Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Dhaka and Tacloban

For one person, living is cheaper in Dhaka: $406 a month against $773 in Tacloban, rent and utilities included – about $4,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Dhaka
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
$406
/mo nomad
Tacloban
🇵🇭 Philippines
$773
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Dhaka and in Tacloban

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Dhaka and in Tacloban actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $406 in Dhaka versus $773 in Tacloban.

  • Dhaka $406
  • Tacloban $773

Estimated couple costs with rent: $687 in Dhaka versus $1,160 in Tacloban.

  • Dhaka $687
  • Tacloban $1,160

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $969 in Dhaka versus $1,548 in Tacloban.

  • Dhaka $969
  • Tacloban $1,548

Living in Dhaka costs roughly 48% less than in Tacloban, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Dhaka 70% lower, Tacloban 43% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dhaka
Tacloban
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.28 ৳282
$3.06 ₱193
-25.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.33 ৳1,523
$15.80 ₱995
-21.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.95 ৳488
$2.36 ₱149
67.37%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.48 ৳554
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.13 ৳510
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.28 ৳281
$2.41 ₱152
-5.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 ৳40.88
$0.66 ₱41.55
-50.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16 ৳19.86
$0.37 ₱23.54
-56.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.56 ₱98.2
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.21 ₱139
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dhaka
Tacloban
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.85 ৳104
$2.03 ₱128
-58.13%
White Bread (500g)
$0.60 ৳74.5
$1.17 ₱73.9
-48.72%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.69 ৳85.4
$0.90 ₱56.7
-23.33%
Eggs
$1.23 ৳152
$1.95 ₱123
-36.92%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.80 ৳1,087
$10.00 ₱629
-12.00%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.33 ৳412
$4.34 ₱273
-23.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.63 ৳819
$7.20 ₱453
-7.92%
Apples (1kg)
$2.85 ৳352
$3.47 ₱218
-17.87%
Banana (1kg)
$0.90 ৳111
$1.10 ₱69.0
-18.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.34 ৳289
$2.32 ₱146
0.86%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.63 ৳78.4
$1.48 ₱93.5
-57.43%
Potato (1kg)
$0.24 ৳29.59
$2.36 ₱149
-89.83%
Onion (1kg)
$0.46 ৳57.3
$1.92 ₱121
-76.04%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.35 ৳42.79
$1.14 ₱71.9
-69.30%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28 ৳34.24
$0.64 ₱40.22
-56.25%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$12.11 ৳1,496
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$5.31 ৳656
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.42 ৳794
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.28 ৳405
$1.95 ₱123
68.21%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$6.23 ₱392
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.13 ₱71.0
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.66 ₱104
-
🚌 Getting Around
Dhaka
Tacloban
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.42 ৳52.3
$0.27 ₱17.05
55.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$22.43 ৳2,772
$11.05 ₱696
102.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.19 ৳147
$0.78 ₱49.11
52.56%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.39 ৳48.71
$0.23 ₱14.54
69.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.28 ৳406
$1.87 ₱118
75.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.10 ৳136
$0.99 ₱62.1
11.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.4K ৳3.6M
$21.2K ₱1.3M
38.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K ৳4.0M
$19.6K ₱1.2M
63.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dhaka
Tacloban
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$38.28 ৳4,729
$120 ₱7,542
-68.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.09 ৳506
$14.07 ₱886
-70.93%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.02 ৳1,114
$27.83 ₱1,752
-67.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dhaka
Tacloban
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$13.66 ৳1,688
$32.70 ₱2,059
-58.23%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.21 ৳1,261
$4.69 ₱295
117.70%
Cinema Ticket
$4.11 ৳508
$5.73 ₱361
-28.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dhaka
Tacloban
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$90.7 ৳11.2K
$134 ₱8,419
-32.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,591 ৳320.2K
$8,021 ₱505.0K
-67.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dhaka
Tacloban
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.06 ৳2,108
$32.68 ₱2,057
-47.80%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.38 ৳2,641
$19.29 ₱1,214
10.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$51.4 ৳6,355
$76.2 ₱4,797
-32.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.78 ৳4,545
$57.1 ₱3,597
-35.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dhaka
Tacloban
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$133 ৳16.4K
$263 ₱16.5K
-49.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$65.1 ৳8,041
$191 ₱12.0K
-65.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$377 ৳46.6K
$523 ₱32.9K
-27.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$192 ৳23.8K
$360 ₱22.7K
-46.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,621 ৳200.3K
$2,393 ₱150.6K
-32.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$760 ৳93.9K
$976 ₱61.5K
-22.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dhaka
Tacloban
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$246 ৳30.4K
$347 ₱21.9K
-29.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.48
7.2
45.56%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Dhaka: October 10, 2026

Last update for Tacloban: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Dhaka
$124
Tacloban
$202 63.3% $78
Accommodation & Living
Dhaka
$65
Tacloban
$191 194% $126
Eating Out
Dhaka
$59
Tacloban
$77 29.3% $17
Clothing & Footwear
Dhaka
$57
Tacloban
$83 46.3% $26
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dhaka
$51
Tacloban
$162 215% $110
Getting Around
Dhaka
$27
Tacloban
$14 48.4% $13
Sport & Entertainment
Dhaka
$22
Tacloban
$44 102% $22

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $133 in Dhaka and $263 in Tacloban. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Tacloban pays 41% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $12.00 in Dhaka vs $16.00 in Tacloban for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $124 vs $202 per month, with Dhaka cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇧🇩 Dhaka
🇵🇭 Tacloban
🕒 Local time
02:54 2:54 AM
04:54 4:54 AM
2 h ahead of Dhaka
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
21,741,000 Capital
242,089
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PHP, USD, EUR to BDT – Bangladeshi Taka Converter

Bangladeshi Taka exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 124 BDT (1,000 BDT = 8.09 USD). 1 EUR = 139 BDT (1,000 BDT = 7.2 EUR).

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 62.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.78 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Dhaka Tacloban 3,910 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Dhaka
  • Tacloban

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Dhaka vs Tacloban: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tacloban cheaper than Dhaka?
Dhaka is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 91% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Dhaka or Tacloban?
On paper, salaries run 41% lower in Tacloban. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Dhaka and Tacloban?
Rent for a central apartment: $133 in Dhaka versus $263 in Tacloban. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Dhaka and in Tacloban?
All in, you'll spend $406 per month in Dhaka versus $773 in Tacloban – a 91% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Dhaka runs roughly 103% less than in Tacloban. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,000 enough for either Dhaka or Tacloban?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Dhaka gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Dhaka or in Tacloban?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Dhaka gentler on the wallet – expenses run 91% less than in Tacloban. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Dhaka vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?