🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $839 in Dumaguete versus $928 in Vratsa.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,320 in Dumaguete versus $1,407 in Vratsa.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,801 in Dumaguete versus $1,886 in Vratsa.
🌍Living in Dumaguete costs roughly 10% less than in Vratsa, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Dumaguete37% lower, Vratsa30% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dumaguete
Vratsa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.10₱190
$9.02BGN 15.00
-65.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.40₱882
$29.43BGN 48.97
-51.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.45₱272
$5.87BGN 9.77
-24.19%
Cappuccino
$2.32₱142
$2.39BGN 3.97
-2.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76₱46.58
$1.44BGN 2.39
-47.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40₱24.32
$0.86BGN 1.43
-53.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.08₱66.2
$1.74BGN 2.89
-37.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09₱128
$2.41BGN 4.01
-13.28%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dumaguete
Vratsa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.73₱106
$1.40BGN 2.33
23.57%
White Bread(500g)
$1.48₱90.5
$1.01BGN 1.68
46.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.96₱59.1
$1.34BGN 2.23
-28.36%
Eggs
$1.92₱117
$3.11BGN 5.17
-38.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.50₱582
$9.40BGN 15.64
1.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.26₱322
$5.99BGN 9.97
-12.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.78₱476
$12.00BGN 19.96
-35.17%
Apples(1kg)
$1.75₱107
$1.58BGN 2.63
10.76%
Banana(1kg)
$1.44₱87.9
$1.76BGN 2.93
-18.18%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.02₱246
$1.21BGN 2.01
232.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.45₱88.6
$1.82BGN 3.02
-20.33%
Potato(1kg)
$2.39₱146
$0.98BGN 1.64
143.88%
Onion(1kg)
$2.62₱161
$0.84BGN 1.40
211.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.87₱53.1
$0.89BGN 1.49
-2.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65₱39.76
$0.61BGN 1.01
6.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.60₱159
$3.48BGN 5.79
-25.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.91₱484
$5.32BGN 8.85
48.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.17₱71.4
$1.03BGN 1.72
13.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96₱120
$1.82BGN 3.02
7.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Dumaguete
Vratsa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51₱31.04
$0.57BGN 0.95
-10.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.61₱527
$17.89BGN 29.76
-51.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.82₱50.1
$0.91BGN 1.51
-9.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.27₱16.54
$0.60BGN 1.00
-55.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.93₱56.8
$6.56BGN 10.91
-85.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.10₱67.2
$1.50BGN 2.50
-26.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1K₱1.4M
$32.4KBGN 53.9K
-28.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.0K₱2.4M
$27.8KBGN 46.2K
40.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dumaguete
Vratsa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.3₱4,548
$94.5BGN 157
-21.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$43.56₱2,668
$13.10BGN 21.80
232.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.45₱1,803
$14.50BGN 24.13
103.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dumaguete
Vratsa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.05₱1,412
$23.75BGN 39.52
-2.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.47₱213
$15.04BGN 25.02
-76.93%
Cinema Ticket
$6.44₱395
$6.01BGN 10.00
7.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dumaguete
Vratsa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$70.8₱4,336
$418BGN 695
-83.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,834₱112.3K
$5,475BGN 9,108
-66.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dumaguete
Vratsa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107₱6,550
$60.7BGN 101
76.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.49₱2,173
$35.43BGN 58.9
0.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$111₱6,783
$100BGN 167
10.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.4₱5,109
$106BGN 177
-21.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dumaguete
Vratsa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$239₱14.6K
$261BGN 434
-8.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$211₱12.9K
$269BGN 447
-21.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$440₱26.9K
$463BGN 771
-5.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$415₱25.4K
$417BGN 694
-0.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,079₱188.6K
$1,349BGN 2,244
128.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$697₱42.7K
$1,079BGN 1,794
-35.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dumaguete
Vratsa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$292₱17.9K
$1,102BGN 1,833
-73.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
4.49
44.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dumaguete: July 27, 2026
Last update for Vratsa: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $239 in Dumaguete and $261 in Vratsa. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Vratsa pays 278% 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: $14.00 in Dumaguete vs $29.00 in Vratsa. Groceries flip the comparison at $212 vs $203, with Vratsa cheaper for home cooking.
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
Dumaguete vs Vratsa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Dumaguete and in Vratsa?
Dumaguete and Vratsa differ by about 11% in total monthly costs ($839 vs $928 including rent). Dumaguete is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 278% lower in Vratsa. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Dumaguete and in Vratsa?
Rent for a central apartment: $239 in Dumaguete versus $261 in Vratsa. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Dumaguete or Vratsa?
All in, you'll spend $839 per month in Dumaguete versus $928 in Vratsa – a 11% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Dumaguete and in Vratsa?
A monthly transit pass in Dumaguete runs roughly 108% less than in Vratsa. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Dumaguete compared to Vratsa?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Dumaguete gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Dumaguete and Vratsa?
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.
Is Dumaguete or Vratsa safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Dumaguete and Vratsa are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Dumaguete or Vratsa?
Expats usually find Dumaguete gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Vratsa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.