Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Gizo and Cebu

For one person, living is cheaper in Cebu: $934 a month against $2,121 in Gizo, rent and utilities included – about $14,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Gizo
🇸🇧 Solomon Islands
$2,121
/mo nomad
Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$934
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Gizo and in Cebu

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,121 in Gizo versus $934 in Cebu.

  • Gizo $2,121
  • Cebu $934

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,041 in Gizo versus $1,415 in Cebu.

  • Gizo $3,041
  • Cebu $1,415

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,960 in Gizo versus $1,896 in Cebu.

  • Gizo $3,960
  • Cebu $1,896

Living in Gizo is roughly 127% more expensive than in Cebu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Gizo is 58% above, Cebu is 30% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gizo
Cebu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.15 SBD 25.41
$3.03 ₱191
3.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$56.5 SBD 456
$23.48 ₱1,476
140.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$15.76 SBD 127
$4.09 ₱257
285.33%
Cappuccino
$2.76 SBD 22.26
$2.52 ₱158
9.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.26 SBD 10.17
$1.54 ₱97.2
-18.18%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25 SBD 10.10
$0.49 ₱31.06
155.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.55 SBD 20.62
$1.79 ₱113
42.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53 SBD 20.44
$2.26 ₱142
11.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gizo
Cebu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.29 SBD 26.58
$1.95 ₱122
68.72%
White Bread (500g)
$1.32 SBD 10.66
$1.43 ₱89.9
-7.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.40 SBD 11.33
$1.02 ₱64.0
37.25%
Eggs
$7.24 SBD 58.5
$2.06 ₱129
251.46%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.64 SBD 69.8
$9.81 ₱617
-11.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.33 SBD 51.1
$4.61 ₱290
37.31%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.74 SBD 70.6
$7.70 ₱484
13.51%
Apples (1kg)
$6.88 SBD 55.6
$3.31 ₱208
107.85%
Banana (1kg)
$6.01 SBD 48.52
$1.45 ₱91.2
314.48%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.33 SBD 51.2
$2.36 ₱148
168.22%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.04 SBD 24.57
$1.54 ₱96.6
97.40%
Potato (1kg)
$3.03 SBD 24.50
$2.36 ₱148
28.39%
Onion (1kg)
$2.41 SBD 19.50
$1.99 ₱125
21.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 SBD 19.62
$1.15 ₱72.3
111.30%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.33 SBD 10.77
$0.67 ₱42.26
98.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27 SBD 34.51
$3.00 ₱189
42.33%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.57 SBD 102
$6.35 ₱399
97.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.89 SBD 15.25
$1.31 ₱82.1
44.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 SBD 17.68
$1.73 ₱109
26.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Gizo
Cebu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.39 SBD 3.12
$0.25 ₱15.82
56.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.04 SBD 251
$12.65 ₱796
145.38%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.23 SBD 9.91
$0.74 ₱46.44
66.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.45 SBD 19.77
$0.21 ₱13.15
1066.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.41 SBD 100
$4.33 ₱272
186.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.77 SBD 14.26
$1.33 ₱83.7
33.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.6K SBD 166.4K
$21.8K ₱1.4M
-5.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.5K SBD 173.5K
$19.4K ₱1.2M
10.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gizo
Cebu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$756 SBD 6,110
$121 ₱7,583
527.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.69 SBD 111
$14.45 ₱909
-5.26%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$125 SBD 1,009
$28.29 ₱1,779
341.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gizo
Cebu
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$18.41 SBD 149
$32.68 ₱2,055
-43.67%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.05 SBD 48.89
$6.39 ₱402
-5.32%
Cinema Ticket
$4.39 SBD 35.44
$5.46 ₱343
-19.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gizo
Cebu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$121 SBD 981
$273 ₱17.2K
-55.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,253 SBD 10.1K
$8,156 ₱512.9K
-84.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gizo
Cebu
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.88 SBD 201
$49.57 ₱3,117
-49.81%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$92.0 SBD 743
$24.87 ₱1,564
269.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 SBD 809
$76.6 ₱4,817
30.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.5 SBD 731
$59.3 ₱3,727
52.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gizo
Cebu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$608 SBD 4,910
$506 ₱31.8K
20.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$594 SBD 4,801
$309 ₱19.5K
92.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$618 SBD 4,993
$1,052 ₱66.1K
-41.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,234 SBD 9,968
$619 ₱38.9K
99.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$86.8K SBD 700.9K
$2,915 ₱183.4K
2875.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,867 ₱117.4K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gizo
Cebu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$395 SBD 3,194
$341 ₱21.5K
15.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
16.33
7.2
126.81%

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

Last update for Gizo: October 4, 2026

Last update for Cebu: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gizo
$895
Cebu
$163 81.7% $732
Accommodation & Living
Gizo
$594
Cebu
$309 47.9% $285
Groceries & Markets
Gizo
$354
Cebu
$210 40.6% $144
Clothing & Footwear
Gizo
$138
Cebu
$95 31.6% $44
Eating Out
Gizo
$133
Cebu
$88 33.7% $45
Getting Around
Gizo
$46
Cebu
$15 66.5% $31
Sport & Entertainment
Gizo
$27
Cebu
$44 60.4% $16

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $608 in Gizo and $506 in Cebu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Gizo pays 16% 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: $56.0 in Gizo vs $23.00 in Cebu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $354 vs $210 per month, with Cebu cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇸🇧 Gizo
🇵🇭 Cebu
🕒 Local time
15:54 3:54 PM
12:54 12:54 PM
3 h behind Gizo
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
7,177
964,169
Exchange rates and currency converter

PHP, USD, EUR to SBD – Solomon Islands Dollar Converter

Solomon Islands Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 8.08 SBD (1 SBD = 0.124 USD). 1 EUR = 9.06 SBD (1 SBD = 0.11 EUR).

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 62.89 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.54 PHP (100 PHP = 1.42 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Gizo Cebu 4,170 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Gizo
  • Cebu

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
Gizo vs Cebu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cebu cheaper than Gizo?
Cebu is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, utilities, and clothing. The 127% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Gizo or Cebu?
Average pay runs 16% higher in Gizo, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Gizo and Cebu?
Rent for a central apartment: $608 in Gizo versus $506 in Cebu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Gizo and in Cebu?
All in, you'll spend $2,121 per month in Gizo versus $934 in Cebu – a 127% 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 Cebu runs roughly 145% less than in Gizo. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Gizo or in Cebu?
At $934 in Cebu versus $2,121 in Gizo, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Cebu but tight or insufficient in Gizo. The gap between the two cities makes Cebu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Gizo or Cebu more family-friendly?
For families, Cebu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Gizo, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Gizo or Cebu?
Safety-wise, Gizo and Cebu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Cebu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 127% less than in Gizo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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