Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Imus and Baguio

For one person, living is cheaper in Imus: $647 a month against $757 in Baguio, rent and utilities included – about $1,300 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Baguio outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Imus
🇵🇭 Philippines
$647
/mo nomad
Baguio
🇵🇭 Philippines
$757
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Imus and in Baguio

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $647 in Imus versus $757 in Baguio.

  • Imus $647
  • Baguio $757

Estimated couple costs with rent: $965 in Imus versus $1,171 in Baguio.

  • Imus $965
  • Baguio $1,171

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,283 in Imus versus $1,585 in Baguio.

  • Imus $1,283
  • Baguio $1,585

Living in Imus costs roughly 14% less than in Baguio, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in leisure.

Both cities sit below the global median: Imus 52% lower, Baguio 44% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Imus
Baguio
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.96 ₱249
$4.04 ₱255
-1.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.00 ₱1,070
$16.77 ₱1,056
1.37%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.85 ₱179
$2.85 ₱180
-
Cappuccino
$1.86 ₱117
$1.86 ₱117
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56 ₱35.19
$0.59 ₱37.34
-5.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 ₱20.78
$0.30 ₱19.17
10.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.02 ₱64.2
$0.97 ₱61.3
5.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70 ₱107
$1.57 ₱98.9
8.28%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Imus
Baguio
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.68 ₱106
$1.69 ₱106
-0.59%
White Bread (500g)
$1.13 ₱71.0
$1.12 ₱70.7
0.89%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.03 ₱64.7
$0.96 ₱60.5
7.29%
Eggs
$2.08 ₱131
$2.03 ₱128
2.46%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.18 ₱326
$5.22 ₱329
-0.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.33 ₱210
$3.34 ₱210
-0.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.85 ₱494
$8.04 ₱506
-2.36%
Apples (1kg)
$2.27 ₱143
$2.31 ₱145
-1.73%
Banana (1kg)
$1.60 ₱101
$1.59 ₱100
0.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.35 ₱148
$2.35 ₱148
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.78 ₱112
$1.08 ₱67.7
64.81%
Potato (1kg)
$1.72 ₱108
$1.69 ₱107
1.78%
Onion (1kg)
$1.73 ₱109
$1.76 ₱111
-1.70%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.66 ₱41.73
$0.62 ₱38.85
6.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₱31.10
$0.50 ₱31.33
-2.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.14 ₱198
$2.87 ₱181
9.41%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.99 ₱566
$9.00 ₱567
-0.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 ₱71.4
$0.92 ₱57.8
22.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 ₱125
$2.02 ₱127
-1.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Imus
Baguio
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.26 ₱16.16
$0.25 ₱15.84
4.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.94 ₱689
$12.90 ₱812
-15.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.80 ₱50.2
$0.77 ₱48.34
3.90%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.50
$0.23 ₱14.44
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.92 ₱121
$1.93 ₱121
-0.52%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 ₱76.7
$1.25 ₱78.7
-2.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7K ₱1.4M
$21.5K ₱1.4M
0.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.5K ₱1.2M
$19.0K ₱1.2M
2.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Imus
Baguio
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$123 ₱7,715
$138 ₱8,682
-11.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.62 ₱983
$17.71 ₱1,115
-11.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.34 ₱1,469
$23.76 ₱1,496
-1.77%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Imus
Baguio
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$27.55 ₱1,735
$21.05 ₱1,325
30.88%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.07 ₱319
$5.19 ₱327
-2.31%
Cinema Ticket
$5.29 ₱333
$5.30 ₱334
-0.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Imus
Baguio
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$134 ₱8,428
$135 ₱8,486
-0.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,820 ₱555.3K
$10.7K ₱673.8K
-17.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Imus
Baguio
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.14 ₱1,834
$28.76 ₱1,811
1.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.72 ₱1,241
$19.76 ₱1,244
-0.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.7 ₱4,574
$71.1 ₱4,479
2.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$54.8 ₱3,453
$56.4 ₱3,551
-2.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Imus
Baguio
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$122 ₱7,660
$409 ₱25.8K
-70.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$99.7 ₱6,274
$200 ₱12.6K
-50.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$202 ₱12.7K
$836 ₱52.6K
-75.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$166 ₱10.4K
$466 ₱29.3K
-64.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,138 ₱134.6K
$2,647 ₱166.7K
-19.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,101 ₱69.3K
$930 ₱58.6K
18.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Imus
Baguio
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$172 ₱10.8K
$182 ₱11.4K
-5.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.75
6.75
-

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

Last update for Imus: October 12, 2026

Last update for Baguio: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Imus
$180
Baguio
$176 2.4% $4.2
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Imus
$161
Baguio
$179 11.1% $18
Accommodation & Living
Imus
$100
Baguio
$200 100% $100
Clothing & Footwear
Imus
$79
Baguio
$79 0.2% $0.1
Eating Out
Imus
$75
Baguio
$75 0.4% $0.3
Sport & Entertainment
Imus
$38
Baguio
$32 17% $6.5
Getting Around
Imus
$14
Baguio
$16 13.7% $1.9

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $122 in Imus and $409 in Baguio. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Baguio pays 6% 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: $17.00 in Imus vs $17.00 in Baguio. Groceries flip the comparison at $180 vs $176, with Baguio cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Imus
🇵🇭 Baguio
🕒 Local time
16:01 4:01 PM
16:01 4:01 PM
Same time as Imus
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
496,794
366,358
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 20, 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
  • Imus Baguio 220 km
From you
  • Imus
  • Baguio

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
Imus vs Baguio: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Imus or Baguio?
Imus wins on cost – living expenses run 17% lower than in Baguio. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Imus the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Imus or in Baguio?
On paper, salaries run 6% lower in Baguio. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Imus compared to Baguio?
Rent for a central apartment: $122 in Imus versus $409 in Baguio. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Imus compared to Baguio?
All in, you'll spend $647 per month in Imus versus $757 in Baguio – a 17% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Imus compared to Baguio?
A monthly transit pass in Imus runs roughly 18% less than in Baguio. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Imus or in Baguio?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Imus gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Imus or Baguio?
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.
How safe is Imus compared to Baguio?
Safety-wise, Imus and Baguio 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Imus gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Baguio. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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