🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $842 in Lapu-Lapu versus $850 in Cazin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,328 in Lapu-Lapu versus $1,275 in Cazin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,813 in Lapu-Lapu versus $1,699 in Cazin.
🌍Living in Lapu-Lapu costs roughly 1% less than in Cazin, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Lapu-Lapu37% lower, Cazin36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.53₱279
$4.86BAM 8.29
-6.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.50₱1,077
$23.99BAM 40.98
-27.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.45₱274
$9.01BAM 15.40
-50.61%
Cappuccino
$2.57₱158
$1.15BAM 1.97
123.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79₱48.73
$1.84BAM 3.15
-57.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45₱27.73
$1.25BAM 2.14
-64.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.53₱94.4
$1.65BAM 2.82
-7.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16₱133
$2.39BAM 4.08
-9.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64₱101
$1.21BAM 2.07
35.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.38₱84.8
$1.13BAM 1.92
22.12%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.03₱63.5
$2.04BAM 3.48
-49.51%
Eggs
$2.33₱143
$2.22BAM 3.79
4.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.13₱747
$10.52BAM 17.97
15.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.32₱328
$7.07BAM 12.08
-24.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.81₱481
$13.41BAM 22.92
-41.76%
Apples(1kg)
$3.24₱200
$1.56BAM 2.67
107.69%
Banana(1kg)
$1.38₱84.8
$1.80BAM 3.08
-23.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.47₱152
$1.68BAM 2.87
47.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.19₱135
$1.68BAM 2.88
30.36%
Potato(1kg)
$2.30₱142
$1.08BAM 1.84
112.96%
Onion(1kg)
$1.83₱112
$1.20BAM 2.05
52.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.94₱57.7
$1.22BAM 2.08
-22.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84₱51.6
$0.75BAM 1.27
12.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.79₱110
$3.60BAM 6.15
-50.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.43₱211
$8.08BAM 13.80
-57.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08₱66.4
$1.09BAM 1.86
-0.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27₱140
$1.17BAM 1.99
94.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28₱17.41
$1.73BAM 2.96
-83.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$36.40BAM 62.2
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.86₱53.2
$1.50BAM 2.56
-42.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.23₱14.04
$0.83BAM 1.42
-72.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.65₱163
$8.86BAM 15.14
-70.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.11₱68.3
$1.51BAM 2.58
-26.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9K₱1.5M
$24.0KBAM 41.0K
3.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5K₱2.0M
$26.3KBAM 45.0K
23.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$95.8₱5,899
$118BAM 202
-18.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.78₱1,649
$18.66BAM 31.88
43.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.20₱1,859
$30.01BAM 51.3
0.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.06₱2,774
$25.27BAM 43.17
78.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$1.79₱110
$10.85BAM 18.54
-83.50%
Cinema Ticket
$6.04₱372
$4.29BAM 7.33
40.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$124₱7,629
$258BAM 441
-51.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,779₱109.6K
$3,439BAM 5,875
-48.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.16₱2,903
$41.94BAM 71.7
12.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.64₱1,394
$29.99BAM 51.2
-24.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.4₱4,639
$49.67BAM 84.9
51.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$55.8₱3,436
$80.6BAM 138
-30.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$335₱20.6K
$238BAM 407
40.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239₱14.7K
$179BAM 307
33.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825₱50.8K
$375BAM 641
119.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$508₱31.3K
$281BAM 481
80.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,309BAM 2,237
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,159BAM 1,981
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$235₱14.5K
$712BAM 1,217
-66.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8
3.8
110.53%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lapu-Lapu: July 13, 2026
Last update for Cazin: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $335 in Lapu-Lapu and $238 in Cazin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cazin pays 202% 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 Lapu-Lapu vs $24.00 in Cazin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $216 vs $225 per month, with Lapu-Lapu cheaper across the board.
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
Lapu-Lapu vs Cazin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Lapu-Lapu and in Cazin?
Lapu-Lapu and Cazin differ by about 1% in total monthly costs ($842 vs $850 including rent). Lapu-Lapu 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 202% lower in Cazin. 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 Lapu-Lapu and in Cazin?
Rent for a central apartment: $335 in Lapu-Lapu versus $238 in Cazin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 4% higher in Cazin. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lapu-Lapu or Cazin?
All in, you'll spend $842 per month in Lapu-Lapu versus $850 in Cazin – a 1% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Lapu-Lapu compared to Cazin?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Lapu-Lapu 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 Lapu-Lapu and Cazin?
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 Lapu-Lapu or Cazin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Lapu-Lapu and Cazin 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: Lapu-Lapu or Cazin?
Expats usually find Lapu-Lapu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Cazin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.