Cost of Living Comparison Between Lapu-Lapu and Cazin Cost of Living Comparison Between Lapu-Lapu and Cazin

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $853 in Lapu-Lapu versus $849 in Cazin.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,208 in Lapu-Lapu versus $1,299 in Cazin.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,563 in Lapu-Lapu versus $1,750 in Cazin.

Living in Lapu-Lapu is roughly 1% more expensive than in Cazin, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities sit below the global median: Lapu-Lapu 38% lower, Cazin 38% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.99 ₱187
$4.78 BAM 8.07
-37.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.95 ₱997
$23.76 BAM 40.06
-32.87%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.07 ₱254
$9.12 BAM 15.38
-55.37%
Cappuccino
$2.47 ₱154
$1.16 BAM 1.95
112.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58 ₱35.98
$1.85 BAM 3.13
-68.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ₱22.03
$1.26 BAM 2.12
-72.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.25 ₱78.5
$1.66 BAM 2.79
-24.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30 ₱144
$2.63 BAM 4.44
-12.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 ₱108
$1.29 BAM 2.17
33.33%
White Bread (500g)
$1.40 ₱87.4
$1.19 BAM 2.00
17.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.98 ₱61.5
$2.28 BAM 3.84
-57.02%
Eggs
$2.05 ₱128
$2.22 BAM 3.74
-7.66%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.56 ₱347
$10.40 BAM 17.53
-46.54%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.55 ₱285
$7.38 BAM 12.45
-38.35%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.58 ₱474
$14.85 BAM 25.04
-48.96%
Apples (1kg)
$3.38 ₱211
$1.50 BAM 2.53
125.33%
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 ₱88.6
$1.76 BAM 2.98
-19.32%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.41 ₱151
$1.73 BAM 2.92
39.31%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.0
$1.68 BAM 2.84
-10.71%
Potato (1kg)
$2.39 ₱149
$0.99 BAM 1.68
141.41%
Onion (1kg)
$1.92 ₱120
$1.20 BAM 2.02
60.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.24 ₱77.6
$1.16 BAM 1.96
6.90%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 ₱41.57
$0.70 BAM 1.19
-5.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.59 ₱99.2
$4.06 BAM 6.84
-60.84%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.90 ₱244
$8.32 BAM 14.03
-53.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04 ₱65.1
$0.90 BAM 1.51
15.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52 ₱94.8
$1.15 BAM 1.94
32.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.23 ₱14.38
$1.77 BAM 2.98
-87.01%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$37.72 BAM 63.6
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 ₱50.5
$1.76 BAM 2.96
-53.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.39
$1.00 BAM 1.68
-77.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.76 ₱235
$8.64 BAM 14.57
-56.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 ₱80.0
$1.64 BAM 2.77
-21.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K ₱1.4M
$24.7K BAM 41.7K
-12.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.5K ₱1.2M
$24.2K BAM 40.8K
-19.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$124 ₱7,732
$118 BAM 199
4.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.71 ₱920
$14.53 BAM 24.51
1.24%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.39 ₱1,775
$29.29 BAM 49.40
-3.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$13.06 ₱817
$25.35 BAM 42.75
-48.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$29.21 BAM 49.27
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.59 ₱350
$4.41 BAM 7.44
26.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$104 ₱6,528
$217 BAM 367
-51.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,983 ₱499.2K
$3,971 BAM 6,698
101.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.30 ₱3,020
$42.35 BAM 71.4
14.05%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.03 ₱1,565
$29.90 BAM 50.4
-16.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$24.07 ₱1,505
$50.4 BAM 84.9
-52.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.7 ₱3,673
$80.4 BAM 136
-26.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$434 ₱27.2K
$239 BAM 403
81.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$314 ₱19.7K
$180 BAM 304
74.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,266 ₱79.2K
$376 BAM 634
236.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$482 ₱30.2K
$281 BAM 474
71.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,338 BAM 2,257
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,149 BAM 1,939
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lapu-Lapu
Cazin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$230 ₱14.4K
$724 BAM 1,221
-68.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.2
4.08
76.47%

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

Last update for Lapu-Lapu: September 1, 2026

Last update for Cazin: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $434 in Lapu-Lapu and $239 in Cazin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Cazin pays 215% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $16.00 in Lapu-Lapu vs $24.00 in Cazin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $188 vs $231 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 ($853 vs $849 including rent). Cazin 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 215% 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: $434 in Lapu-Lapu versus $239 in Cazin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Lapu-Lapu pay roughly 23% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Lapu-Lapu or Cazin?
All in, you'll spend $853 per month in Lapu-Lapu versus $849 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 Cazin 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 Cazin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Lapu-Lapu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Lapu-Lapu vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities