Cost of Living Comparison Between Legazpi and Makati Cost of Living Comparison Between Legazpi and Makati

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $766 per month in Legazpi vs $1,204 in Makati, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,183 per month in Legazpi vs $2,023 in Makati, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,601 per month in Legazpi vs $2,841 in Makati, rent included.

Legazpi is about 36% cheaper than Makati, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Legazpi and Makati are more affordable than the global median – Legazpi 43% lower, Makati 10% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.53 ₱218
$6.69 ₱412
-47.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.01 ₱1,481
$44.22 ₱2,728
-45.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.04 ₱187
$4.88 ₱301
-37.70%
Cappuccino
$2.20 ₱136
$2.93 ₱181
-24.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 ₱25.83
$1.19 ₱73.7
-64.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 ₱20.52
$0.56 ₱34.78
-41.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.95 ₱58.7
$2.42 ₱150
-60.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58 ₱221
$3.62 ₱223
-1.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.73 ₱107
$2.20 ₱136
-21.36%
White Bread (500g)
$1.32 ₱81.2
$1.49 ₱92.0
-11.41%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.99 ₱60.9
$1.07 ₱65.7
-7.48%
Eggs
$2.18 ₱134
$2.34 ₱144
-6.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.42 ₱766
$8.19 ₱505
51.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.93 ₱243
$4.42 ₱273
-11.09%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.29 ₱450
$7.71 ₱475
-5.45%
Apples (1kg)
$2.96 ₱182
$4.36 ₱269
-32.11%
Banana (1kg)
$2.08 ₱128
$2.00 ₱123
4.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.45 ₱213
$2.57 ₱159
34.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.73 ₱106
$2.23 ₱138
-22.42%
Potato (1kg)
$2.71 ₱167
$3.45 ₱213
-21.45%
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 ₱111
$2.86 ₱176
-37.06%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.74 ₱107
$1.14 ₱70.0
52.63%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85 ₱52.4
$1.02 ₱62.7
-16.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.47 ₱276
$2.84 ₱175
57.39%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.09 ₱499
$8.12 ₱501
-0.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18 ₱72.8
$1.25 ₱77.1
-5.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 ₱213
$2.32 ₱143
48.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.22 ₱13.50
$0.54 ₱33.40
-59.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$3.64 ₱225
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.67 ₱41.43
$0.78 ₱48.35
-14.10%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.27 ₱16.69
$0.11 ₱6.49
145.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.67 ₱165
$3.65 ₱225
-26.85%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 ₱76.3
$1.10 ₱67.9
12.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1K ₱1.6M
$33.4K ₱2.1M
-21.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7K ₱1.3M
$21.5K ₱1.3M
-3.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$149 ₱9,166
$171 ₱10.5K
-12.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.09 ₱1,486
$26.96 ₱1,663
-10.65%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.27 ₱2,175
$35.97 ₱2,219
-1.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.30 ₱2,054
$55.6 ₱3,430
-40.12%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.46 ₱275
$11.87 ₱732
-62.43%
Cinema Ticket
$5.26 ₱325
$8.19 ₱505
-35.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$71.4 ₱4,404
$322 ₱19.9K
-77.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,398 ₱271.3K
$7,811 ₱481.8K
-43.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.64 ₱2,815
$58.8 ₱3,628
-22.39%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.76 ₱1,650
$35.76 ₱2,206
-25.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.1 ₱4,446
$83.9 ₱5,174
-14.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.1 ₱4,445
$123 ₱7,612
-41.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$162 ₱9,977
$667 ₱41.2K
-75.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$108 ₱6,632
$403 ₱24.8K
-73.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$379 ₱23.4K
$2,307 ₱142.3K
-83.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$224 ₱13.8K
$1,015 ₱62.6K
-77.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,297 ₱141.7K
$6,283 ₱387.5K
-63.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$3,903 ₱240.8K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$278 ₱17.2K
$712 ₱43.9K
-60.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.12
6.67
51.72%

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

Last update for Legazpi: April 28, 2026

Last update for Makati: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $162 in Legazpi versus $667 in Makati. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 156% higher in Makati, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $24.00 in Legazpi versus $44.00 in Makati. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $230 vs $236 – making Legazpi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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
Legazpi vs Makati: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Legazpi and Makati compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $766 in Legazpi, $1,204 in Makati – roughly 57% apart. Makati costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Legazpi compared to Makati?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,149 per month in Legazpi and $1,807 in Makati. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Legazpi and Makati?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Legazpi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Legazpi or Makati?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $766 in Legazpi and $1,204 in Makati. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Legazpi and Makati?
Kindergarten costs $71.4 per month in Legazpi and $322 in Makati. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Legazpi, where all-in costs run around $766, than in Makati at $1,204. In Legazpi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Makati it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Legazpi and Makati?
It depends on your priorities. Makati has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $766 in Legazpi to $1,204 in Makati. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Legazpi or Makati safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Legazpi and Makati?
If budget matters most, go with Legazpi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Makati makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Legazpi vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities