Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Legazpi and Makati

For one person, living is cheaper in Legazpi: $709 a month against $1,230 in Makati, rent and utilities included – about $6,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Legazpi, Philippines
Makati, Philippines
Legazpi
🇵🇭 Philippines
$709
/mo nomad
Makati
🇵🇭 Philippines
$1,230
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Legazpi and in Makati

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

A single person spends $709 per month in Legazpi vs $1,230 in Makati, rent included.

  • Legazpi $709
  • Makati $1,230

A couple spends around $1,094 per month in Legazpi vs $2,137 in Makati, rent included.

  • Legazpi $1,094
  • Makati $2,137

A family of three spends $1,480 per month in Legazpi vs $3,044 in Makati, rent included.

  • Legazpi $1,480
  • Makati $3,044

Legazpi is about 42% cheaper than Makati, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Legazpi and Makati are more affordable than the global median – Legazpi 48% lower, Makati 10% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.86 ₱245
$6.40 ₱405
-39.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.72 ₱1,060
$38.45 ₱2,437
-56.51%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.83 ₱179
$4.78 ₱303
-40.79%
Cappuccino
$2.19 ₱139
$2.59 ₱164
-15.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ₱40.47
$1.09 ₱69.4
-41.28%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 ₱21.26
$0.49 ₱31.14
-30.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.19 ₱75.2
$2.39 ₱152
-50.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 ₱135
$3.18 ₱201
-33.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.58 ₱100.0
$1.80 ₱114
-12.22%
White Bread (500g)
$1.09 ₱69.0
$1.26 ₱80.2
-13.49%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.95 ₱60.3
$1.03 ₱65.3
-7.77%
Eggs
$2.60 ₱165
$2.37 ₱150
9.70%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.53 ₱351
$6.91 ₱438
-19.97%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.08 ₱259
$4.93 ₱313
-17.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.82 ₱432
$6.74 ₱427
1.19%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 ₱145
$4.12 ₱261
-44.42%
Banana (1kg)
$1.56 ₱98.9
$1.90 ₱121
-17.89%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.41 ₱153
$3.19 ₱202
-24.45%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.17 ₱74.0
$2.25 ₱142
-48.00%
Potato (1kg)
$2.04 ₱129
$3.55 ₱225
-42.54%
Onion (1kg)
$2.27 ₱144
$3.50 ₱222
-35.14%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.08 ₱68.7
$1.07 ₱67.5
0.93%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₱33.75
$1.13 ₱71.3
-53.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.96 ₱188
$2.60 ₱165
13.85%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.39 ₱468
$7.85 ₱498
-5.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04 ₱65.7
$1.29 ₱81.9
-19.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 ₱123
$1.93 ₱123
0.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 ₱11.23
$0.88 ₱56.0
-79.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.82 ₱749
$56.3 ₱3,566
-78.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.75 ₱47.31
$0.65 ₱41.26
15.38%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.59
$0.21 ₱13.27
9.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.83 ₱116
$1.90 ₱121
-3.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 ₱73.4
$1.28 ₱81.0
-9.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.9K ₱1.5M
$20.8K ₱1.3M
14.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.1K ₱1.1M
$18.9K ₱1.2M
-4.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$119 ₱7,517
$151 ₱9,592
-21.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.23 ₱965
$15.59 ₱988
-2.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.18 ₱1,913
$31.38 ₱1,989
-3.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.32 ₱1,985
$53.3 ₱3,376
-41.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.23 ₱331
$14.04 ₱890
-62.75%
Cinema Ticket
$5.23 ₱331
$7.22 ₱458
-27.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$129 ₱8,160
$776 ₱49.2K
-83.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,669 ₱486.1K
$7,391 ₱468.5K
3.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.40 ₱2,054
$59.9 ₱3,795
-45.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.79 ₱1,191
$36.96 ₱2,343
-49.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.5 ₱6,054
$81.0 ₱5,136
17.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$54.5 ₱3,453
$101 ₱6,395
-46.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$193 ₱12.2K
$829 ₱52.5K
-76.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$138 ₱8,767
$429 ₱27.2K
-67.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$515 ₱32.6K
$2,151 ₱136.3K
-76.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$316 ₱20.0K
$1,308 ₱82.9K
-75.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,906 ₱184.2K
$5,714 ₱362.2K
-49.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,050 ₱66.5K
$3,568 ₱226.2K
-70.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Legazpi
Makati
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$264 ₱16.7K
$587 ₱37.2K
-55.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.12
7.5
34.93%

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

Last update for Legazpi: October 26, 2026

Last update for Makati: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Legazpi
$180
Makati
$227 26.4% $47
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Legazpi
$164
Makati
$198 20.9% $34
Accommodation & Living
Legazpi
$138
Makati
$429 210% $290
Clothing & Footwear
Legazpi
$91
Makati
$125 38.5% $35
Eating Out
Legazpi
$80
Makati
$121 52.2% $42
Sport & Entertainment
Legazpi
$42
Makati
$68 62.1% $26
Getting Around
Legazpi
$14
Makati
$61 326% $47

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $193 in Legazpi versus $829 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 in Makati are about 2.2 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $17 in Legazpi versus $38 in Makati. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $180 vs $227 – making Legazpi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Legazpi
🇵🇭 Makati
🕒 Local time
18:48 6:48 PM
18:48 6:48 PM
Same time as Legazpi
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
209,533
582,602
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 63.38 PHP (100 PHP = 1.58 USD). 1 EUR = 70.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Legazpi Makati 330 km
From you
  • Legazpi
  • Makati

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
Legazpi vs Makati: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Legazpi and in Makati compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $709 in Legazpi, $1,230 in Makati – Legazpi comes out roughly 42% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Legazpi compared to Makati?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,063 per month in Legazpi and $1,845 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: a one-bedroom in the center costs $193 there versus $829 in Makati.
Which city is more expensive overall: Legazpi or Makati?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $709 in Legazpi and $1,230 in Makati. That makes Legazpi about 42% cheaper.
How do commuting costs compare in Legazpi and in Makati?
Public transport costs about 79% less in Legazpi. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $1,200 per month?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in Legazpi, where all-in costs run around $709, than in Makati at $1,230. In Legazpi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Makati it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Legazpi or Makati?
Families tend to lean toward Legazpi – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Is Legazpi or Makati safer for residents?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
How do I decide between Legazpi and Makati?
If budget matters most, go with Legazpi. If higher salaries 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

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?