Cost of Living Comparison Between Maasin City and Makati Cost of Living Comparison Between Maasin City and Makati

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $791 in Maasin City versus $1,232 in Makati.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,249 in Maasin City versus $2,009 in Makati.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,708 in Maasin City versus $2,786 in Makati.

Living in Maasin City costs roughly 36% less than in Makati, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Maasin City 41% lower, Makati 8% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maasin City
Makati
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.44 ₱274
$6.80 ₱419
-34.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.06 ₱1,484
$45.15 ₱2,784
-46.71%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.48 ₱276
$4.93 ₱304
-9.13%
Cappuccino
$2.53 ₱156
$2.87 ₱177
-11.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 ₱48.06
$1.19 ₱73.5
-34.45%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 ₱27.92
$0.56 ₱34.76
-19.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.57 ₱96.7
$2.44 ₱151
-35.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 ₱132
$3.66 ₱225
-41.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maasin City
Makati
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.13 ₱132
$2.14 ₱132
-0.47%
White Bread (500g)
$0.91 ₱56.4
$1.43 ₱88.4
-36.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.94 ₱57.9
$1.08 ₱66.5
-12.96%
Eggs
$2.07 ₱128
$2.34 ₱144
-11.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.09 ₱807
$8.16 ₱503
60.42%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.16 ₱318
$4.43 ₱273
16.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.51 ₱463
$7.64 ₱471
-1.70%
Apples (1kg)
$1.79 ₱111
$4.57 ₱282
-60.83%
Banana (1kg)
$0.68 ₱41.67
$1.92 ₱118
-64.58%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.74 ₱107
$2.70 ₱166
-35.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.21 ₱136
$2.25 ₱139
-1.78%
Potato (1kg)
$2.64 ₱163
$3.29 ₱203
-19.76%
Onion (1kg)
$2.46 ₱152
$2.86 ₱177
-13.99%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.97 ₱60.1
$1.08 ₱66.8
-10.19%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79 ₱48.53
$0.99 ₱61.3
-20.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.23 ₱199
$2.94 ₱181
9.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.49 ₱400
$8.28 ₱511
-21.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.21 ₱74.3
$1.20 ₱74.1
0.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31 ₱142
$2.34 ₱144
-1.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Maasin City
Makati
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.28 ₱17.32
$0.51 ₱31.71
-45.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$3.58 ₱221
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 ₱50.3
$0.81 ₱50.0
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.23 ₱14.17
$0.12 ₱7.44
91.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.61 ₱161
$3.58 ₱221
-27.09%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.09 ₱67.4
$1.10 ₱67.8
-0.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K ₱1.9M
$34.3K ₱2.1M
-11.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0K ₱1.7M
$21.5K ₱1.3M
25.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maasin City
Makati
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$97.3 ₱6,002
$172 ₱10.6K
-43.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.36 ₱2,119
$26.94 ₱1,661
27.54%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.35 ₱1,810
$36.49 ₱2,250
-19.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maasin City
Makati
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.45 ₱2,125
$56.0 ₱3,452
-38.47%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.48 ₱276
$11.79 ₱727
-62.00%
Cinema Ticket
$5.96 ₱368
$7.90 ₱487
-24.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maasin City
Makati
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$227 ₱14.0K
$321 ₱19.8K
-29.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,943 ₱243.1K
$7,538 ₱464.8K
-47.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maasin City
Makati
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.63 ₱2,814
$60.3 ₱3,717
-24.30%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.46 ₱1,446
$35.62 ₱2,197
-34.14%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$77.2 ₱4,759
$85.6 ₱5,277
-9.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$56.3 ₱3,473
$122 ₱7,516
-53.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maasin City
Makati
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$267 ₱16.5K
$666 ₱41.1K
-59.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$173 ₱10.7K
$390 ₱24.0K
-55.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$592 ₱36.5K
$2,260 ₱139.4K
-73.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$397 ₱24.5K
$1,024 ₱63.1K
-61.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,802 ₱172.8K
$6,010 ₱370.6K
-53.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,091 ₱67.3K
$3,852 ₱237.5K
-71.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maasin City
Makati
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$132 ₱8,129
$682 ₱42.0K
-80.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8
6.67
19.94%

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

Last update for Maasin City: May 30, 2026

Last update for Makati: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $267 in Maasin City and $666 in Makati. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Makati pays 417% 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: $24.00 in Maasin City vs $45.00 in Makati for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $211 vs $234 per month, with Maasin City 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
Maasin City vs Makati: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Makati cheaper than Maasin City?
Maasin City is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 56% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Maasin City or Makati?
On paper, Makati earns 417% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Maasin City and Makati?
Rent for a central apartment: $267 in Maasin City versus $666 in Makati. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Maasin City and Makati?
Supermarket bills run roughly 11% higher in Makati. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Maasin City vs Makati?
All in, you'll spend $791 per month in Maasin City versus $1,232 in Makati – a 56% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Maasin City or Makati?
At $791 in Maasin City versus $1,232 in Makati, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Maasin City but tight or insufficient in Makati. The gap between the two cities makes Maasin City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Maasin City or Makati more family-friendly?
For families, Maasin City is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Makati, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Maasin City or Makati?
Safety-wise, Maasin City and Makati 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Maasin City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 56% less than in Makati. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Maasin City vs other spots: cost of living compared

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