Cost of Living Comparison Between Magallanes, Cavite and Cebu Cost of Living Comparison Between Magallanes, Cavite and Cebu

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $768 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $867 in Cebu.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,193 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $1,349 in Cebu.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,617 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $1,832 in Cebu.

Living in Magallanes, Cavite costs roughly 11% less than in Cebu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Magallanes, Cavite 43% lower, Cebu 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.64 ₱221
$4.40 ₱267
-17.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.06 ₱1,097
$23.84 ₱1,448
-24.24%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.22 ₱195
$4.50 ₱273
-28.44%
Cappuccino
$2.48 ₱150
$2.65 ₱161
-6.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 ₱46.38
$0.80 ₱48.45
-5.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 ₱22.17
$0.42 ₱25.44
-11.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.36 ₱82.4
$1.51 ₱91.8
-9.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 ₱130
$2.15 ₱131
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.91 ₱116
$2.22 ₱135
-13.96%
White Bread (500g)
$1.28 ₱77.4
$1.53 ₱92.9
-16.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.94 ₱56.8
$1.12 ₱68.3
-16.07%
Eggs
$2.10 ₱128
$2.31 ₱140
-9.09%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.81 ₱474
$13.06 ₱793
-40.20%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.33 ₱263
$5.38 ₱327
-19.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.66 ₱465
$7.76 ₱471
-1.29%
Apples (1kg)
$2.84 ₱173
$3.63 ₱220
-21.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 ₱96.7
$1.50 ₱91.1
6.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.71 ₱164
$3.42 ₱207
-20.76%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.61 ₱98.0
$2.17 ₱132
-25.81%
Potato (1kg)
$2.22 ₱135
$2.53 ₱154
-12.25%
Onion (1kg)
$2.62 ₱159
$2.44 ₱148
7.38%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10 ₱66.8
$1.00 ₱60.8
10.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 ₱43.63
$0.79 ₱48.14
-8.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.79 ₱170
$3.26 ₱198
-14.42%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.21 ₱559
$6.30 ₱383
46.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15 ₱69.9
$1.15 ₱69.7
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 ₱125
$2.30 ₱140
-10.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.28 ₱17.12
$0.28 ₱17.03
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$15.06 ₱914
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱46.60
$0.83 ₱50.5
-7.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.22 ₱13.28
$0.23 ₱13.85
-4.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.10 ₱127
$2.71 ₱165
-22.51%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13 ₱68.8
$1.09 ₱66.3
3.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K ₱1.6M
$30.5K ₱1.9M
-12.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.8K ₱1.3M
$27.1K ₱1.6M
-23.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$115 ₱6,962
$97.2 ₱5,900
18.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.75 ₱1,988
$34.37 ₱2,087
-4.71%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.42 ₱1,665
$30.15 ₱1,831
-9.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.78 ₱2,051
$33.14 ₱2,012
1.93%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.48 ₱272
$8.25 ₱501
-45.70%
Cinema Ticket
$5.84 ₱354
$5.84 ₱355
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$150 ₱9,111
$228 ₱13.8K
-34.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,283 ₱260.1K
$3,923 ₱238.2K
9.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.80 ₱2,781
$51.7 ₱3,140
-11.45%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.49 ₱1,609
$22.99 ₱1,396
15.22%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.1 ₱4,498
$75.2 ₱4,567
-1.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.5 ₱3,187
$56.4 ₱3,422
-6.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$263 ₱16.0K
$511 ₱31.0K
-48.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$177 ₱10.8K
$210 ₱12.7K
-15.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$583 ₱35.4K
$787 ₱47.8K
-25.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$395 ₱24.0K
$391 ₱23.7K
1.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,414 ₱146.6K
$2,948 ₱179.0K
-18.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$987 ₱59.9K
$1,906 ₱115.7K
-48.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$378 ₱23.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.67
8
-16.63%

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

Last update for Magallanes, Cavite: June 7, 2026

Last update for Cebu: June 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $263 in Magallanes, Cavite and $511 in Cebu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $18.00 in Magallanes, Cavite vs $24.00 in Cebu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $208 vs $241 per month, with Magallanes, Cavite 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
Magallanes, Cavite vs Cebu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cebu cheaper than Magallanes, Cavite?
Magallanes, Cavite is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 13% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,152 in Magallanes, Cavite and $1,300 in Cebu to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Magallanes, Cavite and Cebu?
Rent for a central apartment: $263 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $511 in Cebu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Magallanes, Cavite and Cebu?
Supermarket bills run roughly 16% higher in Cebu. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Magallanes, Cavite vs Cebu?
All in, you'll spend $768 per month in Magallanes, Cavite versus $867 in Cebu – a 13% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Magallanes, Cavite or Cebu?
At $768 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $867 in Cebu, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Magallanes, Cavite but tight or insufficient in Cebu. The gap between the two cities makes Magallanes, Cavite the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Magallanes, Cavite or Cebu more family-friendly?
For families, Magallanes, Cavite is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cebu, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Magallanes, Cavite or Cebu?
Safety-wise, Magallanes, Cavite and Cebu 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 Magallanes, Cavite gentler on the wallet – expenses run 13% less than in Cebu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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