Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Magallanes, Cavite and Cebu

For one person, living is cheaper in Magallanes, Cavite: $713 a month against $934 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $2,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Magallanes, Cavite, Philippines
Cebu, Philippines
Magallanes, Cavite
🇵🇭 Philippines
$713
/mo nomad
Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$934
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Magallanes, Cavite and in Cebu

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $713 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $934 in Cebu.

  • Magallanes, Cavite $713
  • Cebu $934

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,080 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $1,423 in Cebu.

  • Magallanes, Cavite $1,080
  • Cebu $1,423

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,447 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $1,913 in Cebu.

  • Magallanes, Cavite $1,447
  • Cebu $1,913

Living in Magallanes, Cavite costs roughly 24% less than in Cebu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Magallanes, Cavite 48% lower, Cebu 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.64 ₱233
$3.79 ₱242
-3.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.70 ₱939
$23.33 ₱1,491
-36.99%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.80 ₱179
$3.94 ₱252
-28.93%
Cappuccino
$1.96 ₱125
$2.54 ₱163
-22.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57 ₱36.52
$1.57 ₱100
-63.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ₱18.67
$0.47 ₱29.82
-38.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.22 ₱77.8
$1.77 ₱113
-31.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23 ₱142
$2.22 ₱142
0.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.59 ₱102
$1.90 ₱121
-16.32%
White Bread (500g)
$1.11 ₱70.7
$1.36 ₱87.1
-18.38%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.83 ₱53.3
$0.94 ₱59.8
-11.70%
Eggs
$2.07 ₱132
$1.99 ₱127
4.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.95 ₱316
$9.70 ₱620
-48.97%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.16 ₱266
$4.32 ₱276
-3.70%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.04 ₱450
$7.51 ₱480
-6.26%
Apples (1kg)
$2.60 ₱166
$3.31 ₱211
-21.45%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 ₱97.8
$1.37 ₱87.5
11.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.39 ₱152
$2.34 ₱149
2.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.99 ₱63.0
$1.49 ₱95.4
-33.56%
Potato (1kg)
$2.12 ₱136
$2.30 ₱147
-7.83%
Onion (1kg)
$2.53 ₱162
$1.87 ₱120
35.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 ₱65.3
$1.10 ₱70.3
-7.27%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₱31.42
$0.63 ₱40.36
-22.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.06 ₱195
$2.86 ₱183
6.99%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.29 ₱530
$6.08 ₱389
36.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86 ₱55.1
$1.27 ₱81.4
-32.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 ₱131
$1.72 ₱110
19.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.22 ₱14.26
$0.22 ₱13.99
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.61 ₱806
$12.34 ₱788
2.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.86 ₱54.9
$0.74 ₱47.53
16.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.25 ₱16.12
$0.22 ₱14.08
13.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.89 ₱121
$4.28 ₱273
-55.84%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ₱73.1
$1.31 ₱83.7
-12.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2K ₱1.5M
$20.8K ₱1.3M
11.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.2K ₱1.2M
$19.0K ₱1.2M
-4.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$107 ₱6,857
$118 ₱7,565
-9.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.05 ₱962
$15.76 ₱1,007
-4.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.86 ₱1,333
$28.33 ₱1,810
-26.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.97 ₱2,234
$32.94 ₱2,105
6.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.18 ₱331
$6.49 ₱415
-20.18%
Cinema Ticket
$5.23 ₱334
$5.45 ₱348
-4.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$116 ₱7,389
$276 ₱17.6K
-58.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,141 ₱520.1K
$7,789 ₱497.7K
4.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.42 ₱2,199
$48.18 ₱3,078
-28.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.19 ₱1,354
$24.47 ₱1,564
-13.40%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$61.0 ₱3,899
$75.3 ₱4,810
-18.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.67 ₱2,982
$58.0 ₱3,707
-19.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$269 ₱17.2K
$477 ₱30.5K
-43.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$182 ₱11.6K
$322 ₱20.6K
-43.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$535 ₱34.2K
$963 ₱61.5K
-44.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$355 ₱22.7K
$626 ₱40.0K
-43.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,864 ₱183.0K
$4,551 ₱290.8K
-37.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,152 ₱73.6K
$3,028 ₱193.5K
-61.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Magallanes, Cavite
Cebu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$333 ₱21.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.92
7.2
-3.89%

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

Last update for Magallanes, Cavite: October 25, 2026

Last update for Cebu: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Magallanes, Cavite
$182
Cebu
$322 77% $140
Groceries & Markets
Magallanes, Cavite
$178
Cebu
$204 14.2% $25
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Magallanes, Cavite
$143
Cebu
$163 13.5% $19
Eating Out
Magallanes, Cavite
$75
Cebu
$94 25.4% $19
Clothing & Footwear
Magallanes, Cavite
$73
Cebu
$93 26.1% $19
Sport & Entertainment
Magallanes, Cavite
$45
Cebu
$44 3.5% $1.6
Getting Around
Magallanes, Cavite
$16
Cebu
$15 3.6% $0.6

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $269 in Magallanes, Cavite and $477 in Cebu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $15 in Magallanes, Cavite vs $23 in Cebu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $178 vs $204 per month, with Magallanes, Cavite cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Magallanes, Cavite
🇵🇭 Cebu
🕒 Local time
07:12 7:12 AM
07:12 7:12 AM
Same time as Magallanes, Cavite
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
23,851
964,169
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 63.89 PHP (100 PHP = 1.57 USD). 1 EUR = 71.13 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Magallanes, Cavite Cebu 550 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Magallanes, Cavite
  • Cebu

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
Magallanes, Cavite vs Cebu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Magallanes, Cavite cheaper than Cebu?
Magallanes, Cavite is about 24% cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You’d need roughly $1,070 in Magallanes, Cavite and $1,401 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: $269 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $477 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 in Cebu?
Supermarket bills run roughly 14% 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 and in Cebu?
All in, you’ll spend $713 per month in Magallanes, Cavite versus $934 in Cebu – Magallanes, Cavite is about 24% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Is $800 a realistic budget for living in Magallanes, Cavite or in Cebu?
At $713 in Magallanes, Cavite versus $934 in Cebu, a $800 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 it better to live in Magallanes, Cavite or in Cebu?
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.

Magallanes, Cavite vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

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