Cost of Living Comparison Between Makati and Las Pinas Cost of Living Comparison Between Makati and Las Pinas

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,188 per month in Makati vs $823 in Las Pinas, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,011 per month in Makati vs $1,312 in Las Pinas, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,833 per month in Makati vs $1,800 in Las Pinas, rent included.

Makati costs about 44% more than Las Pinas, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Makati and Las Pinas are more affordable than the global median – Makati 11% lower, Las Pinas 38% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.53 ₱402

$4.67 ₱288

39.83%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.00 ₱2,770

$24.26 ₱1,494

85.49%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.79 ₱295

$3.02 ₱186

58.61%

Cappuccino

$2.95 ₱181

$2.62 ₱161

12.60%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.20 ₱73.8

$0.99 ₱61.1

21.21%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.58 ₱35.43

$0.53 ₱32.87

9.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ₱144

$1.29 ₱79.5

81.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.56 ₱219

$2.58 ₱159

37.98%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.14 ₱132

$2.07 ₱127

3.38%

White Bread (500g)

$1.43 ₱88.1

$1.26 ₱77.5

13.49%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.11 ₱68.6

$1.05 ₱64.6

5.71%

Eggs

$2.33 ₱144

$2.06 ₱127

13.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.99 ₱492

$7.17 ₱442

11.44%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.52 ₱279

$4.45 ₱274

1.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.71 ₱475

$7.02 ₱432

9.83%

Apples (1kg)

$4.54 ₱279

$3.54 ₱218

28.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 ₱122

$1.59 ₱97.8

24.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.72 ₱168

$2.88 ₱177

-5.56%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.28 ₱141

$1.71 ₱105

33.33%

Potato (1kg)

$3.45 ₱212

$2.73 ₱168

26.37%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 ₱173

$3.15 ₱194

-11.11%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.14 ₱70.0

$1.56 ₱95.8

-26.92%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.99 ₱60.7

$1.05 ₱64.5

-5.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.99 ₱184

$3.27 ₱202

-8.56%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.01 ₱493

$9.55 ₱588

-16.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 ₱76.9

$1.50 ₱92.1

-16.67%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.24 ₱138

$1.98 ₱122

13.13%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.51 ₱31.57

$0.24 ₱14.78

112.50%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.58 ₱220

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.76 ₱47.05

$0.78 ₱48.23

-2.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.13 ₱8.20

$0.24 ₱14.84

-45.83%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.45 ₱212

$2.12 ₱130

62.74%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 ₱71.0

$1.12 ₱69.0

2.68%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.1K ₱2.1M

$25.5K ₱1.6M

33.33%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.0K ₱1.4M

$20.2K ₱1.2M

9.22%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$170 ₱10.4K

$134 ₱8,260

26.45%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$27.66 ₱1,703

$24.73 ₱1,523

11.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.79 ₱2,203

$30.51 ₱1,879

17.31%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.8 ₱3,371

$54.0 ₱3,324

1.41%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.03 ₱741

$4.52 ₱278

166.15%

Cinema Ticket

$8.20 ₱505

$6.58 ₱405

24.62%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$324 ₱20.0K

$102 ₱6,298

216.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,680 ₱472.8K

$2,764 ₱170.2K

177.84%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.9 ₱3,628

$32.04 ₱1,972

83.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.88 ₱2,209

$29.70 ₱1,829

20.81%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.1 ₱5,174

$82.0 ₱5,051

2.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$124 ₱7,609

$46.57 ₱2,867

165.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$657 ₱40.4K

$213 ₱13.1K

208.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$390 ₱24.0K

$168 ₱10.3K

132.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,273 ₱139.9K

$655 ₱40.3K

247.03%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,008 ₱62.0K

$394 ₱24.2K

156.04%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,013 ₱370.2K

$2,436 ₱150.0K

146.81%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,732 ₱229.8K

$1,068 ₱65.7K

249.50%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ₱37.3K

$629 ₱38.7K

-3.83%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.67

7.52

-11.30%

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

Last update for Makati: July 12, 2026

Last update for Las Pinas: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $657 in Makati versus $213 in Las Pinas. 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 4% higher in Las Pinas, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Makati versus $24.00 in Las Pinas. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $235 vs $222 – making Las Pinas 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

Makati vs Las Pinas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,188 in Makati, $823 in Las Pinas – roughly 44% apart. Makati costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,783 per month in Makati and $1,235 in Las Pinas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Las Pinas, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,188 in Makati and $823 in Las Pinas. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $324 per month in Makati and $102 in Las Pinas. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Las Pinas, where all-in costs run around $823, than in Makati at $1,188. In Las Pinas it covers expenses comfortably, while in Makati it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Makati has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $823 in Las Pinas to $1,188 in Makati. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Las Pinas. 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.