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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,204 per month in Makati vs $776 in Magallanes, Cavite, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,023 per month in Makati vs $1,201 in Magallanes, Cavite, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,841 per month in Makati vs $1,627 in Magallanes, Cavite, rent included.

Makati costs about 55% more than Magallanes, Cavite, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Makati and Magallanes, Cavite are more affordable than the global median – Makati 10% lower, Magallanes, Cavite 42% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.69 ₱409

$3.51 ₱215

90.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.22 ₱2,706

$17.50 ₱1,071

152.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.88 ₱299

$3.36 ₱206

45.24%

Cappuccino

$2.93 ₱179

$2.40 ₱147

22.08%

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

$1.19 ₱73.1

$0.82 ₱50.3

45.12%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.56 ₱34.49

$0.36 ₱22.19

55.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.42 ₱148

$1.31 ₱80.3

84.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.62 ₱221

$2.17 ₱133

66.82%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.20 ₱135

$1.85 ₱113

18.92%

White Bread (500g)

$1.49 ₱91.2

$1.27 ₱77.8

17.32%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.07 ₱65.2

$0.96 ₱58.5

11.46%

Eggs

$2.34 ₱143

$1.99 ₱122

17.59%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.19 ₱501

$7.94 ₱486

3.15%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.42 ₱270

$4.34 ₱265

1.84%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.71 ₱471

$7.82 ₱478

-1.41%

Apples (1kg)

$4.36 ₱267

$2.90 ₱177

50.34%

Banana (1kg)

$2.00 ₱122

$1.59 ₱97.3

25.79%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.57 ₱157

$2.60 ₱159

-1.15%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.23 ₱136

$1.53 ₱93.9

45.75%

Potato (1kg)

$3.45 ₱211

$2.20 ₱135

56.82%

Onion (1kg)

$2.86 ₱175

$2.52 ₱154

13.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.14 ₱69.5

$1.06 ₱64.9

7.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 ₱62.2

$0.71 ₱43.34

43.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.84 ₱174

$2.77 ₱169

2.53%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.12 ₱497

$6.98 ₱427

16.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 ₱76.5

$1.15 ₱70.3

8.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 ₱142

$1.98 ₱121

17.17%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.54 ₱33.13

$0.26 ₱15.81

107.69%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.64 ₱223

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.78 ₱47.96

$0.78 ₱47.46

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.11 ₱6.44

$0.24 ₱14.77

-54.17%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.65 ₱223

$2.12 ₱130

72.17%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.10 ₱67.4

$1.14 ₱69.9

-3.51%

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

$33.4K ₱2.0M

$26.8K ₱1.6M

24.71%

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

$21.5K ₱1.3M

$20.1K ₱1.2M

6.69%

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

$171 ₱10.4K

$111 ₱6,801

53.52%

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

$26.96 ₱1,649

$32.36 ₱1,980

-16.69%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.97 ₱2,201

$27.30 ₱1,670

31.76%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.6 ₱3,402

$33.69 ₱2,061

65.06%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.87 ₱726

$4.40 ₱269

169.77%

Cinema Ticket

$8.19 ₱501

$5.96 ₱365

37.42%

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

$322 ₱19.7K

$153 ₱9,389

109.79%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$7,811 ₱477.9K

$4,385 ₱268.2K

78.15%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.8 ₱3,598

$46.70 ₱2,857

25.93%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.76 ₱2,188

$26.94 ₱1,648

32.74%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$83.9 ₱5,132

$75.7 ₱4,634

10.76%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 ₱7,550

$52.7 ₱3,223

134.29%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$667 ₱40.8K

$270 ₱16.5K

147.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$403 ₱24.6K

$177 ₱10.8K

127.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,307 ₱141.1K

$591 ₱36.2K

290.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,015 ₱62.1K

$397 ₱24.3K

155.88%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,283 ₱384.4K

$2,411 ₱147.5K

160.59%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,903 ₱238.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$712 ₱43.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.67

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

Last update for Makati: April 25, 2026

Last update for Magallanes, Cavite: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $667 in Makati versus $270 in Magallanes, Cavite. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $44.00 in Makati versus $17.00 in Magallanes, Cavite. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $236 vs $202 – making Magallanes, Cavite 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 Magallanes, Cavite: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Makati costs about 55% more than Magallanes, Cavite, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,807 per month in Makati and $1,164 in Magallanes, Cavite. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $44.00 in Makati and $17.00 in Magallanes, Cavite. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 17% more in Makati, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Magallanes, Cavite, where all-in costs run around $776, than in Makati at $1,204. In Magallanes, Cavite it covers expenses comfortably, while in Makati it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Magallanes, Cavite costs $776 versus $1,204 in Makati. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 Magallanes, Cavite. 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.