Cost of Living Comparison Between Makati and Ormoc Cost of Living Comparison Between Makati and Ormoc

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,226 in Makati versus $682 in Ormoc.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,005 in Makati versus $1,031 in Ormoc.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,783 in Makati versus $1,381 in Ormoc.

Living in Makati is roughly 80% more expensive than in Ormoc, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Makati 10% lower, Ormoc 50% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makati
Ormoc
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.47 ₱406
$4.71 ₱295
37.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.29 ₱2,527
$11.69 ₱733
244.65%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.70 ₱295
$4.80 ₱301
-2.08%
Cappuccino
$2.65 ₱166
$2.13 ₱134
24.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11 ₱69.7
$0.47 ₱29.19
136.17%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 ₱28.42
$0.31 ₱19.37
45.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.35 ₱148
$1.08 ₱67.6
117.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20 ₱201
$1.91 ₱120
67.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makati
Ormoc
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.91 ₱120
$1.60 ₱100
19.37%
White Bread (500g)
$1.28 ₱80.6
$1.02 ₱63.7
25.49%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.05 ₱65.6
$0.96 ₱59.9
9.38%
Eggs
$2.48 ₱155
$1.76 ₱110
40.91%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.98 ₱438
$5.45 ₱342
28.07%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.85 ₱304
$3.31 ₱208
46.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.77 ₱424
$7.23 ₱453
-6.36%
Apples (1kg)
$4.12 ₱258
$2.25 ₱141
83.11%
Banana (1kg)
$2.00 ₱125
$1.56 ₱97.6
28.21%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.19 ₱200
$2.39 ₱150
33.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.28 ₱143
$1.20 ₱75.1
90.00%
Potato (1kg)
$3.52 ₱221
$1.90 ₱119
85.26%
Onion (1kg)
$3.59 ₱225
$2.12 ₱133
69.34%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.10 ₱69.3
$0.77 ₱48.22
42.86%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.14 ₱71.7
$0.55 ₱34.80
107.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.57 ₱161
$2.52 ₱158
1.98%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.99 ₱501
$8.57 ₱538
-6.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32 ₱82.7
$0.96 ₱60.4
37.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 ₱127
$1.74 ₱109
16.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Makati
Ormoc
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.98 ₱61.5
$0.28 ₱17.60
250.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$57.6 ₱3,613
$9.94 ₱623
479.58%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.67 ₱42.14
$0.78 ₱48.82
-14.10%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.21 ₱13.15
$0.27 ₱16.91
-22.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.87 ₱117
$1.67 ₱105
11.98%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.24 ₱78.0
$1.10 ₱68.8
12.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ₱1.3M
$18.8K ₱1.2M
12.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.7K ₱1.2M
$16.4K ₱1.0M
20.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makati
Ormoc
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$152 ₱9,541
$66.2 ₱4,151
129.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.13 ₱1,012
$15.32 ₱961
5.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.63 ₱1,984
$23.77 ₱1,491
33.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makati
Ormoc
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$54.5 ₱3,416
$35.10 ₱2,201
55.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.45 ₱906
$4.91 ₱308
194.30%
Cinema Ticket
$6.95 ₱436
$5.85 ₱367
18.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makati
Ormoc
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$803 ₱50.4K
$130 ₱8,155
517.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,454 ₱467.5K
$6,796 ₱426.2K
9.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makati
Ormoc
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.9 ₱3,755
$32.14 ₱2,016
86.28%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.50 ₱2,352
$19.31 ₱1,211
94.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.8 ₱5,130
$66.2 ₱4,151
23.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 ₱6,544
$54.7 ₱3,433
90.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makati
Ormoc
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$752 ₱47.2K
$268 ₱16.8K
180.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$429 ₱26.9K
$167 ₱10.4K
157.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,279 ₱142.9K
$201 ₱12.6K
1034.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,054 ₱66.1K
$359 ₱22.5K
193.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,865 ₱367.9K
$2,716 ₱170.3K
115.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,745 ₱234.9K
$1,173 ₱73.6K
219.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makati
Ormoc
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$610 ₱38.3K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.5
6.75
11.11%

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

Last update for Makati: September 14, 2026

Last update for Ormoc: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $752 in Makati and $268 in Ormoc. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $40.00 in Makati vs $12.00 in Ormoc for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $231 vs $173 per month, with Ormoc 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
Makati vs Ormoc: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Makati or Ormoc?
Ormoc wins on cost – living expenses run 80% lower than in Makati. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ormoc the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Makati and in Ormoc?
You'd need roughly $1,840 in Makati and $1,023 in Ormoc 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.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Makati compared to Ormoc?
Rent for a central apartment: $752 in Makati versus $268 in Ormoc. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Makati compared to Ormoc?
All in, you'll spend $1,226 per month in Makati versus $682 in Ormoc – a 80% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Makati compared to Ormoc?
A monthly transit pass in Ormoc runs roughly 480% less than in Makati. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Makati or in Ormoc?
At $682 in Ormoc versus $1,226 in Makati, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Ormoc but tight or insufficient in Makati. The gap between the two cities makes Ormoc the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Makati or Ormoc?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ormoc delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $682 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ormoc hard to pass up.
How safe is Makati compared to Ormoc?
Safety-wise, Makati and Ormoc 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ormoc gentler on the wallet – expenses run 80% less than in Makati. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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