Cost of Living Comparison Between Makati and San Pedro Cost of Living Comparison Between Makati and San Pedro

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,226 in Makati versus $804 in San Pedro.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,003 in Makati versus $1,252 in San Pedro.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,780 in Makati versus $1,700 in San Pedro.

Living in Makati is roughly 52% more expensive than in San Pedro, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Makati 8% lower, San Pedro 40% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makati
San Pedro
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.61 ₱405
$4.76 ₱292
38.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.73 ₱2,738
$21.65 ₱1,325
106.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.77 ₱292
$3.04 ₱186
56.91%
Cappuccino
$2.95 ₱181
$2.72 ₱167
8.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15 ₱70.7
$0.90 ₱55.0
27.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 ₱32.00
$0.34 ₱21.01
52.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.37 ₱145
$1.22 ₱74.7
94.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61 ₱221
$2.71 ₱166
33.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makati
San Pedro
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.15 ₱131
$1.98 ₱121
8.59%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ₱88.3
$1.24 ₱76.0
16.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.06 ₱64.8
$1.09 ₱66.4
-2.75%
Eggs
$2.35 ₱144
$1.95 ₱119
20.51%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.87 ₱482
$6.95 ₱426
13.24%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.48 ₱274
$4.18 ₱256
7.18%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.80 ₱477
$7.07 ₱433
10.33%
Apples (1kg)
$4.43 ₱271
$3.39 ₱207
30.68%
Banana (1kg)
$1.97 ₱121
$1.59 ₱97.1
23.90%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.59 ₱159
$2.99 ₱183
-13.38%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.17 ₱133
$1.71 ₱105
26.90%
Potato (1kg)
$3.41 ₱209
$2.73 ₱167
24.91%
Onion (1kg)
$2.81 ₱172
$3.06 ₱187
-8.17%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 ₱66.5
$1.64 ₱101
-33.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 ₱57.4
$0.69 ₱42.53
36.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.95 ₱180
$3.17 ₱194
-6.94%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.90 ₱483
$9.03 ₱553
-12.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 ₱75.3
$1.44 ₱87.9
-14.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 ₱137
$1.98 ₱121
13.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Makati
San Pedro
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.55 ₱33.97
$0.26 ₱15.71
111.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$3.63 ₱222
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 ₱47.41
$0.79 ₱48.25
-2.53%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.11 ₱6.82
$0.22 ₱13.40
-50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.62 ₱221
$2.10 ₱129
72.38%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 ₱70.3
$1.14 ₱70.0
0.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.4K ₱2.0M
$25.8K ₱1.6M
29.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.9K ₱1.3M
$20.6K ₱1.3M
6.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makati
San Pedro
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$173 ₱10.6K
$137 ₱8,386
26.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.42 ₱1,678
$21.51 ₱1,317
27.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.34 ₱2,225
$27.88 ₱1,707
30.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makati
San Pedro
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.0 ₱3,367
$34.40 ₱2,106
59.88%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.72 ₱717
$4.48 ₱274
161.61%
Cinema Ticket
$8.05 ₱493
$6.86 ₱420
17.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makati
San Pedro
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$323 ₱19.8K
$80.9 ₱4,954
299.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,720 ₱472.6K
$2,809 ₱172.0K
174.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makati
San Pedro
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7 ₱3,653
$32.18 ₱1,970
85.46%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.00 ₱2,203
$29.06 ₱1,779
23.88%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.5 ₱5,235
$81.8 ₱5,009
4.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 ₱7,474
$46.57 ₱2,851
162.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makati
San Pedro
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$660 ₱40.4K
$262 ₱16.1K
151.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$390 ₱23.9K
$176 ₱10.8K
121.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,259 ₱138.3K
$585 ₱35.8K
286.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,032 ₱63.2K
$389 ₱23.8K
165.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,059 ₱370.9K
$2,239 ₱137.0K
170.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,835 ₱234.7K
$1,071 ₱65.5K
258.13%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makati
San Pedro
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$610 ₱37.3K
$313 ₱19.2K
94.44%
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 28, 2026

Last update for San Pedro: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $660 in Makati and $262 in San Pedro. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Makati pays 94% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $45.00 in Makati vs $22.00 in San Pedro for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $232 vs $213 per month, with San Pedro 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 San Pedro: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Makati or San Pedro?
San Pedro wins on cost – living expenses run 52% lower than in Makati. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making San Pedro the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Makati or in San Pedro?
Average pay runs 94% higher in Makati, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Makati compared to San Pedro?
Rent for a central apartment: $660 in Makati versus $262 in San Pedro. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Makati or in San Pedro?
Supermarket bills run roughly 9% higher in Makati. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Makati compared to San Pedro?
All in, you'll spend $1,226 per month in Makati versus $804 in San Pedro – a 52% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Makati or in San Pedro?
At $804 in San Pedro versus $1,226 in Makati, a $1,500 budget is realistic in San Pedro but tight or insufficient in Makati. The gap between the two cities makes San Pedro the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Makati or San Pedro?
Both work as nomad bases, but San Pedro delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $804 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes San Pedro hard to pass up.
How safe is Makati compared to San Pedro?
Safety-wise, Makati and San Pedro 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 San Pedro gentler on the wallet – expenses run 52% less than in Makati. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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