Cost of Living Comparison Between Manila and Island Garden City of Samal Cost of Living Comparison Between Manila and Island Garden City of Samal

😐 Solo nomad: Manila is 29.4% more expensive than Island Garden City of Samal without rent, and 39.1% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Manila is 23.8% more expensive than Island Garden City of Samal without rent, and 44.3% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manila
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.25 β‚±292
$1.3 β‚±72.6
303.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.12 β‚±1,455
$12.33 β‚±687
111.84%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.48 β‚±250
$4.68 β‚±261
-4.27%
Cappuccino
$2.67 β‚±148
$2.1 β‚±117
27.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91 β‚±50.5
$0.88 β‚±49.1
3.41%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53 β‚±29.61
$0.53 β‚±29.47
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.55 β‚±86.5
$1.45 β‚±80.7
6.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68 β‚±149
$1.79 β‚±99.6
49.72%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Manila
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.9 β‚±106
$1.23 β‚±68.4
54.47%
White Bread (500g)
$1.34 β‚±74.7
$0.6 β‚±33.49
123.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.09 β‚±60.6
$0.68 β‚±37.65
60.29%
Eggs
$2.15 β‚±120
$1.99 β‚±111
8.04%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.46 β‚±527
$5.97 β‚±332
58.46%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.32 β‚±296
$3.22 β‚±179
65.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.59 β‚±478
$5.18 β‚±288
65.83%
Apples (1kg)
$3.44 β‚±191
$2.83 β‚±158
21.55%
Banana (1kg)
$1.82 β‚±101
$1.17 β‚±65.3
55.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.59 β‚±200
$2.38 β‚±133
50.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.41 β‚±134
$1.21 β‚±67.4
99.17%
Potato (1kg)
$2.77 β‚±154
$2.18 β‚±121
27.06%
Onion (1kg)
$3.04 β‚±169
$1.55 β‚±86.6
96.13%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.94 β‚±108
$0.92 β‚±51.3
110.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.64 β‚±35.46
$0.49 β‚±27.49
30.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.44 β‚±192
$2.6 β‚±145
32.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.57 β‚±477
$4.19 β‚±233
104.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.51 β‚±84
$1.31 β‚±72.8
15.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 β‚±118
$1.23 β‚±68.4
72.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Manila
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.48 β‚±26.9
$0.26 β‚±14.47
84.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.17 β‚±678
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.92 β‚±51.3
$0.72 β‚±40.13
27.78%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.27 β‚±15.08
$0.1 β‚±5.49
170.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.15 β‚±120
$2.16 β‚±120
-0.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.17 β‚±65.3
$1.14 β‚±63.7
2.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27K β‚±1.5M
$22.5K β‚±1.3M
19.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23K β‚±1.3M
$21K β‚±1.2M
9.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manila
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$139 β‚±7,714
$98.7 β‚±5,498
40.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.08 β‚±1,229
$33.59 β‚±1,870
-34.27%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.22 β‚±1,516
$35.58 β‚±1,981
-23.50%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Manila
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.8 β‚±2,383
$34.52 β‚±1,922
23.99%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.9 β‚±384
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.61 β‚±368
$4.47 β‚±249
47.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manila
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$364 β‚±20.2K
$119 β‚±6,651
204.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.2K β‚±623.1K
$4,340 β‚±241.6K
157.89%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Manila
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.95 β‚±2,558
$46.14 β‚±2,569
-0.41%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.61 β‚±1,983
$30.33 β‚±1,689
17.41%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.5 β‚±4,648
$76.2 β‚±4,244
9.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.92 β‚±2,612
$68.3 β‚±3,803
-31.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manila
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$503 β‚±28K
$263 β‚±14.6K
91.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$262 β‚±14.6K
$179 β‚±9,981
46.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,724 β‚±96K
$582 β‚±32.4K
196.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$622 β‚±34.6K
$393 β‚±21.9K
58.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,633 β‚±202.3K
$2,413 β‚±134.3K
50.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,336 β‚±130.1K
-
-
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Manila
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$492 β‚±27.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.52
9.56
-21.34%

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

Last update for Manila: October 28, 2025

Last update for Island Garden City of Samal: October 26, 2025

Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.