Cost of Living Comparison Between Manila and San Fernando, La Union Cost of Living Comparison Between Manila and San Fernando, La Union

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $927 per month in Manila vs $737 in San Fernando, La Union, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,501 per month in Manila vs $1,097 in San Fernando, La Union, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,074 per month in Manila vs $1,458 in San Fernando, La Union, rent included.

Manila costs about 26% more than San Fernando, La Union, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Manila and San Fernando, La Union are more affordable than the global median – Manila 33% lower, San Fernando, La Union 47% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.16 ₱322

$3.79 ₱237

36.15%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$25.86 ₱1,613

$17.12 ₱1,067

51.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.93 ₱245

$2.77 ₱173

41.88%

Cappuccino

$2.52 ₱157

$2.17 ₱136

16.13%

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

$1.36 ₱84.6

$0.61 ₱38.32

122.95%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.83 ₱51.8

$0.35 ₱21.60

137.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.13 ₱70.4

$1.13 ₱70.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 ₱171

$1.93 ₱120

41.97%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.90 ₱118

$1.62 ₱101

17.28%

White Bread (500g)

$1.43 ₱89.1

$1.13 ₱70.3

26.55%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 ₱61.1

$0.93 ₱58.0

5.38%

Eggs

$2.23 ₱139

$1.88 ₱117

18.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.99 ₱498

$5.32 ₱332

50.19%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.69 ₱292

$4.30 ₱268

9.07%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.81 ₱424

$7.27 ₱453

-6.33%

Apples (1kg)

$3.32 ₱207

$2.31 ₱144

43.72%

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 ₱114

$1.56 ₱97.2

17.31%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.98 ₱186

$2.34 ₱146

27.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.86 ₱116

$1.18 ₱73.6

57.63%

Potato (1kg)

$2.26 ₱141

$2.13 ₱133

6.10%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 ₱168

$1.99 ₱124

35.68%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.10 ₱131

$0.77 ₱47.90

172.73%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ₱34.65

$0.56 ₱34.66

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.20 ₱200

$2.90 ₱181

10.34%

Wine (Bottle)

$9.61 ₱599

$8.13 ₱507

18.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.32 ₱82.6

$0.99 ₱61.9

33.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.10 ₱131

$1.97 ₱123

6.60%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.46 ₱28.89

$0.25 ₱15.42

84.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.68 ₱791

$11.07 ₱690

14.54%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.83 ₱52.1

$0.82 ₱50.9

1.22%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.23 ₱14.39

$0.25 ₱15.62

-8.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.86 ₱116

$1.89 ₱118

-1.59%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 ₱77.1

$1.02 ₱63.8

21.57%

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

$21.3K ₱1.3M

$21.6K ₱1.3M

-1.09%

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

$19.3K ₱1.2M

$19.7K ₱1.2M

-1.96%

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

$122 ₱7,607

$124 ₱7,703

-1.24%

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

$14.83 ₱925

$15.07 ₱940

-1.59%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.95 ₱1,494

$24.51 ₱1,529

-2.28%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.46 ₱2,648

$31.96 ₱1,993

32.85%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.79 ₱361

$4.92 ₱307

17.68%

Cinema Ticket

$6.88 ₱429

$5.18 ₱323

32.82%

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

$621 ₱38.7K

$132 ₱8,256

369.02%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$8,865 ₱552.8K

$7,963 ₱496.5K

11.34%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.5 ₱3,586

$31.98 ₱1,994

79.80%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.04 ₱1,749

$19.28 ₱1,202

45.44%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.6 ₱4,840

$71.0 ₱4,429

9.28%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$57.9 ₱3,609

$55.7 ₱3,476

3.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$534 ₱33.3K

$268 ₱16.7K

99.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ₱17.9K

$170 ₱10.6K

68.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,928 ₱120.2K

$491 ₱30.6K

292.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$664 ₱41.4K

$346 ₱21.6K

91.99%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,356 ₱271.6K

$2,558 ₱159.5K

70.30%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,555 ₱159.3K

$1,038 ₱64.7K

146.21%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$473 ₱29.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.43

6.75

10.07%

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

Last update for Manila: September 8, 2026

Last update for San Fernando, La Union: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $534 in Manila versus $268 in San Fernando, La Union. 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 $26.00 in Manila versus $17.00 in San Fernando, La Union. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $220 vs $179 – making San Fernando, La Union 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

Manila vs San Fernando, La Union: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $927 in Manila, $737 in San Fernando, La Union – roughly 26% apart. Manila costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,391 per month in Manila and $1,105 in San Fernando, La Union. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in San Fernando, La Union, 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 $927 in Manila and $737 in San Fernando, La Union. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 15% less in San Fernando, La Union. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in San Fernando, La Union, where all-in costs run around $737, than in Manila at $927. In San Fernando, La Union it covers expenses comfortably, while in Manila it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Manila has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $737 in San Fernando, La Union to $927 in Manila. 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 San Fernando, La Union. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Manila makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.