Cost of Living Comparison Between Manila and Toledo City Cost of Living Comparison Between Manila and Toledo City

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $958 per month in Manila vs $676 in Toledo City, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,515 per month in Manila vs $1,083 in Toledo City, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,073 per month in Manila vs $1,491 in Toledo City, rent included.

Manila costs about 42% more than Toledo City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Manila and Toledo City are more affordable than the global median – Manila 29% lower, Toledo City 50% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.45 ₱331
$2.74 ₱166
98.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.28 ₱1,596
$21.66 ₱1,315
21.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.32 ₱263
$3.39 ₱206
27.43%
Cappuccino
$2.71 ₱164
$1.97 ₱119
37.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91 ₱55.0
$0.53 ₱32.44
71.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 ₱30.58
$0.32 ₱19.67
56.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.50 ₱91.0
$0.95 ₱57.5
57.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.63 ₱160
$1.80 ₱109
46.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 ₱115
$1.81 ₱110
4.42%
White Bread (500g)
$1.38 ₱83.8
$1.18 ₱71.9
16.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.08 ₱65.9
$0.87 ₱52.8
24.14%
Eggs
$2.14 ₱130
$2.07 ₱125
3.38%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.52 ₱578
$6.03 ₱366
57.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.33 ₱324
$4.19 ₱254
27.21%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.37 ₱508
$6.98 ₱424
19.91%
Apples (1kg)
$3.39 ₱206
$2.35 ₱143
44.26%
Banana (1kg)
$1.82 ₱111
$1.19 ₱72.5
52.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.66 ₱222
$1.96 ₱119
86.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.49 ₱151
$1.59 ₱96.7
56.60%
Potato (1kg)
$2.78 ₱169
$2.44 ₱148
13.93%
Onion (1kg)
$3.05 ₱185
$1.15 ₱70.0
165.22%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.04 ₱124
$1.60 ₱97.3
27.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65 ₱39.71
$0.86 ₱52.3
-24.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.42 ₱208
$1.22 ₱74.0
180.33%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.50 ₱577
$4.30 ₱261
120.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.44 ₱87.5
$1.23 ₱74.7
17.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 ₱130
$1.92 ₱117
11.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.51 ₱31.13
$0.26 ₱15.66
96.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.85 ₱719
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.91 ₱55.5
$0.74 ₱45.01
22.97%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.25 ₱15.18
$0.23 ₱13.88
8.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.08 ₱126
$2.73 ₱166
-23.81%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 ₱70.3
$1.11 ₱67.4
4.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3K ₱1.6M
$23.8K ₱1.4M
10.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.4K ₱1.4M
$19.3K ₱1.2M
15.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$136 ₱8,261
$67.3 ₱4,083
102.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.24 ₱1,350
$31.21 ₱1,895
-28.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.14 ₱1,648
$29.99 ₱1,821
-9.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.15 ₱2,559
$34.21 ₱2,077
23.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88 ₱418
$4.36 ₱265
57.80%
Cinema Ticket
$6.58 ₱400
$1.74 ₱105
278.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$362 ₱22.0K
$87.8 ₱5,333
311.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.2K ₱681.7K
$4,309 ₱261.6K
160.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.99 ₱2,853
$45.60 ₱2,769
3.05%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.37 ₱2,148
$22.67 ₱1,376
56.02%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.4 ₱5,001
$62.3 ₱3,781
32.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.51 ₱2,824
$79.3 ₱4,813
-41.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$491 ₱29.8K
$423 ₱25.7K
16.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$268 ₱16.3K
$178 ₱10.8K
50.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,726 ₱104.8K
$586 ₱35.6K
194.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$621 ₱37.7K
$393 ₱23.9K
57.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,269 ₱259.2K
$2,450 ₱148.8K
74.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,574 ₱156.3K
$1,002 ₱60.8K
156.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$487 ₱29.5K
$319 ₱19.4K
52.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.52
6
25.33%

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

Last update for Manila: June 7, 2026

Last update for Toledo City: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $491 in Manila versus $423 in Toledo City. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 52% higher in Manila, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in Manila versus $22.00 in Toledo City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $242 vs $181 – making Toledo City 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 Toledo City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Manila and Toledo City compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $958 in Manila, $676 in Toledo City – roughly 42% apart. Manila costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Manila compared to Toledo City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,437 per month in Manila and $1,014 in Toledo City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Manila and Toledo City?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Toledo City, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Manila or Toledo City?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $958 in Manila and $676 in Toledo City. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Manila and Toledo City?
Kindergarten costs $362 per month in Manila and $87.8 in Toledo City. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Toledo City, where all-in costs run around $676, than in Manila at $958. In Toledo City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Manila it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Manila and Toledo City?
It depends on your priorities. Manila has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $676 in Toledo City to $958 in Manila. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Manila or Toledo City safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Manila and Toledo City?
If budget matters most, go with Toledo City. 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.

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