😐A single person spends $968 per month in Manila vs $699 in Toledo City, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,526 per month in Manila vs $1,099 in Toledo City, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,085 per month in Manila vs $1,499 in Toledo City, rent included.
😐Manila costs about 38% more than Toledo City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Manila and Toledo City are more affordable than the global median – Manila27% lower, Toledo City47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.40₱332
$2.59₱159
108.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.20₱1,609
$21.69₱1,331
20.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.32₱265
$3.37₱207
28.19%
Cappuccino
$2.65₱163
$2.03₱125
30.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96₱58.8
$0.53₱32.56
81.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54₱33.34
$0.32₱19.95
68.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.53₱93.7
$1.01₱62.2
51.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73₱168
$1.82₱112
50.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.90₱117
$1.72₱106
10.47%
White Bread(500g)
$1.33₱81.7
$1.22₱74.9
9.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.09₱66.8
$0.87₱53.7
25.29%
Eggs
$2.11₱129
$2.18₱134
-3.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.09₱558
$5.97₱367
52.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.12₱314
$4.36₱268
17.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.32₱511
$6.99₱429
19.03%
Apples(1kg)
$3.48₱214
$2.26₱138
53.98%
Banana(1kg)
$1.83₱113
$1.20₱73.8
52.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.65₱224
$1.95₱120
87.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.48₱152
$1.55₱95.2
60.00%
Potato(1kg)
$2.68₱164
$2.49₱153
7.63%
Onion(1kg)
$3.09₱190
$1.16₱71.0
166.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.99₱122
$1.70₱104
17.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70₱42.86
$0.93₱57.0
-24.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.36₱206
$1.24₱76.2
170.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.94₱610
$4.29₱264
131.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.45₱88.9
$1.22₱74.6
18.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15₱132
$1.93₱118
11.40%
🚌 Getting Around
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51₱31.58
$0.28₱17.20
82.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.06₱741
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.87₱53.3
$0.69₱42.36
26.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.27₱16.71
$0.23₱14.12
17.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.09₱128
$2.59₱159
-19.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.13₱69.2
$1.09₱67.1
3.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.5K₱1.6M
$24.4K₱1.5M
8.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.0K₱1.4M
$19.4K₱1.2M
18.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$136₱8,343
$65.4₱4,012
107.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.22₱1,364
$31.36₱1,925
-29.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.60₱1,695
$29.95₱1,839
-7.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.74₱2,624
$33.36₱2,048
28.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.04₱432
$4.45₱273
58.20%
Cinema Ticket
$6.67₱409
$1.79₱110
272.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$363₱22.3K
$88.1₱5,408
312.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.4K₱696.9K
$4,254₱261.2K
166.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.97₱2,884
$45.00₱2,763
4.38%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.66₱2,128
$23.14₱1,421
49.78%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.1₱5,100
$62.5₱3,836
32.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.23₱2,838
$80.0₱4,912
-42.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$488₱30.0K
$409₱25.1K
19.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$263₱16.2K
$177₱10.9K
48.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,705₱104.7K
$593₱36.4K
187.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$627₱38.5K
$395₱24.2K
58.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,414₱271.0K
$2,439₱149.7K
81.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,526₱155.1K
$958₱58.8K
163.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$492₱30.2K
$321₱19.7K
53.00%
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: July 25, 2026
Last update for Toledo City: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $488 in Manila versus $409 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 53% 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: $240 vs $183 – 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 in Toledo City compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $968 in Manila, $699 in Toledo City – roughly 38% 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 $1,452 per month in Manila and $1,049 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 $968 in Manila and $699 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 $363 per month in Manila and $88.1 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 $699, than in Manila at $968. 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 $699 in Toledo City to $968 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.