😐A single person spends $927 per month in Manila vs $644 in Toledo City, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,501 per month in Manila vs $1,034 in Toledo City, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,074 per month in Manila vs $1,424 in Toledo City, rent included.
😐Manila costs about 44% more than Toledo City, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Manila and Toledo City are more affordable than the global median – Manila33% lower, Toledo City53% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.16₱324
$2.88₱180
79.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.86₱1,621
$19.11₱1,198
35.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.93₱246
$3.17₱199
23.97%
Cappuccino
$2.52₱158
$1.95₱122
29.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36₱85.1
$0.66₱41.35
106.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83₱52.1
$0.32₱20.05
159.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.13₱70.8
$1.06₱66.5
6.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74₱172
$1.81₱113
51.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.90₱119
$1.68₱105
13.10%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43₱89.6
$1.20₱75.5
19.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.98₱61.4
$0.91₱57.0
7.69%
Eggs
$2.23₱140
$1.95₱123
14.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.99₱501
$5.90₱370
35.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.69₱294
$4.09₱257
14.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.81₱427
$6.06₱380
12.38%
Apples(1kg)
$3.32₱208
$3.28₱206
1.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.83₱114
$1.03₱64.8
77.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.98₱187
$2.92₱183
2.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.86₱116
$1.45₱90.8
28.28%
Potato(1kg)
$2.26₱142
$2.41₱151
-6.22%
Onion(1kg)
$2.70₱169
$2.76₱173
-2.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.10₱131
$1.46₱91.6
43.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56₱34.83
$0.76₱47.76
-26.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.20₱201
$0.79₱49.45
305.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.61₱602
$6.48₱406
48.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32₱83.0
$1.10₱69.0
20.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10₱132
$1.31₱81.9
60.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.46₱29.04
$0.27₱17.04
70.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.68₱795
$11.01₱690
15.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.83₱52.3
$0.75₱47.01
10.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.23₱14.47
$0.36₱22.63
-36.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.86₱117
$2.36₱148
-21.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24₱77.6
$1.09₱68.5
13.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3K₱1.3M
$21.4K₱1.3M
-0.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.3K₱1.2M
$19.6K₱1.2M
-1.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$122₱7,647
$62.9₱3,944
93.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.83₱930
$9.41₱590
57.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.95₱1,502
$27.68₱1,736
-13.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.46₱2,662
$31.56₱1,979
34.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.79₱363
$4.73₱297
22.41%
Cinema Ticket
$6.88₱431
$1.58₱98.9
335.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$621₱38.9K
$79.9₱5,009
677.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,865₱555.8K
$8,197₱513.9K
8.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.5₱3,604
$32.20₱2,019
78.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.04₱1,758
$19.59₱1,228
43.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.6₱4,866
$55.0₱3,445
41.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.9₱3,628
$55.9₱3,505
3.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$534₱33.5K
$272₱17.1K
96.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$287₱18.0K
$173₱10.9K
65.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,928₱120.9K
$509₱31.9K
278.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$664₱41.6K
$347₱21.7K
91.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,356₱273.1K
$2,614₱163.9K
66.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,555₱160.2K
$1,060₱66.4K
141.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manila
Toledo City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$473₱29.7K
$324₱20.3K
46.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.43
6
23.83%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manila: September 8, 2026
Last update for Toledo City: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $534 in Manila versus $272 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 46% 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 $19.00 in Toledo City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $220 vs $187 – 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: $927 in Manila, $644 in Toledo City – roughly 44% apart. Manila costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Manila compared to Toledo City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,391 per month in Manila and $966 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 $927 in Manila and $644 in Toledo City. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Manila and in Toledo City?
Public transport costs about 15% less in Toledo City. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
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 $644, than in Manila at $927. 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 $644 in Toledo City to $927 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.