Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mumbai (Bombay) and Cebu

For one person, living is cheaper in Mumbai (Bombay): $769 a month against $934 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $2,000 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Mumbai (Bombay)
🇮🇳 India
$769
/mo nomad
Cebu
🇵🇭 Philippines
$934
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mumbai (Bombay) and in Cebu

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mumbai (Bombay) and in Cebu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $769 in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $934 in Cebu.

  • Mumbai (Bombay) $769
  • Cebu $934

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,281 in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $1,415 in Cebu.

  • Mumbai (Bombay) $1,281
  • Cebu $1,415

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,793 in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $1,896 in Cebu.

  • Mumbai (Bombay) $1,793
  • Cebu $1,896

Living in Mumbai (Bombay) costs roughly 18% less than in Cebu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mumbai (Bombay) 43% lower, Cebu 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mumbai (Bombay)
Cebu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.29 ₹512
$3.03 ₱191
74.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.16 ₹2,048
$23.48 ₱1,476
-9.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.08 ₹394
$4.09 ₱257
-0.24%
Cappuccino
$2.61 ₹253
$2.52 ₱158
3.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 ₹35.00
$1.54 ₱97.2
-76.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13 ₹12.56
$0.49 ₱31.06
-73.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.63 ₹255
$1.79 ₱113
46.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.12 ₹398
$2.26 ₱142
82.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mumbai (Bombay)
Cebu
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.73 ₹70.5
$1.95 ₱122
-62.56%
White Bread (500g)
$0.50 ₹48.39
$1.43 ₱89.9
-65.03%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.76 ₹73.6
$1.02 ₱64.0
-25.49%
Eggs
$1.00 ₹96.9
$2.06 ₱129
-51.46%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.56 ₹538
$9.81 ₱617
-43.32%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.60 ₹349
$4.61 ₱290
-21.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$7.70 ₱484
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.15 ₹208
$3.31 ₱208
-35.05%
Banana (1kg)
$0.72 ₹69.8
$1.45 ₱91.2
-50.34%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.24 ₹120
$2.36 ₱148
-47.46%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.50 ₹48.21
$1.54 ₱96.6
-67.53%
Potato (1kg)
$0.34 ₹32.59
$2.36 ₱148
-85.59%
Onion (1kg)
$0.37 ₹35.51
$1.99 ₱125
-81.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.44 ₹42.60
$1.15 ₱72.3
-61.74%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28 ₹26.87
$0.67 ₱42.26
-58.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.08 ₹491
$3.00 ₱189
69.33%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.32 ₹805
$6.35 ₱399
31.02%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94 ₹188
$1.31 ₱82.1
48.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07 ₹297
$1.73 ₱109
77.46%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$6.16 ₹596
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mumbai (Bombay)
Cebu
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.22 ₹21.29
$0.25 ₱15.82
-12.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$5.61 ₹543
$12.65 ₱796
-55.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.31 ₹29.53
$0.74 ₱46.44
-58.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 ₹31.47
$0.21 ₱13.15
57.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.54 ₹149
$4.33 ₱272
-64.43%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 ₹111
$1.33 ₱83.7
-13.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.7K ₹1.5M
$21.8K ₱1.4M
-27.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K ₹2.1M
$19.4K ₱1.2M
12.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mumbai (Bombay)
Cebu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$60.7 ₹5,877
$121 ₱7,583
-49.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.39 ₹425
$14.45 ₱909
-69.62%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.80 ₹852
$28.29 ₱1,779
-68.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mumbai (Bombay)
Cebu
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.08 ₹2,525
$32.68 ₱2,055
-20.20%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.19 ₹1,277
$6.39 ₱402
106.42%
Cinema Ticket
$4.49 ₹434
$5.46 ₱343
-17.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mumbai (Bombay)
Cebu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$114 ₹11.0K
$273 ₱17.2K
-58.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,082 ₹491.9K
$8,156 ₱512.9K
-37.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mumbai (Bombay)
Cebu
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.13 ₹3,497
$49.57 ₱3,117
-27.11%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.96 ₹3,867
$24.87 ₱1,564
60.68%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$54.5 ₹5,270
$76.6 ₱4,817
-28.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.98 ₹4,644
$59.3 ₱3,727
-19.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mumbai (Bombay)
Cebu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$598 ₹57.9K
$506 ₱31.8K
18.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$344 ₹33.3K
$309 ₱19.5K
11.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,797 ₹173.9K
$1,052 ₱66.1K
70.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$866 ₹83.8K
$619 ₱38.9K
39.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,811 ₹562.3K
$2,915 ₱183.4K
99.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,418 ₹234.0K
$1,867 ₱117.4K
29.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mumbai (Bombay)
Cebu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$768 ₹74.4K
$341 ₱21.5K
125.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.29
7.2
15.14%

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

Last update for Mumbai (Bombay): October 3, 2026

Last update for Cebu: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mumbai (Bombay)
$344
Cebu
$309 10.1% $35
Groceries & Markets
Mumbai (Bombay)
$116
Cebu
$210 81.5% $94
Eating Out
Mumbai (Bombay)
$109
Cebu
$88 19.1% $21
Clothing & Footwear
Mumbai (Bombay)
$80
Cebu
$95 17.8% $14
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mumbai (Bombay)
$74
Cebu
$163 121% $89
Sport & Entertainment
Mumbai (Bombay)
$35
Cebu
$44 24.4% $8.5
Getting Around
Mumbai (Bombay)
$8.4
Cebu
$15 83.4% $7

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $598 in Mumbai (Bombay) and $506 in Cebu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Mumbai (Bombay) pays 125% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $21.00 in Mumbai (Bombay) vs $23.00 in Cebu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $116 vs $210 per month, with Mumbai (Bombay) cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇮🇳 Mumbai (Bombay)
🇵🇭 Cebu
🕒 Local time
07:09 7:09 AM
09:39 9:39 AM
2 h 30 min ahead of Mumbai (Bombay)
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
12,442,373
964,169
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PHP, USD, EUR to INR – Indian Rupee Converter

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 96.78 INR (100 INR = 1.03 USD). 1 EUR = 109 INR (1,000 INR = 9.21 EUR).

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 62.89 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.54 PHP (100 PHP = 1.42 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mumbai (Bombay) Cebu 5,560 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mumbai (Bombay)
  • Cebu

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Mumbai (Bombay) vs Cebu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cebu cheaper than Mumbai (Bombay)?
Mumbai (Bombay) is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and leisure. The 22% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Mumbai (Bombay) or Cebu?
Average pay runs 125% higher in Mumbai (Bombay), which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Mumbai (Bombay) and Cebu?
Rent for a central apartment: $598 in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $506 in Cebu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Mumbai (Bombay) and in Cebu?
All in, you'll spend $769 per month in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $934 in Cebu – a 22% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Mumbai (Bombay) runs roughly 125% less than in Cebu. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,200 enough for either Mumbai (Bombay) or Cebu?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Mumbai (Bombay) gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Mumbai (Bombay) or Cebu more family-friendly?
For families, Mumbai (Bombay) is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cebu, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Mumbai (Bombay) or Cebu?
Safety-wise, Mumbai (Bombay) and Cebu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Mumbai (Bombay) gentler on the wallet – expenses run 22% less than in Cebu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Mumbai (Bombay) vs other spots: cost of living compared

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