Cost of Living Comparison Between Muntinlupa and Santa Ana Cost of Living Comparison Between Muntinlupa and Santa Ana

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $908 in Muntinlupa versus $796 in Santa Ana.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,443 in Muntinlupa versus $1,242 in Santa Ana.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,978 in Muntinlupa versus $1,688 in Santa Ana.

Living in Muntinlupa is roughly 14% more expensive than Santa Ana, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Muntinlupa 32% lower, Santa Ana 41% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Muntinlupa
Santa Ana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.86 ₱300
$2.48 $2.48
95.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.26 ₱1,619
$18.11 $18.11
45.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.10 ₱191
$4.89 $4.89
-36.61%
Cappuccino
$2.61 ₱161
$1.96 $1.96
33.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.93 ₱57.5
$0.68 $0.68
36.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ₱28.06
$0.58 $0.58
-20.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.39 ₱85.7
$2.06 $2.06
-32.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60 ₱160
$2.54 $2.54
2.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Muntinlupa
Santa Ana
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ₱120
$1.89 $1.89
3.17%
White Bread (500g)
$1.30 ₱79.9
$1.97 $1.97
-34.01%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.04 ₱64.2
$1.50 $1.50
-30.67%
Eggs
$1.97 ₱121
$2.80 $2.80
-29.64%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.94 ₱428
$6.85 $6.85
1.31%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.65 ₱287
$6.57 $6.57
-29.22%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.39 ₱456
$10.71 $10.71
-31.00%
Apples (1kg)
$3.88 ₱239
$3.12 $3.12
24.36%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 ₱100
$1.74 $1.74
-6.32%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.90 ₱179
$2.64 $2.64
9.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.40 ₱148
$2.73 $2.73
-12.09%
Potato (1kg)
$2.79 ₱172
$2.18 $2.18
27.98%
Onion (1kg)
$3.15 ₱194
$2.18 $2.18
44.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.04 ₱126
$0.94 $0.94
117.02%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.00 ₱61.7
$1.06 $1.06
-5.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.15 ₱194
$4.09 $4.09
-22.98%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.87 ₱547
$10.92 $10.92
-18.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54 ₱95.1
$1.72 $1.72
-10.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 ₱120
$2.49 $2.49
-21.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Muntinlupa
Santa Ana
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.26 ₱15.88
$0.29 $0.29
-10.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.26 ₱879
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 ₱50.1
$5.34 $5.34
-84.83%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.22 ₱13.56
$2.96 $2.96
-92.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.15 ₱133
$20.27 $20.27
-89.39%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.11 ₱68.6
$1.01 $1.01
9.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4K ₱1.6M
$23.2K $23.2K
9.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4K ₱1.3M
$28.0K $28.0K
-26.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Muntinlupa
Santa Ana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$136 ₱8,365
$39.54 $39.54
243.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.84 ₱1,347
$18.82 $18.82
16.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.19 ₱1,861
$39.23 $39.23
-23.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Muntinlupa
Santa Ana
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.51 ₱3,053
$35.29 $35.29
40.29%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.40 ₱271
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.68 ₱412
$4.93 $4.93
35.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Muntinlupa
Santa Ana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$113 ₱6,996
$145 $145
-21.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,642 ₱286.2K
$5,937 $5,937
-21.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Muntinlupa
Santa Ana
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.94 ₱2,833
$65.9 $65.9
-30.28%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.22 ₱2,172
$42.58 $42.58
-17.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.2 ₱5,996
$115 $115
-15.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.3 ₱5,878
$105 $105
-9.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Muntinlupa
Santa Ana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$402 ₱24.8K
$301 $301
33.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$207 ₱12.8K
$150 $150
38.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,162 ₱71.6K
$504 $504
130.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$437 ₱27.0K
$294 $294
48.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,468 ₱152.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$975 ₱60.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Muntinlupa
Santa Ana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$630 ₱38.8K
$450 $450
40.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.52
8.58
-12.35%

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

Last update for Muntinlupa: May 30, 2026

Last update for Santa Ana: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $402 in Muntinlupa and $301 in Santa Ana. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Muntinlupa pays 40% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $26.00 in Muntinlupa vs $18.00 in Santa Ana. Groceries flip the comparison at $228 vs $254, with Muntinlupa cheaper for home cooking.

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
Muntinlupa vs Santa Ana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Muntinlupa or Santa Ana?
Santa Ana wins on cost – living expenses run 14% lower than in Muntinlupa. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Santa Ana the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Muntinlupa or Santa Ana?
Muntinlupa pays 40% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Muntinlupa vs Santa Ana?
Rent for a central apartment: $402 in Muntinlupa versus $301 in Santa Ana. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Muntinlupa or Santa Ana?
Shoppers in Muntinlupa pay roughly 12% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
How much does it cost to live in Muntinlupa compared to Santa Ana?
All in, you'll spend $908 per month in Muntinlupa versus $796 in Santa Ana – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Muntinlupa or Santa Ana?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Santa Ana gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Muntinlupa or Santa Ana?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Muntinlupa compared to Santa Ana?
Safety-wise, Muntinlupa and Santa Ana 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Santa Ana gentler on the wallet – expenses run 14% less than in Muntinlupa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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