Cost of Living Comparison Between Olongapo and Makati Cost of Living Comparison Between Olongapo and Makati

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $698 in Olongapo versus $1,232 in Makati.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,040 in Olongapo versus $2,009 in Makati.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,381 in Olongapo versus $2,786 in Makati.

Living in Olongapo costs roughly 43% less than in Makati, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Olongapo 48% lower, Makati 8% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Olongapo
Makati
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.49 ₱215
$6.80 ₱419
-48.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.38 ₱825
$45.15 ₱2,784
-70.37%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.61 ₱161
$4.93 ₱304
-47.06%
Cappuccino
$2.46 ₱151
$2.87 ₱177
-14.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 ₱42.27
$1.19 ₱73.5
-42.02%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 ₱24.77
$0.56 ₱34.76
-28.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.44 ₱88.9
$2.44 ₱151
-40.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64 ₱101
$3.66 ₱225
-55.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Olongapo
Makati
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.91 ₱118
$2.14 ₱132
-10.75%
White Bread (500g)
$0.42 ₱26.07
$1.43 ₱88.4
-70.63%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.85 ₱52.2
$1.08 ₱66.5
-21.30%
Eggs
$2.19 ₱135
$2.34 ₱144
-6.41%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.15 ₱564
$8.16 ₱503
12.13%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.77 ₱171
$4.43 ₱273
-37.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.71 ₱537
$7.64 ₱471
14.01%
Apples (1kg)
$2.75 ₱170
$4.57 ₱282
-39.82%
Banana (1kg)
$1.03 ₱63.8
$1.92 ₱118
-46.35%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.35 ₱145
$2.70 ₱166
-12.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.20 ₱74.1
$2.25 ₱139
-46.67%
Potato (1kg)
$1.89 ₱116
$3.29 ₱203
-42.55%
Onion (1kg)
$2.19 ₱135
$2.86 ₱177
-23.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.69 ₱42.36
$1.08 ₱66.8
-36.11%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42 ₱25.82
$0.99 ₱61.3
-57.58%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.22 ₱199
$2.94 ₱181
9.52%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.65 ₱534
$8.28 ₱511
4.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02 ₱63.1
$1.20 ₱74.1
-15.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 ₱143
$2.34 ₱144
-0.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Olongapo
Makati
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.20 ₱12.31
$0.51 ₱31.71
-60.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.94 ₱1,106
$3.58 ₱221
401.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.86 ₱53.0
$0.81 ₱50.0
6.17%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.22 ₱13.56
$0.12 ₱7.44
83.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.35 ₱145
$3.58 ₱221
-34.36%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.11 ₱68.8
$1.10 ₱67.8
0.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.5K ₱1.9M
$34.3K ₱2.1M
-8.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.6K ₱1.3M
$21.5K ₱1.3M
-4.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Olongapo
Makati
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$146 ₱9,025
$172 ₱10.6K
-14.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.09 ₱2,164
$26.94 ₱1,661
30.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.68 ₱1,645
$36.49 ₱2,250
-26.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Olongapo
Makati
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$15.26 ₱941
$56.0 ₱3,452
-72.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.19 ₱320
$11.79 ₱727
-55.98%
Cinema Ticket
$4.36 ₱269
$7.90 ₱487
-44.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Olongapo
Makati
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$87.7 ₱5,409
$321 ₱19.8K
-72.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,814 ₱296.9K
$7,538 ₱464.8K
-36.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Olongapo
Makati
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.21 ₱3,034
$60.3 ₱3,717
-18.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.28 ₱1,682
$35.62 ₱2,197
-23.41%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.6 ₱4,722
$85.6 ₱5,277
-10.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$46.15 ₱2,846
$122 ₱7,516
-62.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Olongapo
Makati
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$124 ₱7,668
$666 ₱41.1K
-81.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$90.0 ₱5,547
$390 ₱24.0K
-76.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$261 ₱16.1K
$2,260 ₱139.4K
-88.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$181 ₱11.1K
$1,024 ₱63.1K
-82.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$6,010 ₱370.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$320 ₱19.7K
$3,852 ₱237.5K
-91.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Olongapo
Makati
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$136 ₱8,363
$682 ₱42.0K
-80.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.5
6.67
-32.53%

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

Last update for Olongapo: May 31, 2026

Last update for Makati: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $124 in Olongapo and $666 in Makati. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Makati pays 403% 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: $13.00 in Olongapo vs $45.00 in Makati for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $183 vs $234 per month, with Olongapo cheaper across the board.

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
Olongapo vs Makati: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Olongapo or Makati?
Olongapo wins on cost – living expenses run 76% lower than in Makati. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Olongapo the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Olongapo or Makati?
On paper, Makati earns 403% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Olongapo vs Makati?
Rent for a central apartment: $124 in Olongapo versus $666 in Makati. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Olongapo compared to Makati?
All in, you'll spend $698 per month in Olongapo versus $1,232 in Makati – a 76% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Olongapo vs Makati?
A monthly transit pass in Olongapo runs roughly 401% less than in Makati. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Olongapo or Makati?
At $698 in Olongapo versus $1,232 in Makati, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Olongapo but tight or insufficient in Makati. The gap between the two cities makes Olongapo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Olongapo or Makati?
Both work as nomad bases, but Olongapo delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $698 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Olongapo hard to pass up.
How safe is Olongapo compared to Makati?
Safety-wise, Olongapo and Makati 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 Olongapo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 76% less than in Makati. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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