For one person, living is cheaper in Osh: $691 a month against $934 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $2,900 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Osh and in Cebu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $691 in Osh versus $934 in Cebu.
Osh $691
Cebu $934
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,118 in Osh versus $1,415 in Cebu.
Osh $1,118
Cebu $1,415
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,544 in Osh versus $1,896 in Cebu.
Osh $1,544
Cebu $1,896
🌍
Living in Osh costs roughly 26% less than in Cebu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.
📊
Both cities sit below the global median: Osh48% lower, Cebu30% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Osh
Cebu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.46KGS 389
$3.03₱191
47.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.08KGS 2,016
$23.48₱1,476
-1.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.33KGS 815
$4.09₱257
128.12%
Cappuccino
$1.91KGS 166
$2.52₱158
-24.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84KGS 73.3
$1.54₱97.2
-45.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28KGS 24.69
$0.49₱31.06
-42.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.12KGS 97.8
$1.79₱113
-37.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29KGS 113
$2.26₱142
-42.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Osh
Cebu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.86KGS 74.7
$1.95₱122
-55.90%
White Bread(500g)
$0.38KGS 32.80
$1.43₱89.9
-73.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21KGS 106
$1.02₱64.0
18.63%
Eggs
$1.45KGS 127
$2.06₱129
-29.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.84KGS 423
$9.81₱617
-50.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.52KGS 308
$4.61₱290
-23.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.92KGS 692
$7.70₱484
2.86%
Apples(1kg)
$0.67KGS 58.7
$3.31₱208
-79.76%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55KGS 135
$1.45₱91.2
6.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.21KGS 193
$2.36₱148
-6.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.19KGS 104
$1.54₱96.6
-22.73%
Potato(1kg)
$0.47KGS 40.85
$2.36₱148
-80.08%
Onion(1kg)
$0.46KGS 40.28
$1.99₱125
-76.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.59KGS 51.2
$1.15₱72.3
-48.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70KGS 61.2
$0.67₱42.26
4.48%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.11KGS 184
$3.00₱189
-29.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.08KGS 444
$6.35₱399
-20.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11KGS 96.7
$1.31₱82.1
-15.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65KGS 144
$1.73₱109
-4.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Osh
Cebu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.22KGS 19.13
$0.25₱15.82
-12.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.97KGS 1,046
$12.65₱796
-5.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.24KGS 20.99
$0.74₱46.44
-67.57%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33KGS 29.13
$0.21₱13.15
57.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.55KGS 660
$4.33₱272
74.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.00KGS 87.6
$1.33₱83.7
-24.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.4KKGS 1.6M
$21.8K₱1.4M
-15.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.0KKGS 1.5M
$19.4K₱1.2M
-12.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Osh
Cebu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$38.39KGS 3,354
$121₱7,583
-68.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.97KGS 434
$14.45₱909
-65.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.38KGS 819
$28.29₱1,779
-66.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Osh
Cebu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.54KGS 3,979
$32.68₱2,055
39.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.09KGS 1,755
$6.39₱402
214.40%
Cinema Ticket
$3.33KGS 291
$5.46₱343
-39.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Osh
Cebu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$169KGS 14.7K
$273₱17.2K
-38.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,886KGS 164.7K
$8,156₱512.9K
-76.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Osh
Cebu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.96KGS 1,657
$49.57₱3,117
-61.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.46KGS 3,185
$24.87₱1,564
46.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$53.9KGS 4,711
$76.6₱4,817
-29.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.2KGS 4,561
$59.3₱3,727
-11.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Osh
Cebu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$367KGS 32.0K
$506₱31.8K
-27.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$272KGS 23.8K
$309₱19.5K
-12.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$900KGS 78.7K
$1,052₱66.1K
-14.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$578KGS 50.5K
$619₱38.9K
-6.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,233KGS 107.7K
$2,915₱183.4K
-57.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,010KGS 88.3K
$1,867₱117.4K
-45.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Osh
Cebu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$308KGS 26.9K
$341₱21.5K
-9.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
7.2
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Osh: October 4, 2026
Last update for Cebu: October 5, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🏠Accommodation & Living
Osh
$272 38.8%
Cebu
$309 33.5% ↑ 13.7%$37
🛒Groceries & Markets
Osh
$138 19.7%
Cebu
$210 22.7% ↑ 52.1%$72
🍽Eating Out
Osh
$99 14.1%
Cebu
$88 9.6% ↓ 10.9%$11
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Osh
$73 10.4%
Cebu
$95 10.2% ↑ 30.2%$22
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Osh
$53 7.5%
Cebu
$163 17.7% ↑ 210%$111
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Osh
$52 7.4%
Cebu
$44 4.7% ↓ 16.5%$8.6
🚌Getting Around
Osh
$15 2.1%
Cebu
$15 1.7% ↑ 4.7%$0.7
🏠Accommodation & Living
Osh
$578 36.6%
Cebu
$619 32.4% ↑ 7%$41
🛒Groceries & Markets
Osh
$319 20.2%
Cebu
$493 25.8% ↑ 54.3%$173
🍽Eating Out
Osh
$309 19.5%
Cebu
$288 15.1% ↓ 6.6%$20
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Osh
$162 10.2%
Cebu
$210 11% ↑ 30.2%$49
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Osh
$58 3.7%
Cebu
$178 9.3% ↑ 208%$120
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Osh
$124 7.9%
Cebu
$94 4.9% ↓ 24.8%$31
🚌Getting Around
Osh
$30 1.9%
Cebu
$31 1.6% ↑ 4.8%$1.4
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $367 in Osh and $506 in Cebu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cebu pays 11% 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: $23.00 in Osh vs $23.00 in Cebu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $138 vs $210 per month, with Osh cheaper across the board.
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
Osh vs Cebu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cebu cheaper than Osh?
Osh is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and transport. The 35% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Osh or Cebu?
On paper, salaries run 11% lower in Cebu. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Osh and Cebu?
Rent for a central apartment: $367 in Osh 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 Osh and in Cebu?
All in, you'll spend $691 per month in Osh versus $934 in Cebu – a 35% 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 Osh runs roughly 6% less than in Cebu. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $800 enough for either Osh or Cebu?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Osh gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Osh or Cebu more family-friendly?
For families, Osh 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, Osh or Cebu?
Safety-wise, Osh 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 Osh gentler on the wallet – expenses run 35% less than in Cebu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.