Measurement units Temperature, distance and clock format
Last update: Oct 2026
Cost of Living Comparison Between Oued Zem and Cebu
For one person, living is cheaper in Oued Zem: $744 a month against $918 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $2,100 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Cebu outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Oued Zem and in Cebu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $744 in Oued Zem versus $918 in Cebu.
Oued Zem $744
Cebu $918
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,188 in Oued Zem versus $1,409 in Cebu.
Oued Zem $1,188
Cebu $1,409
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,633 in Oued Zem versus $1,900 in Cebu.
Oued Zem $1,633
Cebu $1,900
🌍
Living in Oued Zem costs roughly 19% less than in Cebu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.
📊
Both cities sit below the global median: Oued Zem45% lower, Cebu32% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Oued Zem
Cebu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.23MAD 41.20
$3.09₱194
36.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.45MAD 404
$24.22₱1,525
71.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.16MAD 69.8
$3.92₱247
82.65%
Cappuccino
$1.97MAD 19.23
$2.51₱158
-21.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54MAD 5.25
$1.59₱100
-66.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37MAD 3.56
$0.53₱33.43
-30.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.08MAD 49.57
$1.78₱112
185.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28MAD 31.95
$2.17₱137
51.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Oued Zem
Cebu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.84MAD 8.16
$1.92₱121
-56.25%
White Bread(500g)
$0.63MAD 6.09
$1.36₱85.4
-53.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.89MAD 18.40
$1.01₱63.5
87.13%
Eggs
$1.89MAD 18.42
$2.03₱128
-6.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.57MAD 113
$9.86₱621
17.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.72MAD 65.6
$4.39₱277
53.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.01MAD 117
$7.60₱479
58.03%
Apples(1kg)
$1.62MAD 15.82
$3.30₱208
-50.91%
Banana(1kg)
$1.38MAD 13.50
$1.39₱87.8
-0.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.82MAD 8.00
$2.33₱147
-64.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.83MAD 8.13
$1.50₱94.3
-44.67%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69MAD 6.71
$2.36₱149
-70.76%
Onion(1kg)
$0.76MAD 7.36
$1.90₱119
-60.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.40MAD 3.93
$1.19₱74.9
-66.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.65MAD 6.34
$0.63₱39.71
3.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.15MAD 40.43
$3.00₱189
38.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.61MAD 74.2
$6.03₱379
26.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.62MAD 25.51
$1.23₱77.7
113.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73MAD 26.60
$1.75₱110
56.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Oued Zem
Cebu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52MAD 5.10
$0.25₱15.86
108.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.72MAD 183
$12.64₱796
48.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70MAD 6.86
$0.77₱48.62
-9.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.75MAD 7.30
$0.23₱14.53
226.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.02MAD 39.19
$4.46₱281
-9.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.51MAD 14.72
$1.31₱82.8
15.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9KMAD 301.7K
$21.2K₱1.3M
45.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.9KMAD 301.7K
$19.1K₱1.2M
61.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Oued Zem
Cebu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$36.62MAD 357
$120₱7,569
-69.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.06MAD 98.0
$14.00₱882
-28.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.17MAD 333
$27.54₱1,734
24.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Oued Zem
Cebu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.12MAD 284
$32.33₱2,035
-9.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.76MAD 202
$6.65₱419
212.18%
Cinema Ticket
$6.16MAD 60.0
$5.65₱356
9.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Oued Zem
Cebu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$185MAD 1,807
$275₱17.3K
-32.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,495MAD 92.6K
$7,918₱498.5K
19.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Oued Zem
Cebu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.33MAD 481
$49.33₱3,106
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.51MAD 395
$25.24₱1,589
60.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.8MAD 915
$77.0₱4,846
21.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.2MAD 636
$57.2₱3,601
14.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Oued Zem
Cebu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$278MAD 2,712
$500₱31.5K
-44.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$165MAD 1,607
$309₱19.4K
-46.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$478MAD 4,664
$1,078₱67.9K
-55.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246MAD 2,398
$615₱38.7K
-60.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,115MAD 10.9K
$2,886₱181.7K
-61.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$767MAD 7,480
$1,917₱120.7K
-59.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Oued Zem
Cebu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$239MAD 2,333
$346₱21.8K
-30.82%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.55
7.2
-36.81%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Oued Zem: October 12, 2026
Last update for Cebu: October 12, 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.
🛒Groceries & Markets
Oued Zem
$205 27.5%
Cebu
$206 22.4% ↑ 0.6%$1.1
🏠Accommodation & Living
Oued Zem
$165 22.2%
Cebu
$309 33.6% ↑ 87.3%$144
🍽Eating Out
Oued Zem
$115 15.4%
Cebu
$88 9.6% ↓ 22.9%$26
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Oued Zem
$112 15.1%
Cebu
$94 10.2% ↓ 16.1%$18
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Oued Zem
$81 10.9%
Cebu
$162 17.6% ↑ 100%$81
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Oued Zem
$41 5.6%
Cebu
$44 4.8% ↑ 5.3%$2.2
🚌Getting Around
Oued Zem
$25 3.4%
Cebu
$16 1.7% ↓ 38.4%$9.7
🛒Groceries & Markets
Oued Zem
$466 28.6%
Cebu
$483 25.4% ↑ 3.5%$16
🏠Accommodation & Living
Oued Zem
$246 15.1%
Cebu
$615 32.4% ↑ 150%$369
🍽Eating Out
Oued Zem
$426 26.1%
Cebu
$292 15.4% ↓ 31.4%$134
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Oued Zem
$249 15.2%
Cebu
$209 11% ↓ 16.1%$40
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Oued Zem
$91 5.6%
Cebu
$176 9.3% ↑ 93.4%$85
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Oued Zem
$104 6.4%
Cebu
$94 4.9% ↓ 9.4%$9.7
🚌Getting Around
Oued Zem
$52 3.2%
Cebu
$32 1.7% ↓ 38.6%$20
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $278 in Oued Zem and $500 in Cebu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cebu pays 45% 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: $41.00 in Oued Zem vs $24.00 in Cebu. Groceries flip the comparison at $205 vs $206, with Oued Zem cheaper for home cooking.
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
Oued Zem vs Cebu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cebu cheaper than Oued Zem?
Oued Zem is cheaper overall, especially in groceries and leisure. The 23% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Oued Zem or Cebu?
On paper, salaries run 45% 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 Oued Zem and Cebu?
Rent for a central apartment: $278 in Oued Zem versus $500 in Cebu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Oued Zem and in Cebu?
All in, you'll spend $744 per month in Oued Zem versus $918 in Cebu – a 23% 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 Oued Zem runs roughly 48% 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 Oued Zem or Cebu?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Oued Zem gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Oued Zem or Cebu more family-friendly?
For families, Oued Zem 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, Oued Zem or Cebu?
Safety-wise, Oued Zem 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 Oued Zem gentler on the wallet – expenses run 23% less than in Cebu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.