For one person, living is cheaper in Shiraz: $551 a month against $934 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $4,600 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 Shiraz and in Cebu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $551 in Shiraz versus $934 in Cebu.
Shiraz $551
Cebu $934
Estimated couple costs with rent: $810 in Shiraz versus $1,415 in Cebu.
Shiraz $810
Cebu $1,415
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,069 in Shiraz versus $1,896 in Cebu.
Shiraz $1,069
Cebu $1,896
🌍
Living in Shiraz costs roughly 41% less than in Cebu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.
📊
Both cities sit below the global median: Shiraz59% lower, Cebu30% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Shiraz
Cebu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.62$4.62
$3.03₱190
52.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.16$13.16
$23.48₱1,473
-43.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.92$3.92
$4.09₱256
-4.16%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.03$1.03
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79$1.79
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.17$1.17
$2.52₱158
-53.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66$0.66
$1.54₱96.9
-57.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.49₱30.98
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.79₱112
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.26₱142
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Shiraz
Cebu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.67$0.67
$1.95₱122
-65.64%
White Bread(500g)
$0.41$0.41
$1.43₱89.7
-71.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.90$1.90
$1.02₱63.8
86.27%
Eggs
$1.22$1.22
$2.06₱129
-40.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.35$2.35
$9.81₱615
-76.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.95$2.95
$4.61₱289
-36.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.81$9.81
$7.70₱483
27.40%
Apples(1kg)
$1.12$1.12
$3.31₱207
-66.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54$1.54
$1.45₱90.9
6.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.89$0.89
$2.36₱148
-62.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.55$0.55
$1.54₱96.4
-64.29%
Potato(1kg)
$0.55$0.55
$2.36₱148
-76.69%
Onion(1kg)
$0.55$0.55
$1.99₱125
-72.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.51$0.51
$1.15₱72.1
-55.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.17$0.17
$0.67₱42.15
-74.63%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.87$0.87
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.59$0.59
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71$1.71
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.04$3.04
$3.00₱188
1.33%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$6.35₱398
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.31₱81.9
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.73₱108
-
🚌 Getting Around
Shiraz
Cebu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.11$0.11
$0.25₱15.78
-56.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$3.09$3.09
$12.65₱793
-75.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.38$0.38
$0.74₱46.32
-48.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.21$0.21
$0.21₱13.11
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.44$3.44
$4.33₱271
-20.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.33₱83.5
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$66.0K$66.0K
$21.8K₱1.4M
203.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$53.1K$53.1K
$19.4K₱1.2M
173.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shiraz
Cebu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$23.64$23.64
$121₱7,563
-80.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.06$2.06
$14.45₱907
-85.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.07$17.07
$28.29₱1,774
-39.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Shiraz
Cebu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.96$18.96
$32.68₱2,050
-41.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.51$13.51
$6.39₱401
111.42%
Cinema Ticket
$1.98$1.98
$5.46₱342
-63.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Shiraz
Cebu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$104$104
$273₱17.1K
-61.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,421$2,421
$8,156₱511.5K
-70.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Shiraz
Cebu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.81$22.81
$49.57₱3,109
-53.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.49$18.49
$24.87₱1,560
-25.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.2$95.2
$76.6₱4,804
24.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$56.0$56.0
$59.3₱3,717
-5.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Shiraz
Cebu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$291$291
$506₱31.7K
-42.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$217$217
$309₱19.4K
-29.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$537$537
$1,052₱66.0K
-48.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$321$321
$619₱38.8K
-48.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,164$1,164
$2,915₱182.9K
-60.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$503$503
$1,867₱117.1K
-73.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Shiraz
Cebu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$243$243
$341₱21.4K
-28.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
24.3
7.2
237.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Shiraz: 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
Shiraz
$217 40%
Cebu
$309 33.5% ↑ 42.8%$93
🛒Groceries & Markets
Shiraz
$103 18.9%
Cebu
$210 22.7% ↑ 105%$108
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Shiraz
$87 16%
Cebu
$95 10.2% ↑ 9.2%$8
🍽Eating Out
Shiraz
$65 * 12.1%
Cebu
$88 9.6% ↑ 35.1%$23
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shiraz
$43 7.9%
Cebu
$163 17.7% ↑ 282%$121
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Shiraz
$23 4.2%
Cebu
$44 4.7% ↑ 90.1%$21
🚌Getting Around
Shiraz
$5 0.9%
Cebu
$15 1.7% ↑ 211%$10
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🏠Accommodation & Living
Shiraz
$321 29.7%
Cebu
$619 32.4% ↑ 92.8%$298
🛒Groceries & Markets
Shiraz
$254 23.5%
Cebu
$493 25.8% ↑ 94.1%$239
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Shiraz
$193 17.8%
Cebu
$210 11% ↑ 9.2%$18
🍽Eating Out
Shiraz
$201 * 18.5%
Cebu
$288 15.1% ↑ 43.8%$88
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shiraz
$45 4.1%
Cebu
$178 9.3% ↑ 297%$133
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Shiraz
$59 5.5%
Cebu
$94 4.9% ↑ 57.6%$34
🚌Getting Around
Shiraz
$10 0.9%
Cebu
$31 1.6% ↑ 209%$21
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $291 in Shiraz and $506 in Cebu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cebu pays 41% 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 Shiraz vs $23.00 in Cebu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $103 vs $210 per month, with Shiraz cheaper across the board.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Shiraz vs Cebu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cebu cheaper than Shiraz?
Shiraz is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 70% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Shiraz or Cebu?
On paper, salaries run 41% 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 Shiraz and Cebu?
Rent for a central apartment: $291 in Shiraz 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 Shiraz and in Cebu?
All in, you'll spend $551 per month in Shiraz versus $934 in Cebu – a 70% 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 Shiraz runs roughly 309% less than in Cebu. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,000 enough for either Shiraz or Cebu?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Shiraz gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Shiraz or Cebu more family-friendly?
For families, Shiraz 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, Shiraz or Cebu?
Safety-wise, Shiraz 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 Shiraz gentler on the wallet – expenses run 70% less than in Cebu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.