Cost of Living Comparison Between Surigao and Baguio Cost of Living Comparison Between Surigao and Baguio

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $795 in Surigao versus $764 in Baguio.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,210 in Surigao versus $1,128 in Baguio.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,625 in Surigao versus $1,491 in Baguio.

Living in Surigao is roughly 4% more expensive than in Baguio, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Surigao 41% lower, Baguio 43% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surigao
Baguio
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.63 ₱223
$3.51 ₱216
3.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.01 ₱1,109
$13.35 ₱822
34.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.27 ₱201
$2.67 ₱165
22.47%
Cappuccino
$2.39 ₱147
$2.35 ₱145
1.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 ₱47.89
$0.69 ₱42.28
13.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 ₱22.33
$0.37 ₱23.01
-2.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.30 ₱79.8
$1.44 ₱88.4
-9.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 ₱130
$1.93 ₱119
9.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surigao
Baguio
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 ₱116
$1.92 ₱118
-1.56%
White Bread (500g)
$1.22 ₱75.4
$1.19 ₱73.3
2.52%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.00 ₱61.6
$1.06 ₱65.3
-5.66%
Eggs
$2.03 ₱125
$2.17 ₱134
-6.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.17 ₱503
$9.41 ₱579
-13.18%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.30 ₱265
$3.72 ₱229
15.59%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.77 ₱478
$8.61 ₱530
-9.76%
Apples (1kg)
$2.86 ₱176
$2.72 ₱168
5.15%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 ₱97.7
$1.79 ₱110
-11.17%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.59 ₱159
$2.35 ₱145
10.21%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.54 ₱94.9
$1.17 ₱72.1
31.62%
Potato (1kg)
$2.32 ₱143
$1.81 ₱112
28.18%
Onion (1kg)
$2.64 ₱163
$2.20 ₱135
20.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.07 ₱66.1
$0.68 ₱41.60
57.35%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 ₱46.66
$0.78 ₱47.77
-2.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.87 ₱177
$3.33 ₱205
-13.81%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.57 ₱528
$8.71 ₱536
-1.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.16 ₱71.3
$1.06 ₱65.4
9.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 ₱126
$2.34 ₱144
-12.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Surigao
Baguio
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.28 ₱17.24
$0.28 ₱17.26
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$10.81 ₱665
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.78 ₱47.98
$0.92 ₱56.7
-15.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.22 ₱13.53
$0.22 ₱13.54
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.11 ₱130
$2.35 ₱145
-10.21%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 ₱70.7
$1.11 ₱68.1
3.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.1K ₱1.7M
$31.7K ₱1.9M
-14.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.8K ₱1.3M
$20.5K ₱1.3M
1.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surigao
Baguio
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$111 ₱6,808
$144 ₱8,877
-23.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.36 ₱1,499
$34.02 ₱2,094
-28.40%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.92 ₱2,396
$25.86 ₱1,592
50.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surigao
Baguio
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.84 ₱2,083
$22.30 ₱1,373
51.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.50 ₱277
$4.23 ₱261
6.38%
Cinema Ticket
$5.97 ₱368
$5.79 ₱356
3.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surigao
Baguio
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$150 ₱9,207
$151 ₱9,286
-0.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,262 ₱262.4K
$4,640 ₱285.6K
-8.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surigao
Baguio
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.84 ₱2,822
$48.90 ₱3,010
-6.26%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.73 ₱1,646
$27.56 ₱1,697
-3.01%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.3 ₱4,699
$74.1 ₱4,560
3.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$53.0 ₱3,263
$45.63 ₱2,809
16.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surigao
Baguio
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$264 ₱16.2K
$349 ₱21.5K
-24.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$180 ₱11.1K
$145 ₱8,936
24.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$584 ₱36.0K
$543 ₱33.4K
7.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$393 ₱24.2K
$265 ₱16.3K
48.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,042 ₱125.7K
$2,392 ₱147.2K
-14.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$890 ₱54.8K
$925 ₱57.0K
-3.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surigao
Baguio
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$183 ₱11.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.67
4.5
48.22%

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

Last update for Surigao: July 12, 2026

Last update for Baguio: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $264 in Surigao and $349 in Baguio. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $18.00 in Surigao vs $13.00 in Baguio for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $207 vs $206 per month, with Baguio 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
Surigao vs Baguio: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Surigao or Baguio?
Baguio wins on cost – living expenses run 4% lower than in Surigao. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Baguio the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Surigao and in Baguio?
You'd need roughly $1,192 in Surigao and $1,146 in Baguio to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Surigao compared to Baguio?
Rent for a central apartment: $264 in Surigao versus $349 in Baguio. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Surigao or in Baguio?
Supermarket bills run roughly 1% higher in Surigao. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Surigao compared to Baguio?
All in, you'll spend $795 per month in Surigao versus $764 in Baguio – a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $800/month in Surigao or in Baguio?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Baguio 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: Surigao or Baguio?
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 Surigao compared to Baguio?
Safety-wise, Surigao and Baguio 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 Baguio gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Surigao. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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