For one person, living is cheaper in Sylhet: $365 a month against $918 in Cebu, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Rent and utilities 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 Sylhet and in Cebu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $365 in Sylhet versus $918 in Cebu.
Sylhet $365
Cebu $918
Estimated couple costs with rent: $617 in Sylhet versus $1,409 in Cebu.
Sylhet $617
Cebu $1,409
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $869 in Sylhet versus $1,900 in Cebu.
Sylhet $869
Cebu $1,900
🌍
Living in Sylhet costs roughly 60% less than in Cebu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.
📊
Both cities sit below the global median: Sylhet73% lower, Cebu32% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Sylhet
Cebu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.46৳304
$3.09₱194
-20.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.56৳1,429
$24.22₱1,519
-52.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.01৳496
$3.92₱246
2.30%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.02৳497
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.09৳506
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.98৳244
$2.51₱157
-21.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31৳37.68
$1.59₱99.8
-80.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15৳18.51
$0.53₱33.31
-71.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.78₱112
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.17₱136
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sylhet
Cebu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.79৳98.0
$1.92₱120
-58.85%
White Bread(500g)
$0.59৳73.1
$1.36₱85.1
-56.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.65৳79.8
$1.01₱63.3
-35.64%
Eggs
$1.18৳145
$2.03₱127
-41.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.83৳967
$9.86₱619
-20.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.35৳414
$4.39₱276
-23.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.55৳809
$7.60₱477
-13.82%
Apples(1kg)
$2.68৳331
$3.30₱207
-18.79%
Banana(1kg)
$0.90৳111
$1.39₱87.4
-35.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.42৳299
$2.33₱146
3.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.60৳74.5
$1.50₱93.9
-60.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.26৳32.34
$2.36₱148
-88.98%
Onion(1kg)
$0.46৳57.4
$1.90₱119
-75.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.32৳39.47
$1.19₱74.6
-73.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.27৳33.13
$0.63₱39.56
-57.14%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.81৳347
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05৳253
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.05৳500
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.76৳341
$3.00₱188
-8.00%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$6.03₱378
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.23₱77.4
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.75₱110
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sylhet
Cebu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.70৳86.4
$0.25₱15.80
180.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.05৳2,971
$12.64₱792
90.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.24৳153
$0.77₱48.43
61.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.15৳18.58
$0.23₱14.47
-34.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.17৳144
$4.46₱279
-73.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.08৳134
$1.31₱82.5
-17.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K৳3.7M
$21.2K₱1.3M
40.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.0K৳4.1M
$19.1K₱1.2M
72.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sylhet
Cebu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$25.97৳3,208
$120₱7,540
-78.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.23৳522
$14.00₱878
-69.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.48৳1,294
$27.54₱1,727
-61.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sylhet
Cebu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$9.05৳1,118
$32.33₱2,028
-72.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.01৳495
$6.65₱417
-39.70%
Cinema Ticket
$4.02৳497
$5.65₱354
-28.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sylhet
Cebu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$28.87৳3,566
$275₱17.3K
-89.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$995৳122.9K
$7,918₱496.6K
-87.44%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sylhet
Cebu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.22৳2,004
$49.33₱3,094
-67.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.43৳2,030
$25.24₱1,583
-34.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$36.99৳4,570
$77.0₱4,827
-51.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.47৳3,764
$57.2₱3,587
-46.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sylhet
Cebu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$129৳15.9K
$500₱31.3K
-74.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$57.6৳7,112
$309₱19.4K
-81.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$173৳21.3K
$1,078₱67.6K
-83.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$162৳20.0K
$615₱38.6K
-73.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$706৳87.2K
$2,886₱181.0K
-75.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$350৳43.3K
$1,917₱120.2K
-81.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sylhet
Cebu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$224৳27.7K
$346₱21.7K
-35.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.48
7.2
45.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sylhet: October 10, 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
Sylhet
$119 32.5%
Cebu
$206 22.4% ↑ 73.4%$87
🏠Accommodation & Living
Sylhet
$58 15.8%
Cebu
$309 33.6% ↑ 436%$251
🍽Eating Out
Sylhet
$57 15.7%
Cebu
$88 9.6% ↑ 54.1%$31
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Sylhet
$45 12.3%
Cebu
$94 10.2% ↑ 109%$49
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sylhet
$41 11.1%
Cebu
$162 17.6% ↑ 298%$121
🚌Getting Around
Sylhet
$29 7.9%
Cebu
$16 1.7% ↓ 46%$13
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Sylhet
$17 4.7%
Cebu
$44 4.8% ↑ 155%$27
🛒Groceries & Markets
Sylhet
$293 33.7%
Cebu
$483 25.4% ↑ 64.9%$190
🏠Accommodation & Living
Sylhet
$162 18.6%
Cebu
$615 32.4% ↑ 281%$454
🍽Eating Out
Sylhet
$172 19.8%
Cebu
$292 15.4% ↑ 69.4%$120
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Sylhet
$100 11.5%
Cebu
$209 11% ↑ 109%$109
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sylhet
$45 5.2%
Cebu
$176 9.3% ↑ 292%$131
🚌Getting Around
Sylhet
$59 6.8%
Cebu
$32 1.7% ↓ 46.4%$27
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Sylhet
$38 4.4%
Cebu
$94 4.9% ↑ 146%$56
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $129 in Sylhet and $500 in Cebu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cebu pays 54% 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: $12.00 in Sylhet vs $24.00 in Cebu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $119 vs $206 per month, with Sylhet 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
Sylhet vs Cebu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cebu cheaper than Sylhet?
Sylhet is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 151% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Sylhet or Cebu?
On paper, salaries run 54% 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 Sylhet and Cebu?
Rent for a central apartment: $129 in Sylhet 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 Sylhet and in Cebu?
All in, you'll spend $365 per month in Sylhet versus $918 in Cebu – a 151% 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 Sylhet runs roughly 90% 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 Sylhet or Cebu?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Sylhet gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Sylhet or Cebu more family-friendly?
For families, Sylhet 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, Sylhet or Cebu?
Safety-wise, Sylhet 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 Sylhet gentler on the wallet – expenses run 151% less than in Cebu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.