😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $863 in Vratsa versus $806 in Dumaguete.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,301 in Vratsa versus $1,208 in Dumaguete.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,739 in Vratsa versus $1,611 in Dumaguete.
🌍Living in Vratsa is roughly 7% more expensive than in Dumaguete, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Vratsa37% lower, Dumaguete41% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.81BGN 14.66
$3.73₱234
136.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.66BGN 49.34
$15.69₱984
89.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.97BGN 9.93
$4.26₱267
40.14%
Cappuccino
$2.31BGN 3.85
$2.32₱145
-0.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56BGN 2.60
$0.76₱47.96
105.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92BGN 1.53
$0.43₱27.06
113.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74BGN 2.89
$1.38₱86.5
26.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05BGN 3.41
$1.89₱119
8.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43BGN 2.38
$1.67₱105
-14.37%
White Bread(500g)
$0.85BGN 1.41
$1.32₱82.9
-35.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34BGN 2.23
$0.93₱58.5
44.09%
Eggs
$2.32BGN 3.86
$1.74₱109
33.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.64BGN 16.04
$8.53₱535
13.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88BGN 9.79
$4.30₱270
36.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.92BGN 14.85
$7.22₱453
23.55%
Apples(1kg)
$1.30BGN 2.16
$1.61₱101
-19.25%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77BGN 2.94
$1.29₱81.0
37.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.16BGN 1.93
$3.55₱222
-67.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.79BGN 2.99
$1.30₱81.6
37.69%
Potato(1kg)
$0.97BGN 1.62
$2.51₱157
-61.35%
Onion(1kg)
$0.76BGN 1.26
$2.32₱145
-67.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.61BGN 1.01
$0.77₱48.10
-20.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61BGN 1.02
$0.58₱36.52
5.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.44BGN 5.72
$2.40₱150
43.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.48BGN 9.11
$8.79₱551
-37.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18BGN 1.96
$1.13₱71.2
4.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73BGN 2.87
$1.30₱81.3
33.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.93BGN 1.55
$0.38₱23.98
144.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.00BGN 41.59
$10.12₱635
147.04%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.85BGN 1.41
$0.70₱43.63
21.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.63BGN 1.05
$0.15₱9.33
320.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.58BGN 10.95
$2.10₱132
213.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.59BGN 2.65
$0.98₱61.7
62.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4KBGN 50.6K
$20.4K₱1.3M
49.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.1KBGN 35.0K
$24.7K₱1.5M
-14.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$95.1BGN 158
$67.5₱4,235
40.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.86BGN 21.39
$9.72₱610
32.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.80BGN 21.30
$26.66₱1,672
-51.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.57BGN 39.21
$24.38₱1,529
-3.32%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.04BGN 25.02
$4.07₱255
269.53%
Cinema Ticket
$5.87BGN 9.76
$6.96₱437
-15.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$239BGN 397
$59.2₱3,715
303.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,358BGN 3,922
$1,674₱105.0K
40.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.07BGN 53.4
$97.1₱6,089
-66.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.84BGN 33.00
$32.32₱2,027
-38.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.2BGN 112
$99.4₱6,234
-32.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$54.0BGN 89.8
$113₱7,105
-52.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$342BGN 569
$234₱14.7K
46.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$262BGN 435
$209₱13.1K
25.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$573BGN 954
$434₱27.2K
32.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$410BGN 682
$357₱22.4K
14.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,363BGN 2,267
$3,061₱192.0K
-55.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,105BGN 1,838
$668₱41.9K
65.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,103BGN 1,835
$279₱17.5K
295.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.99
7
-57.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Vratsa: September 13, 2026
Last update for Dumaguete: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $342 in Vratsa and $234 in Dumaguete. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Vratsa pays 295% 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: $30.00 in Vratsa vs $16.00 in Dumaguete. Groceries flip the comparison at $188 vs $194, with Vratsa cheaper for home cooking.
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
Vratsa vs Dumaguete: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Vratsa and in Dumaguete?
Vratsa and Dumaguete differ by about 7% in total monthly costs ($863 vs $806 including rent). Dumaguete is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Vratsa or Dumaguete?
Average pay runs 295% higher in Vratsa, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Vratsa and in Dumaguete?
Rent for a central apartment: $342 in Vratsa versus $234 in Dumaguete. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Vratsa or Dumaguete?
All in, you'll spend $863 per month in Vratsa versus $806 in Dumaguete – a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Vratsa and in Dumaguete?
A monthly transit pass in Dumaguete runs roughly 147% less than in Vratsa. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Vratsa compared to Dumaguete?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Dumaguete gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Vratsa and Dumaguete?
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.
Is Vratsa or Dumaguete safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Vratsa and Dumaguete are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Vratsa or Dumaguete?
Expats usually find Dumaguete gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Vratsa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.