😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $933 in Vratsa versus $849 in Dumaguete.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,409 in Vratsa versus $1,324 in Dumaguete.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,886 in Vratsa versus $1,799 in Dumaguete.
😐Living in Vratsa is roughly 10% more expensive than Dumaguete, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Vratsa30% lower, Dumaguete37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.70BGN 14.54
$3.14₱192
177.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.40BGN 49.11
$13.99₱856
110.15%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.83BGN 9.74
$4.35₱266
34.02%
Cappuccino
$2.38BGN 3.98
$2.22₱136
7.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46BGN 2.43
$0.77₱47.40
89.61%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85BGN 1.43
$0.40₱24.27
112.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74BGN 2.91
$1.08₱66.1
61.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32BGN 3.88
$2.12₱130
9.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37BGN 2.28
$1.69₱103
-18.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.03BGN 1.72
$1.46₱89.6
-29.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.33BGN 2.23
$1.00₱61.2
33.00%
Eggs
$3.24BGN 5.41
$1.92₱117
68.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.33BGN 15.58
$9.50₱581
-1.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.96BGN 9.95
$5.12₱313
16.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.84BGN 19.77
$7.68₱470
54.17%
Apples(1kg)
$1.50BGN 2.51
$1.79₱110
-16.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74BGN 2.90
$1.45₱88.7
20.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.20BGN 2.01
$3.95₱242
-69.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.79BGN 2.98
$1.39₱84.9
28.78%
Potato(1kg)
$0.99BGN 1.65
$2.47₱151
-59.92%
Onion(1kg)
$0.90BGN 1.50
$2.64₱162
-65.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.85BGN 1.43
$0.85₱52.2
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58BGN 0.96
$0.60₱36.77
-3.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.48BGN 5.81
$2.61₱160
33.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.27BGN 8.80
$8.08₱494
-34.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03BGN 1.73
$1.22₱74.8
-15.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75BGN 2.92
$2.07₱126
-15.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.57BGN 0.96
$0.50₱30.88
14.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.95BGN 29.98
$8.75₱535
105.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.89BGN 1.49
$0.82₱50.1
8.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.60BGN 1.01
$0.27₱16.60
122.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.32BGN 10.56
$0.85₱52.1
643.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.53BGN 2.55
$1.15₱70.3
33.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.1KBGN 53.7K
$22.9K₱1.4M
40.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7KBGN 46.2K
$39.2K₱2.4M
-29.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$97.7BGN 163
$72.6₱4,440
34.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.78BGN 21.34
$44.66₱2,732
-71.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.82BGN 24.75
$28.78₱1,761
-48.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.78BGN 39.71
$23.73₱1,452
0.21%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.63BGN 24.44
$3.63₱222
303.03%
Cinema Ticket
$5.85BGN 9.77
$6.17₱377
-5.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$425BGN 709
$72.3₱4,422
487.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,959BGN 11.6K
$1,875₱114.7K
271.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.6BGN 99.6
$108₱6,597
-44.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.48BGN 59.3
$35.67₱2,182
-0.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$100BGN 168
$110₱6,738
-8.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104BGN 173
$85.8₱5,246
21.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$258BGN 430
$246₱15.0K
4.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$270BGN 451
$212₱13.0K
27.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$477BGN 796
$434₱26.5K
9.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$420BGN 701
$424₱25.9K
-0.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,483BGN 2,477
$3,145₱192.4K
-52.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$784BGN 1,309
$702₱42.9K
11.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,149BGN 1,918
$294₱18.0K
290.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.49
6.5
-30.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Vratsa: April 27, 2026
Last update for Dumaguete: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $258 in Vratsa and $246 in Dumaguete. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Vratsa pays 291% 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: $29.00 in Vratsa vs $14.00 in Dumaguete. Groceries flip the comparison at $202 vs $211, 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 Dumaguete?
Vratsa and Dumaguete differ by about 10% in total monthly costs ($933 vs $849 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?
Vratsa pays 291% more on average, 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 Dumaguete?
Rent for a central apartment: $258 in Vratsa versus $246 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 $933 per month in Vratsa versus $849 in Dumaguete – a 10% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Vratsa and Dumaguete?
A monthly transit pass in Dumaguete runs roughly 105% 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 vs 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 10% less than in Vratsa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.