😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $919 in Vratsa versus $854 in Dumaguete.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,399 in Vratsa versus $1,326 in Dumaguete.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,879 in Vratsa versus $1,798 in Dumaguete.
😐Living in Vratsa is roughly 8% more expensive than Dumaguete, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Vratsa32% lower, Dumaguete36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.84BGN 14.70
$3.10₱188
185.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.20BGN 48.58
$13.94₱847
109.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.89BGN 9.79
$4.52₱275
30.31%
Cappuccino
$2.40BGN 3.99
$2.24₱136
7.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44BGN 2.40
$0.71₱43.27
102.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91BGN 1.51
$0.36₱21.93
152.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74BGN 2.89
$1.09₱66.3
59.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30BGN 3.82
$2.09₱127
10.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42BGN 2.37
$1.70₱103
-16.47%
White Bread(500g)
$1.02BGN 1.70
$1.43₱87.1
-28.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.34BGN 2.23
$0.97₱59.2
38.14%
Eggs
$3.21BGN 5.35
$2.00₱121
60.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.20BGN 15.30
$9.41₱572
-2.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.07BGN 10.10
$5.09₱309
19.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.74BGN 19.53
$8.04₱488
46.02%
Apples(1kg)
$1.49BGN 2.49
$1.78₱108
-16.29%
Banana(1kg)
$1.68BGN 2.79
$1.45₱87.9
15.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.15BGN 1.91
$4.07₱247
-71.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.73BGN 2.88
$1.45₱88.0
19.31%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00BGN 1.66
$2.37₱144
-57.81%
Onion(1kg)
$0.90BGN 1.50
$2.61₱159
-65.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90BGN 1.50
$0.90₱54.9
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61BGN 1.02
$0.60₱36.60
1.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.63BGN 6.04
$2.62₱159
38.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.46BGN 9.08
$8.01₱487
-31.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04BGN 1.73
$1.23₱74.8
-15.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80BGN 3.00
$1.97₱120
-8.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.58BGN 0.96
$0.47₱28.43
23.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.67BGN 29.39
$8.97₱544
96.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.84BGN 1.41
$0.83₱50.1
1.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66BGN 1.10
$0.25₱15.00
164.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.37BGN 10.60
$0.91₱55.1
600.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.59BGN 2.65
$1.15₱69.8
38.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0KBGN 53.2K
$23.2K₱1.4M
37.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0KBGN 46.6K
$39.1K₱2.4M
-28.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$96.5BGN 161
$73.2₱4,443
31.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.09BGN 21.78
$44.75₱2,718
-70.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.61BGN 24.31
$29.04₱1,763
-49.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.43BGN 38.98
$23.81₱1,446
-1.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.63BGN 24.34
$3.65₱221
300.82%
Cinema Ticket
$5.94BGN 9.89
$6.24₱379
-4.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$428BGN 712
$72.5₱4,401
490.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,386BGN 8,960
$1,825₱110.8K
195.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.9BGN 103
$107₱6,510
-42.29%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.62BGN 59.3
$36.05₱2,189
-1.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101BGN 169
$109₱6,597
-6.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105BGN 175
$82.8₱5,028
26.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$252BGN 420
$247₱15.0K
2.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$269BGN 447
$209₱12.7K
28.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$470BGN 783
$443₱26.9K
6.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$424BGN 705
$419₱25.4K
1.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,327BGN 2,208
$3,067₱186.2K
-56.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,106BGN 1,839
$698₱42.4K
58.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vratsa
Dumaguete
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,099BGN 1,829
$291₱17.7K
277.16%
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Dumaguete: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $252 in Vratsa and $247 in Dumaguete. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Vratsa pays 277% 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 8% in total monthly costs ($919 vs $854 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 277% 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: $252 in Vratsa versus $247 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 $919 per month in Vratsa versus $854 in Dumaguete – a 8% 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 97% 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 8% less than in Vratsa. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.