Cost of Living in Dumaguete - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Dumaguete
Address: Dumaguete, PH

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $492 (excluding rent), and $849 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,397 (excluding rent), and $1,769 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.26 ₱190

$2.17 ₱127

$5.43 ₱317

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.03 ₱819

$12.28 ₱717

$26.77 ₱1,563

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.38 ₱255

$3.85 ₱225

$4.81 ₱281

Cappuccino

$2.25 ₱132

$0.88 ₱51.6

$2.76 ₱161

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.76 ₱44.52

$0.45 ₱26.12

$1.54 ₱89.6

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 ₱22.92

$0.36 ₱21.11

$0.55 ₱31.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.04 ₱60.7

$0.87 ₱51

$2.52 ₱147

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 ₱127

$2.72 ₱159

Milk (1 liter)

$1.72 ₱100

$1.34 ₱78.1

$1.96 ₱115

White Bread (500g)

$1.42 ₱83

$1.13 ₱65.8

$1.84 ₱108

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.96 ₱56.3

$0.8 ₱46.61

$1.12 ₱65.4

Eggs

$1.98 ₱115

$1.79 ₱104

$2.79 ₱163

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.54 ₱557

$8.83 ₱515

$10.24 ₱598

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.09 ₱297

$3.85 ₱225

$5.11 ₱298

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.01 ₱468

$6.5 ₱380

$9.03 ₱527

Apples (1kg)

$1.81 ₱106

Banana (1kg)

$1.39 ₱81

$1.04 ₱60.4

$1.73 ₱101

Oranges (1kg)

$3.92 ₱229

$2.61 ₱152

$5.22 ₱305

Tomato (1kg)

$1.44 ₱84.1

$1.08 ₱62.8

$1.8 ₱105

Potato (1kg)

$2.37 ₱138

$1.39 ₱81.1

$3.12 ₱182

Onion (1kg)

$2.59 ₱151

$1.43 ₱83.6

$4.47 ₱261

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.88 ₱51.2

$0.57 ₱33.37

$1.74 ₱102

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 ₱37.78

$0.37 ₱21.33

$0.93 ₱54.2

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.59 ₱151

$2.5 ₱146

$2.59 ₱151

Wine (Bottle)

$8.39 ₱490

$4.82 ₱281

$10.33 ₱603

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.17 ₱68.4

$0.69 ₱40.48

$1.73 ₱101

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.04 ₱119

$1.44 ₱84.3

$2.7 ₱158

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.51 ₱29.72

$0.36 ₱21.23

$0.74 ₱43.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.05 ₱528

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.83 ₱48.52

$0.74 ₱43.06

$0.92 ₱54

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 ₱15.76

$0.18 ₱10.31

$0.35 ₱20.62

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.93 ₱54.2

$3.71 ₱216

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.11 ₱64.5

$1.02 ₱59.3

$1.22 ₱71.4

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.7K ₱1.3M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$39.7K ₱2.3M

$19.8K ₱1.2M

$39.7K ₱2.3M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$73.6 ₱4,295

$67.1 ₱3,919

$107 ₱6,270

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$44.37 ₱2,589

$7.1 ₱414

$44.37 ₱2,589

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.5 ₱1,722

$25.22 ₱1,472

$36.02 ₱2,102

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$23.71 ₱1,384

$14.36 ₱838

$62.8 ₱3,667

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.48 ₱203

Cinema Ticket

$6.23 ₱364

$4.57 ₱266

$7.9 ₱461

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$71.8 ₱4,191

$47.21 ₱2,755

$106 ₱6,199

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,852 ₱108.1K

$1,058 ₱61.8K

$2,645 ₱154.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$108 ₱6,292

$8.98 ₱524

$108 ₱6,292

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.02 ₱2,044

$8.75 ₱511

$52.5 ₱3,066

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$112 ₱6,538

$89.6 ₱5,230

$134 ₱7,845

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$85.7 ₱5,002

$45.1 ₱2,632

$126 ₱7,371

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$245 ₱14.3K

$216 ₱12.6K

$287 ₱16.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$217 ₱12.7K

$181 ₱10.5K

$271 ₱15.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$439 ₱25.6K

$269 ₱15.7K

$538 ₱31.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$419 ₱24.4K

$317 ₱18.5K

$528 ₱30.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$875 ₱51.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$725 ₱42.3K

$656 ₱38.3K

$760 ₱44.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$304 ₱17.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

4.5

8.5

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

⛩️ Asia

Cost of Living in Dumaguete - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with bigger Philippine cities, Dumaguete offers a friendly balance of affordability and everyday comfort. The Cost of Living in Dumaguete, Philippines tends to be lower for housing, groceries, and local services, while you still enjoy reliable Wi‑Fi in many cafes and a walkable downtown. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, the city rewards a slower pace, shorter commutes, and a tighter expat scene around the university and seafront. Mix local meals with occasional treats from nearby markets to keep budgets predictable, and choose a central neighborhood for easy errands. Tip: Explore short-term stays near Rizal Boulevard to test fit before longer leases.

Daily life in Dumaguete blends small-city charm with practical convenience. Housing ranges from compact studios near Rizal Boulevard to larger furnished units in quieter neighborhoods, with leases that suit short or longer stays. For food, local markets, carinderias, and seaside eateries deliver fresh produce and budget-friendly meals, while cafes with reliable wifi support remote work. Getting around is simple: walkable streets, trikes, and ferries to nearby islands make errands manageable. Dumaguete, Philippines living cost stays predictable enough to plan weekly meals and transport without stress. Tip: Map a couple of favorite markets and a coworking cafe to streamline your routine.

Quality of life in Dumaguete often comes from a neighborhood that fits your pace and social needs. Start with a simple budgeting framework: prioritize housing close to work or study, allocate funds for groceries and dining, and reserve a modest buffer for activities and travel. For saving, choose pre-paid internet plans, compare nearby co-working options, and take advantage of local markets for groceries. Seasonality affects outdoor plans – the dry season offers more beach days, while the rainy season invites indoor hobbies and cafe work. A good fit tends to be areas near Rizal Boulevard or San Pedro, where safety, walkability, and access to services make daily life smoother. Tip: Build a routine that favors short trips to nearby islands to maximize downtime.