Cost of Living in Dumaguete - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Dumaguete
Address: Dumaguete, PH

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $556 (excluding rent), and $862 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,324 (excluding rent), and $1,796 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.22 ₱191

$2.15 ₱128

$5.36 ₱319

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.10 ₱838

$12.34 ₱733

$26.90 ₱1,599

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.36 ₱259

$3.83 ₱228

$4.79 ₱285

Cappuccino

$2.21 ₱131

$0.86 ₱51.4

$2.70 ₱161

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

$0.77 ₱45.88

$0.45 ₱26.92

$1.55 ₱92.4

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.39 ₱23.43

$0.36 ₱21.58

$0.55 ₱32.68

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.07 ₱63.8

$0.90 ₱53.6

$2.60 ₱155

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.07 ₱123

$2.59 ₱154

Milk (1 liter)

$1.69 ₱101

$1.32 ₱78.3

$1.93 ₱115

White Bread (500g)

$1.43 ₱84.9

$1.13 ₱67.3

$1.85 ₱110

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.02 ₱60.7

$0.85 ₱50.3

$1.19 ₱70.5

Eggs

$1.99 ₱118

$1.80 ₱107

$2.81 ₱167

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.34 ₱555

$8.65 ₱514

$10.04 ₱597

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.26 ₱313

$3.98 ₱236

$5.28 ₱314

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.74 ₱460

$6.28 ₱373

$8.72 ₱518

Apples (1kg)

$1.81 ₱108

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 ₱86.6

$1.09 ₱64.6

$1.82 ₱108

Oranges (1kg)

$4.09 ₱243

$2.72 ₱162

$5.45 ₱324

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ₱86.5

$1.09 ₱64.6

$1.82 ₱108

Potato (1kg)

$2.35 ₱140

$1.38 ₱81.9

$3.10 ₱184

Onion (1kg)

$2.59 ₱154

$1.43 ₱85.2

$4.47 ₱266

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.85 ₱50.3

$0.55 ₱32.76

$1.68 ₱100.0

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 ₱38.35

$0.36 ₱21.65

$0.93 ₱55.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.71 ₱161

$2.62 ₱156

$2.71 ₱161

Wine (Bottle)

$8.38 ₱498

$4.81 ₱286

$10.31 ₱613

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.17 ₱69.6

$0.69 ₱41.16

$1.73 ₱103

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 ₱122

$1.45 ₱86.1

$2.71 ₱161

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 ₱28.09

$0.34 ₱20.06

$0.68 ₱40.70

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.79 ₱522

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.79 ₱46.87

$0.70 ₱41.60

$0.88 ₱52.2

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.25 ₱14.79

$0.16 ₱9.67

$0.33 ₱19.34

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$0.90 ₱53.8

$3.61 ₱214

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 ₱68.4

$1.06 ₱62.9

$1.27 ₱75.7

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

$23.2K ₱1.4M

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

$38.6K ₱2.3M

$19.3K ₱1.1M

$38.6K ₱2.3M

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

$73.4 ₱4,364

$67.0 ₱3,982

$107 ₱6,370

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

$43.60 ₱2,591

$6.98 ₱415

$43.60 ₱2,591

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.37 ₱1,746

$25.11 ₱1,493

$35.87 ₱2,132

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$23.16 ₱1,376

$14.03 ₱834

$61.4 ₱3,647

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.61 ₱215

Cinema Ticket

$6.20 ₱368

$4.54 ₱270

$7.87 ₱467

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

$72.8 ₱4,326

$47.87 ₱2,845

$108 ₱6,400

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,843 ₱109.5K

$1,053 ₱62.6K

$2,633 ₱156.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$105 ₱6,239

$8.75 ₱520

$105 ₱6,239

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.61 ₱2,116

$8.90 ₱529

$53.4 ₱3,175

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$112 ₱6,685

$90.0 ₱5,348

$135 ₱8,022

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$85.8 ₱5,101

$45.17 ₱2,684

$126 ₱7,517

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$245 ₱14.6K

$215 ₱12.8K

$287 ₱17.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$210 ₱12.5K

$175 ₱10.4K

$263 ₱15.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$438 ₱26.0K

$268 ₱15.9K

$536 ₱31.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$417 ₱24.8K

$315 ₱18.7K

$525 ₱31.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$874 ₱51.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$719 ₱42.7K

$650 ₱38.6K

$753 ₱44.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$302 ₱17.9K

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: January 11, 2026

Dumaguete Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

160

Mbps

165

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.