Cost of Living in General Santos - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $486 (excluding rent), and $706 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,128 (excluding rent), and $1,485 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.53 ₱269

$2.72 ₱162

$9.06 ₱538

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$10.62 ₱631

$9.73 ₱578

$48.70 ₱2,895

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$2.97 ₱176

$2.74 ₱163

$5.02 ₱298

Cappuccino

$2.13 ₱127

$0.91 ₱54.0

$3.62 ₱215

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

$0.36 ₱21.19

$0.34 ₱19.95

$1.40 ₱82.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ₱19.07

$0.28 ₱16.61

$1.83 ₱109

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.12 ₱66.7

$1.03 ₱61.5

$3.91 ₱233

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.86 ₱51.1

$1.97 ₱117

Milk (1 liter)

$1.45 ₱86.3

$1.99 ₱119

White Bread (500g)

$0.90 ₱53.8

$1.47 ₱87.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.93 ₱55.1

$0.83 ₱49.52

$1.15 ₱68.1

Eggs

$1.99 ₱118

$1.46 ₱86.7

$2.68 ₱159

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.86 ₱348

$4.31 ₱256

$8.61 ₱512

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.00 ₱178

$5.46 ₱324

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.10 ₱363

$15.00 ₱892

Apples (1kg)

$2.93 ₱174

$2.19 ₱130

$3.56 ₱212

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ₱69.6

$0.72 ₱42.60

$1.53 ₱91.2

Oranges (1kg)

$2.39 ₱142

$0.72 ₱42.88

$3.61 ₱214

Tomato (1kg)

$0.42 ₱24.93

$1.69 ₱100

Potato (1kg)

$0.91 ₱53.9

$3.62 ₱215

Onion (1kg)

$3.02 ₱179

$1.72 ₱102

$4.31 ₱256

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.08 ₱64.2

$0.45 ₱26.63

$1.80 ₱107

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.57 ₱33.87

$0.43 ₱25.69

$0.87 ₱52.0

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.27 ₱135

$2.90 ₱172

Wine (Bottle)

$7.91 ₱470

$5.99 ₱356

$9.99 ₱594

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 ₱61.8

$0.72 ₱42.75

$2.07 ₱123

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.56 ₱92.6

$1.31 ₱78.1

$2.71 ₱161

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 ₱20.15

$0.13 ₱7.49

$0.51 ₱30.52

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.81 ₱523

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.86 ₱51.3

$0.73 ₱43.37

$0.91 ₱54.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.17 ₱10.23

$0.26 ₱15.64

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ₱80.9

$0.91 ₱54.1

$2.18 ₱130

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 ₱67.5

$0.90 ₱53.6

$1.44 ₱85.6

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

$20.6K ₱1.2M

$18.0K ₱1.1M

$23.3K ₱1.4M

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

$20.5K ₱1.2M

$17.4K ₱1.0M

$27.9K ₱1.7M

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

$76.7 ₱4,559

$72.2 ₱4,291

$135 ₱8,046

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

$34.07 ₱2,025

$8.93 ₱531

$44.64 ₱2,653

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.05 ₱2,143

$30.04 ₱1,785

$53.0 ₱3,150

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.36 ₱1,983

$13.95 ₱829

$39.23 ₱2,331

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$1.74 ₱103

Cinema Ticket

$3.26 ₱194

$8.17 ₱485

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

$59.7 ₱3,547

$179 ₱10.6K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,443 ₱85.8K

$9,021 ₱536.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.21 ₱2,746

$8.94 ₱531

$71.6 ₱4,252

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$15.86 ₱942

$53.4 ₱3,176

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$70.1 ₱4,164

$52.6 ₱3,123

$98.1 ₱5,830

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$67.5 ₱4,010

$40.05 ₱2,380

$104 ₱6,209

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$262 ₱15.6K

$148 ₱8,821

$349 ₱20.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$175 ₱10.4K

$101 ₱6,005

$220 ₱13.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$579 ₱34.4K

$262 ₱15.6K

$758 ₱45.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$389 ₱23.1K

$210 ₱12.5K

$481 ₱28.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

General Santos Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

110

Mbps

104

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 General Santos - Frequently Asked Questions

General Santos offers a friendly balance of value and comfort. For many, Cost of Living in General Santos is comparatively favorable versus larger metro areas, with mid-range housing and accessible daily needs. You’ll find a range of accommodation – from simple studios to larger apartments – often with longer lease options that can reduce monthly costs. Local eateries offer inexpensive meals, and supermarkets carry familiar items alongside regional produce. Transport is practical, with jeepneys, tricycles, and shared rides that connect neighborhoods efficiently. Tip: Start with a short stay in a central area, compare a few co-working spots, and map transit routes to gauge value before committing long-term.

Daily life here blends value with convenience. Housing search tends to reward longer leases in central, walkable districts, but you can also find short-term options near coworking hubs and markets. Food choices range from affordable local eateries to international cafés, with plenty of fresh produce at markets. For transport, expect a mix of jeepneys, tricycles, and ride-hailing apps; most errands are doable on a budget with some planning. If you work remotely, identify reliable internet spots and flexible cafes. General Santos living cost remains practical when you prioritize neighborhood access and seasonal shopping. Tip: Map 2–3 favorite grocery routes and 1–2 coworking spaces to start your routine.

Quality of life here leans on balance and pace. Build a simple budgeting framework – allocate housing, groceries, transport, and discretionary spend, with a cushion for seasonal shifts like heavier rain or local holidays. Neighborhood fit matters: downtown-centred living offers short walks to markets and cafes, while coastal or suburban areas may cut commute times to beaches or coworking hubs. Save by cooking at home with fresh produce, batching meals, and using public transit or shared rides. Tap into local communities or coworking groups to find reliable wifi and social networks. Tip: test a few routine routes for errands and create a flexible weekly plan that scales with your work load.