Cost of Living in Malaybalay - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $494 (excluding rent), and $769 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,135 (excluding rent), and $1,600 including rent.
Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.54 ₱253
$2.73 ₱152
$9.08 ₱505
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16 ₱891
$16 ₱891
$35.57 ₱1,980
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.1 ₱228
$3.82 ₱213
$5 ₱279
Cappuccino
$2.07 ₱115
$0.88 ₱49.01
$3.51 ₱195
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 ₱30.35
$0.55 ₱30.35
$1.37 ₱76.2
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 ₱20.4
$0.37 ₱20.4
$1.85 ₱103
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.09 ₱60.7
$1.09 ₱60.7
$4.12 ₱229
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 ₱96
$1.21 ₱67.2
$1.99 ₱111
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.69 ₱93.9
$1.57 ₱87.3
$1.91 ₱106
White Bread (500g)
$1.27 ₱70.6
$1.08 ₱60.4
$1.48 ₱82.6
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.94 ₱52.2
$0.79 ₱43.99
$1.09 ₱60.5
Eggs
$2.02 ₱112
$1.48 ₱82.4
$2.72 ₱151
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.07 ₱338
$4.46 ₱248
$8.56 ₱477
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.5 ₱251
$3.54 ₱197
$5.3 ₱295
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.18 ₱400
$6.09 ₱339
$14.97 ₱834
Apples (1kg)
$2.94 ₱164
$2.19 ₱122
$3.57 ₱199
Banana (1kg)
$1.18 ₱66
$0.73 ₱40.38
$1.55 ₱86.4
Oranges (1kg)
$2.4 ₱134
$0.73 ₱40.39
$3.26 ₱181
Tomato (1kg)
$1.35 ₱75.1
$0.43 ₱23.94
$1.73 ₱96.3
Potato (1kg)
$2.21 ₱123
$1.74 ₱97.1
$3.5 ₱195
Onion (1kg)
$3.26 ₱182
$1.79 ₱99.5
$4.47 ₱249
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.37 ₱76.2
$0.45 ₱24.83
$1.79 ₱99.9
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 ₱31.68
$0.43 ₱24.03
$0.78 ₱43.69
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.72 ₱152
$2.72 ₱152
$2.91 ₱162
Wine (Bottle)
$8.24 ₱459
$6.24 ₱348
$10.41 ₱580
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39 ₱77.4
$0.75 ₱41.52
$2.15 ₱120
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 ₱86.7
$1.31 ₱73.1
$2.71 ₱151
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.28 ₱15.6
$0.22 ₱12.13
$0.28 ₱15.6
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.86 ₱47.72
$0.68 ₱38.07
$0.86 ₱47.72
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.25 ₱14.02
$0.23 ₱12.85
$0.27 ₱15.18
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.11 ₱117
$1.75 ₱97.5
$2.11 ₱117
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13 ₱63
$1.07 ₱59.6
$1.28 ₱71.5
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.2K ₱1.2M
$17.7K ₱986.9K
$23K ₱1.3M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.2M
$18K ₱999.8K
$28.7K ₱1.6M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$103 ₱5,757
$70.3 ₱3,912
$132 ₱7,336
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.23 ₱1,906
$8.97 ₱499
$44.85 ₱2,497
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.94 ₱2,001
$29.95 ₱1,667
$52.8 ₱2,942
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$33.78 ₱1,881
$14.12 ₱786
$39.72 ₱2,211
Cinema Ticket
$4.32 ₱240
$3.46 ₱193
$7.78 ₱433
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$119 ₱6,639
$73.9 ₱4,116
$177 ₱9,877
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,344 ₱241.9K
$2,142 ₱119.3K
$8,925 ₱497K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.69 ₱2,544
$8.84 ₱492
$70.7 ₱3,939
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.09 ₱1,675
$17.53 ₱976
$53.1 ₱2,957
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.7 ₱4,273
$52.6 ₱2,930
$98.2 ₱5,469
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.7 ₱3,882
$41.38 ₱2,304
$108 ₱6,010
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$303 ₱16.9K
$172 ₱9,568
$404 ₱22.5K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$176 ₱9,772
$101 ₱5,640
$220 ₱12.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$674 ₱37.6K
$305 ₱17K
$883 ₱49.2K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$416 ₱23.2K
$224 ₱12.5K
$514 ₱28.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.56
6.8
12
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Malaybalay - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Malaybalay stack up on affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Malaybalay often offers a favorable balance of value and pace, especially if you prize safety, green spaces, and a slower rhythm. Housing options range from modest apartments to guesthouses that stay affordable, with utilities and internet that support remote work in most neighborhoods. Daily meals from local eateries are economical if you focus on simple, fresh ingredients from markets and carinderias; groceries and coffee stay reasonable as long as you shop smart. Seasonal weekends can nudge prices in popular spots, but you still find pockets of good value away from tourist hubs. Cost of Living in Malaybalay sets a practical baseline for longer stays in a smaller city. Tip: Plan a flexible budget anchored to local markets and slower days.
What does daily life look like in Malaybalay in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Malaybalay centers on practical routines rather than high turnover, with options that fit a modest budget. Housing searches payoff when you focus on neighborhoods a short walk from town centers or on hillside pockets with cooler air. Food options are diverse: markets supply fresh fruits and vegetables, carinderias deliver inexpensive meals, and cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi exist for workdays. For transport, short rides by tricycle or jeepney-style services are common, while walking and occasional bike use save time and money. The Malaybalay living cost stays manageable if you plan weekly shops, cook at home, and book accommodations with flexible terms. Tip: Map a few reliable grocery stores and a few favorite coffee spots early on.
What strategies help maintain quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit across seasons?
Quality of life in Malaybalay comes from balancing pace, nature, and reliable services. Use a simple budgeting framework – needs, wants, and a small buffer – to adapt to seasonal shifts and unexpected costs. Neighborhood fit depends on your goals: central areas offer quick errands and coworking cafes, while hillside zones deliver cooler mornings and quieter evenings; decide how often you want to walk versus ride. Practical savings come from cooking at home, shopping at markets, and choosing flexible-rate accommodations. Seasonality affects activities more than prices, with drier periods inviting hikes and market days, and wetter months encouraging indoor work and cozy cafés. Tip: test a couple of neighborhoods during different weeks to gauge Wi‑Fi reliability and community vibe.
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