Cost of Living in Palawan - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Palawan
Address: Palawan, PH

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $491 (excluding rent), and $783 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,148 (excluding rent), and $1,620 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.65 ₱214

$1.82 ₱107

$9.1 ₱533

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.79 ₱1,159

$14.21 ₱832

$44.97 ₱2,634

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.43 ₱201

$2.74 ₱160

$5.01 ₱293

Cappuccino

$2.62 ₱153

$1.26 ₱73.7

$4.49 ₱263

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

$0.83 ₱48.7

$0.52 ₱30.44

$1.42 ₱83.4

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.37 ₱21.43

$0.26 ₱15.23

$0.68 ₱40.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.3 ₱76.4

$0.91 ₱53.5

$2.37 ₱139

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 ₱128

$1.45 ₱85.2

$4.11 ₱241

Milk (1 liter)

$1.86 ₱109

$1.41 ₱82.6

$2.9 ₱170

White Bread (500g)

$1.26 ₱74

$0.91 ₱53.1

$1.8 ₱106

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 ₱59.2

$0.85 ₱49.52

$1.28 ₱74.9

Eggs

$2 ₱117

$1.25 ₱73.5

$2.72 ₱159

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.19 ₱480

$3.63 ₱212

$14.48 ₱848

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.29 ₱252

$2.69 ₱157

$6.26 ₱367

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.5 ₱439

$6.03 ₱353

$10.02 ₱587

Apples (1kg)

$2.96 ₱174

$1.8 ₱105

$4.5 ₱263

Banana (1kg)

$1.58 ₱92.6

$0.91 ₱53.5

$2.95 ₱173

Oranges (1kg)

$2.58 ₱151

$1.39 ₱81.1

$5.1 ₱299

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 ₱91.7

$0.79 ₱46.41

$2.63 ₱154

Potato (1kg)

$2.3 ₱135

$1.22 ₱71.4

$3.61 ₱211

Onion (1kg)

$2.65 ₱155

$1.82 ₱107

$4.56 ₱267

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 ₱62.8

$0.57 ₱33.41

$1.74 ₱102

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 ₱45.04

$0.46 ₱26.78

$1.38 ₱81

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.81 ₱164

$2.41 ₱141

$3.51 ₱205

Wine (Bottle)

$6.66 ₱390

$3.34 ₱195

$11.67 ₱684

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.16 ₱68

$0.79 ₱46.07

$1.74 ₱102

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2 ₱117

$1.09 ₱64

$2.64 ₱155

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.26 ₱15.22

$0.2 ₱11.83

$0.26 ₱15.22

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.76 ₱44.75

$0.68 ₱39.72

$0.85 ₱49.79

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.22 ₱12.82

$0.13 ₱7.8

$0.43 ₱25.08

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.18 ₱128

$3.64 ₱213

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 ₱67

$1.08 ₱63.4

$1.27 ₱74.1

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

$26.3K ₱1.5M

$24.5K ₱1.4M

$28K ₱1.6M

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

$20.4K ₱1.2M

$19.4K ₱1.1M

$23K ₱1.3M

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

$111 ₱6,486

$78.5 ₱4,601

$190 ₱11.1K

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

$32.55 ₱1,907

$8.8 ₱515

$43.99 ₱2,577

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$27.12 ₱1,589

$23.62 ₱1,384

$38.49 ₱2,255

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.53 ₱2,023

$14.43 ₱846

$40.6 ₱2,378

Cinema Ticket

$5.76 ₱338

$4.3 ₱252

$7.74 ₱454

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

$153 ₱8,947

$67 ₱3,922

$357 ₱20.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,296 ₱251.7K

$2,119 ₱124.1K

$7,946 ₱465.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.99 ₱2,636

$8.71 ₱510

$69.7 ₱4,081

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.72 ₱1,565

$8.9 ₱522

$53.4 ₱3,131

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.8 ₱4,499

$45.18 ₱2,647

$108 ₱6,352

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.8 ₱3,092

$31.67 ₱1,855

$106 ₱6,183

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$264 ₱15.4K

$152 ₱8,910

$358 ₱21K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$174 ₱10.2K

$101 ₱5,889

$223 ₱13.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$593 ₱34.7K

$268 ₱15.7K

$776 ₱45.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$400 ₱23.5K

$216 ₱12.6K

$495 ₱29K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,364 ₱138.5K

$826 ₱48.4K

$2,364 ₱138.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.67

4.5

8.5

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

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Cost of Living in Palawan - Frequently Asked Questions

Palawan can feel like a bargain if you focus on local options and flexible plans. You will find affordable guesthouses, simple bungalows, and street-food meals that keep daily costs reasonable, especially outside peak season. The caveat is island logistics and ecotourism hotspots that push prices in those areas. You can stretch your budget by cooking with local produce, choosing longer-term stays in towns like Puerto Princesa, and using ferries rather than quick flights for inter-island hops. Cost of Living in Palawan, Philippines. Tip: Plan around shoulder seasons to stretch your budget without sacrificing the experience.

Daily life centers on a light footprint and local flavor. In housing, look for long-term rentals in Puerto Princesa or coastal towns; you will often find modest options with kitchens and dependable internet, suited for remote work. Food options range from fresh seafood and produce at markets to inexpensive carinderias that let you sample authentic flavors without overpaying. Transport relies on scooters, shared vans, ferries, and occasional flights to reach outer islands. Errands can be straightforward but expect slower service in more remote villages. Understanding the Palawan, Philippines living cost helps you balance rent, groceries, and transport as you map a practical monthly plan. Tip: Build a simple budget matrix and test neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life here comes from balancing nature, pace, and practical planning. Build a simple monthly budget that covers housing, food, transport, and occasional splurges, then adjust by season: quieter months may bring better deals on accommodations and activities. Choose neighborhoods by vibe: a beachside town for sunsets and faster internet, or a inland village for lower noise and stronger community ties. Save tips include cooking at home with fresh produce, sharing rides, and using public ferries over private charters when possible. Tip: Start with a two-week stay in a base area to test comfort and connectivity.