For one person, living costs in Pasay are estimated at $907 a month, including rent and utilities – 20% above the national average. Rent and utilities take about half of the total.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Pasay actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends around $907 per month with rent, or $455 for everyday expenses alone.
$907 /mo
A couple spends around $1,237 per month with rent, or $760 for everyday expenses alone.
$1,237 /mo
A family of three spends around $1,567 per month with rent, or $1,065 without housing.
$1,567 /mo
📊
Overall, Pasay is 33–44% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 14% below average – relatively affordable for the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5K₱1.4M
$21.5K₱1.4M
$21.5K₱1.4M
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.2K₱1.2M
$19.2K₱1.2M
$19.6K₱1.2M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$139₱8,746
$78.7₱4,960
$236₱14.9K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.54₱916
$6.20₱391
$23.98₱1,510
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.75₱1,559
$22.68₱1,429
$29.16₱1,837
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.70₱3,004
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.26₱331
$4.52₱285
$7.27₱458
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$71.9₱4,526
$32.66₱2,057
$314₱19.8K
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,541₱160.1K
$1,291₱81.3K
$18.2K₱1.1M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.39₱2,229
$12.58₱793
$78.7₱4,955
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.32₱1,217
$5.05₱318
$31.55₱1,987
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.6₱4,508
$42.93₱2,704
$95.4₱6,010
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.6₱4,006
$39.74₱2,504
$79.5₱5,006
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$429₱27.0K
$366₱23.0K
$477₱30.1K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$312₱19.7K
$156₱9,842
$391₱24.6K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$827₱52.1K
$709₱44.7K
$945₱59.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$364₱22.9K
$253₱16.0K
$475₱29.9K
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,891₱119.1K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$575₱36.2K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$510₱32.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
7
7
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 12, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Pasay$907
Pasay$1,567
🏠Accommodation & Living
$313 34.5%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$186 20.6%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$178 19.7%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$85 9.4%
🍽Eating Out
$83 9.2%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$58 6.4%
🚌Getting Around
$2.5 * 0.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🏠Accommodation & Living
$364 23.2%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$436 27.8%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$193 12.3%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$190 12.1%
🍽Eating Out
$263 16.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$116 * 7.4%
🚌Getting Around
$5.3 * 0.3%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $429, dropping to $312 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 84% of the average salary ($510) – well above the 30% international benchmark.
💰The average net salary is $510 – below monthly costs of $907. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.
🛒Groceries cost around $186 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $19.00 – well below the Asian average of $36.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Fast food meal is cheaper than 93% of cities in Asia
Popular online taxi apps offering convenient, cashless rides in many countries, including Uber, Bolt, Grab, inDrive, DiDi, Careem, Gojek, Maxim, and Yango
English is commonly used in services, signage, and daily life
Cost of Living in Pasay - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pasay a good value for living as a traveler, expat, or digital nomad, and how does it compare to nearby areas?
For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, Pasay often feels like solid value within Metro Manila. The city balances access to big-city amenities with comparatively lower rents than the central business districts, and you can find a range of options from budget guesthouses to serviced apartments. Outside the MOA and Bay City cores, daily costs are generally more approachable, while safe, well-connected neighborhoods keep errands simple. Cost of Living in Pasay is often friendlier than in the most congested zones. Tip: plan stays around transit routes and shop at local markets for steady savings.
What does a typical day look like for a traveler or digital nomad in Pasay, including housing, food, transport, and coworking?
Daily life in Pasay offers accessible options for housing, from serviced apartments near the MOA complex to flexible leases in newer condo buildings. The Pasay living cost varies by district, so you can tailor where you stay to your budget and pace. Mealtime ranges from affordable street food to international cafes within shopping centers. Transit is practical: short rides connect you to train lines, bus routes, and ride-hailing options. For work, coworking spaces or quiet hotel lobbies work well, with a handful of budget-friendly cafes that have reliable Wi-FI. Tip: scout neighborhoods near transit for easy commuting.
How can you maximize quality of life in Pasay, budget effectively, and pick a neighborhood that fits your vibe across seasons?
Quality of life in Pasay blends easy access to malls, parks in newer neighborhoods, and a lively urban edge. A simple budgeting framework is to separate housing, food, transport, and incidentals, then set flexible weekly options. Seasonality mostly affects outdoor plans; the dry season is friendlier for strolling along the bay, while the rainy period nudges you toward cafes and coworking spaces. For neighborhood fit, sample areas around Mall of Asia, Entertainment City, and near transit hubs for safety, amenities, and walkability. Tip: spend a weekend in each area to feel the vibe before committing to longer terms.
What are the monthly living expenses in Pasay as of 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Pasay should plan on about $907 per month with rent, or $455 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
Is Pasay one of the cheaper cities to live in?
Pasay is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $907, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
What is the average net income after taxes in Pasay?
After taxes, the average worker in Pasay takes home about $510 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.
Is Pasay a good place to find cheap rent?
Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Pasay – 1-bedroom apartments range from $312 to $429 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Pasay?
A gym membership in Pasay runs about $47.70 per month – affordable by regional standards. Most gyms include basic equipment, group classes, and locker rooms. Boutique studios and personal training cost more, but the baseline is budget-friendly.
How expensive is preschool in Pasay per month?
Private kindergarten in Pasay costs about $71.9 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Pasay?
$1,200 a month in Pasay? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $907, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What are the pros and cons of living in Pasay?
Quality of life in Pasay is solid. Standout factors include fast internet, low crime rates, vibrant nightlife, backed by good public transport, varied dining and leisure, and well-maintained infrastructure. At about $907 monthly all-in, it suits mid-range budgets for a comfortable – if not luxurious – lifestyle.
Is Pasay budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Pasay is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $907 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.