Cost of Living in Philippines - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Philippines
Address: PH

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $498 (excluding rent), and $790 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,181 (excluding rent), and $1,628 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.96 ₱237

$1.75 ₱105

$8.74 ₱525

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$21.21 ₱1,274

$13.25 ₱796

$53.0 ₱3,184

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.51 ₱211

$2.63 ₱158

$4.50 ₱270

Cappuccino

$2.30 ₱138

$0.87 ₱51.9

$3.97 ₱238

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

$0.73 ₱43.74

$0.43 ₱25.66

$1.38 ₱82.8

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.41 ₱24.87

$0.28 ₱16.79

$0.83 ₱49.75

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.35 ₱81.1

$0.90 ₱54.3

$2.70 ₱162

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 ₱125

$1.39 ₱83.5

$4.34 ₱261

Milk (1 liter)

$1.78 ₱107

$1.38 ₱83.0

$2.59 ₱155

White Bread (500g)

$1.31 ₱78.9

$0.87 ₱52.0

$1.80 ₱108

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.01 ₱60.9

$0.83 ₱49.68

$1.28 ₱77.0

Eggs

$2.14 ₱129

$1.51 ₱90.4

$2.94 ₱177

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.69 ₱462

$3.14 ₱188

$18.73 ₱1,125

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.38 ₱263

$2.47 ₱148

$6.18 ₱371

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.38 ₱443

$5.07 ₱304

$10.49 ₱630

Apples (1kg)

$3.08 ₱185

$1.45 ₱86.9

$5.42 ₱326

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 ₱90.6

$0.73 ₱43.74

$2.91 ₱175

Oranges (1kg)

$2.73 ₱164

$1.07 ₱64.0

$5.35 ₱321

Tomato (1kg)

$1.66 ₱99.9

$0.54 ₱32.68

$2.73 ₱164

Potato (1kg)

$2.27 ₱136

$0.90 ₱53.7

$3.57 ₱214

Onion (1kg)

$2.57 ₱155

$1.14 ₱68.4

$4.56 ₱274

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.45 ₱86.8

$0.54 ₱32.64

$2.73 ₱164

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 ₱45.96

$0.46 ₱27.70

$1.49 ₱89.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.02 ₱181

$2.31 ₱139

$3.56 ₱214

Wine (Bottle)

$6.35 ₱381

$3.90 ₱234

$13.04 ₱783

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 ₱72.3

$0.78 ₱46.94

$1.82 ₱109

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.92 ₱115

$1.07 ₱64.2

$2.68 ₱161

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.28 ₱16.91

$0.22 ₱13.16

$0.65 ₱38.84

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.75 ₱645

$6.23 ₱374

$18.26 ₱1,097

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.81 ₱48.70

$0.72 ₱43.22

$1.07 ₱64.5

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.25 ₱14.92

$0.20 ₱12.05

$0.43 ₱25.83

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.68 ₱161

$1.78 ₱107

$4.28 ₱257

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.13 ₱67.8

$1.04 ₱62.5

$1.31 ₱78.4

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

$22.8K ₱1.4M

$17.6K ₱1.1M

$28.1K ₱1.7M

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

$21.0K ₱1.3M

$17.4K ₱1.0M

$26.1K ₱1.6M

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

$106 ₱6,377

$61.0 ₱3,663

$185 ₱11.1K

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

$29.09 ₱1,747

$9.02 ₱542

$45.11 ₱2,708

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.24 ₱1,816

$24.76 ₱1,487

$44.21 ₱2,654

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.37 ₱1,943

$12.31 ₱739

$52.8 ₱3,168

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.73 ₱344

$2.73 ₱164

$9.10 ₱546

Cinema Ticket

$6.12 ₱367

$4.37 ₱262

$7.87 ₱473

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

$105 ₱6,322

$58.5 ₱3,510

$316 ₱19.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,391 ₱263.7K

$1,413 ₱84.8K

$8,832 ₱530.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.56 ₱2,736

$14.20 ₱852

$88.7 ₱5,326

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.94 ₱1,497

$8.71 ₱523

$51.3 ₱3,077

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.4 ₱4,468

$45.00 ₱2,702

$117 ₱7,026

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$62.6 ₱3,758

$26.25 ₱1,576

$140 ₱8,405

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$312 ₱18.7K

$140 ₱8,431

$649 ₱39.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$178 ₱10.7K

$88.0 ₱5,281

$387 ₱23.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$649 ₱39.0K

$261 ₱15.7K

$1,742 ₱104.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$359 ₱21.6K

$178 ₱10.7K

$891 ₱53.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,953 ₱177.3K

$842 ₱50.6K

$6,261 ₱375.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,381 ₱82.9K

$498 ₱29.9K

$3,383 ₱203.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$333 ₱20.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.22

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

Last update: April 12, 2026

By City in Philippines

Lowest

Highest

Rank	City	Population	Living Index	Solo costs (no rent) / month	Solo costs (with rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month	Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month	Mobile download speed (Mbps)	Internet download speed (Mbps)
51	Lipa	332386	31	$537	$618	$994	$1,416	229.14	182.64
52	Lucena	278924	24	$329	$491	$831	$1,254	90.63	162.71
53	Maasin City	85560	39	$584	$801	$1,328	$1,693	29.97	36.28
54	Magallanes, Cavite	23851	39	$556	$781	$1,089	$1,664	109.39	126.05
55	Makati	582602	61	$639	$1,229	$1,597	$2,830	107.21	200.79
56	Malaybalay	190712	39	$501	$787	$1,281	$1,612	359.86	77.71
57	Mambajao	41094	31	$456	$635	$982	$1,392	129.87	53.64
58	Mandaluyong	425758	43	$533	$844	$1,249	$1,779	85.96	208.8
59	Mandaue	364116	46	$558	$923	$1,300	$1,845	285.49	171.74
60	Manila	1780148	49	$572	$982	$1,334	$2,126	199.52	141.51
61	Marawi	207010	39	$418	$780	$1,277	$1,637	132.22	36.35
62	Marikina	456059	34	$487	$665	$1,155	$1,424	85.83	200.75
63	Muntinlupa	543445	46	$529	$942	$1,322	$1,953	35.97	190.02
64	Naga	115750	38	$449	$757	$1,076	$1,460	221.27	121.7
65	Negros	-	40	$530	$798	$1,203	$1,652	150.54	49.6
66	Nueva Ecija	-	33	$521	$659	$1,429	$1,495	157.45	116.07
67	Olongapo	233040	35	$520	$688	$1,165	$1,363	59.34	152.76
68	Ormoc	230998	39	$483	$778	$1,153	$1,671	104.51	77
69	Ozamiz	141828	39	$522	$774	$1,050	$1,609	54.74	78.53
70	Pagadian	199060	38	$551	$768	$1,165	$1,397	33	84.01
71	Palawan	939594	39	$481	$776	$1,116	$1,640	221.48	113.47
72	Pampanga	15616	33	$376	$671	$992	$1,532	134.58	169.17
73	Pangasinan	-	42	$499	$833	$1,067	$1,697	71.3	68.5
74	Panglao	39839	41	$392	$810	$975	$1,595	45.31	117.78
75	Paranaque City	-	46	$482	$934	$1,078	$1,850	34.93	200.67
76	Pasay	416522	46	$444	$922	$1,270	$1,711	125.34	181.56
77	Pasig	803159	44	$576	$873	$1,249	$1,945	139.37	218.01
78	Polomolok	172605	33	$400	$666	$1,029	$1,387	46.95	103.02
79	Puerto Galera	36606	45	$536	$884	$1,164	$1,839	45.71	82.22
80	Puerto Princesa	307079	41	$452	$826	$1,282	$1,576	15.51	113.47
81	Quezon City	2936116	45	$534	$898	$1,250	$1,832	43.12	201.34
82	Roxas	167003	31	$423	$623	$867	$1,314	135.46	97.83
83	San Fernando	354666	39	$490	$789	$1,124	$1,592	63.91	164.38
84	San Fernando, La Union	-	35	$483	$680	$1,008	$1,383	238.77	135.67
85	San Jose del Monte	651813	39	$524	$797	$1,198	$1,672	33.06	156.95
86	San Juan	126347	40	$511	$784	$1,260	$1,750	125.45	199.24
87	San Pablo	266068	42	$530	$844	$1,015	$1,644	42.57	139.72
88	San Pedro	326001	41	$483	$809	$1,156	$1,727	189.23	189.84
89	Santa Cruz, Laguna	123574	38	$512	$750	$1,142	$1,567	66.43	145.07
90	Santa Rosa	414812	37	$469	$730	$1,344	$1,506	163.3	179.44
91	Santiago City	-	33	$373	$662	$1,024	$1,423	-	-
92	Siargao	150000	39	$486	$780	$1,143	$1,658	68.75	83.56
93	Sorsogon City	168110	39	$440	$773	$1,241	$1,648	441.13	91.25
94	Subic Bay Freeport Zone	-	37	$504	$752	$1,314	$1,863	313.68	152.76
95	Surigao	171107	39	$423	$767	$1,099	$1,614	137	97.9
96	Tacloban	242089	42	$511	$851	$1,313	$1,539	103.77	108.48
97	Tagaytay	85330	39	$604	$760	$1,131	$1,651	77.15	152.8
98	Tagbilaran City	-	36	$477	$711	$1,010	$1,587	54.8	137.72
99	Taguig City	-	49	$486	$963	$1,341	$2,165	43.45	198.74
100	Tagum City	296202	38	$472	$751	$1,148	$1,575	83.17	106.88

Philippines Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

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

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Cost of Living in Philippines - Frequently Asked Questions

The Philippines often sits mid-range for Southeast Asia, offering a balance of value and lifestyle that suits travelers, expats, and digital nomads. The Cost of Living in Philippines tends to be lower in provincial towns and higher in major urban centers, especially near business districts and coastal hubs. You can stretch your budget by choosing longer stays in walkable neighborhoods with supermarkets, markets, and reliable public transport, and by combining room-sharing with quiet work-friendly spaces. Island life is delightful but can be pricier for housing and ferries; inland cities often deliver steadier costs and faster internet. Tip: Start with a short-term rental in a central area to test daily expenses before committing.

Daily life varies by island and city, but common patterns emerge. For housing, look for walkable districts near markets and transit; shared apartments or suites can reduce costs while keeping your workspace close. Food choices range from affordable street foods to fresh groceries for cooking at home; you'll find plenty of cafeterias and coworking-friendly cafes. Transport is diverse: jeepneys, buses, trains, and ride-hailing apps cover most routes, with some cities offering bike lanes. For digital nomads, neighborhood hubs with reliable Wi-Fi matter as much as proximity to cafes. The Philippines living cost tends to be steadier when you base yourself away from peak tourist seasons and in communities with local amenities. Tip: test several areas for internet reliability and noise levels before committing to a long stay.

Create a simple budgeting framework: categorize essentials, discretionary spends, and occasional splurges; track a monthly baseline with buffer for surprises like weather or travel. In the Philippines you’ll notice seasonal shifts in clothing, energy use, and transport demand; plan for heavier humidity summers by prioritizing shaded routes and airier spaces. Neighborhoods that blend affordability with access to amenities – markets, clinics, and coworking spaces – make daily life smoother. Try a two-step approach: sample a few districts during different times of the year, then pick a home base that aligns with your work hours, social life, and preferred pace. Tip: set a weekly review to adjust routines and cut variable costs early.