Philippines Cost of Living
Cost of Living in the Philippines for Expats
Start with a city, a housing choice, and the way you actually spend. Compare 12 city budget estimates below, then replace the assumptions with your own rent, bills, and healthcare quote. A monthly total is a starting point, not a promise.
Budget
Keep fixed costs low
A simpler apartment, mostly home cooking or local meals, and fewer discretionary expenses. Check the actual neighborhood before committing.
Moderate
Balance space and spending
A more comfortable apartment and a mix of groceries and meals out. Your commute and air-conditioning use can move the total considerably.
Comfortable
Allow more flexibility
More room for housing and discretionary spending. This label does not guarantee private insurance, schooling, a car, or international travel.
What these budgets mean
The USD table is an editorial comparison of three lifestyles. It is not a survey of what residents spend, and the category estimates are not a personalized bill. Each city page gives the date of its underlying USD data.
The calculator uses a separate, twelve-category model for one adult, built in Philippine pesos from dated listings, provider prices, and stated spending allowances. It does not convert the table into a more accurate version of the same budget.
Read the worked Cebu budget to see every assumption and source. Then edit the calculator for your household.
Keep move-in cash separate
- Monthly bills: rent, food, utilities, transport, and the other categories shown. Condo dues and internet installation depend on the specific example.
- Upfront costs: flights, temporary lodging, deposit and advance rent, furniture, and document fees. Ask for a written lease quote; deposit terms vary.
- Personal extras: hospital and evacuation insurance, school fees, a car, dependents, visa renewals, tax liabilities, and an emergency reserve need their own allowances.
- Currency: the USD table has no documented exchange-rate basis. Do not treat it as a current peso quote. The calculator shows the dated exchange rate it uses; bank fees and spreads are extra.
Monthly budget by city
Editorial lifestyle estimates in USD, not measured city averages. Click a city for the assumptions and data date. Compare housing locations as well as totals.
| City | Budget / mo | Moderate / mo | Comfortable / mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dumaguete | $500 | $900 | $1,650 |
| Iloilo City | $500 | $800 | $1,400 |
| Baguio City | $550 | $1,000 | $1,750 |
| Angeles City | $600 | $1,000 | $1,800 |
| Davao City | $600 | $1,100 | $1,950 |
| Manila | $600 | $1,100 | $1,950 |
| Tagaytay | $600 | $1,000 | $1,700 |
| Cebu City | $700 | $1,300 | $2,350 |
| Siargao | $700 | $1,200 | $2,000 |
| Subic Bay | $700 | $1,100 | $1,900 |
| Makati | $900 | $1,600 | $2,750 |
| Bonifacio Global City | $1,200 | $2,100 | $3,650 |
Choose a city you can live in
Shortlist places with the hospitals, work setup, and transport you need. Then compare a real apartment in each location, test the journey to work or school, and ask about electricity and internet before signing. A cheaper apartment far from your daily life can cost more in transport and time.
Budget explanation updated September 15, 2026. Individual price-source dates vary.
Use the cost of living calculator
Enter your current expenses and see a starting monthly budget for one of our Philippine destinations — then edit it until it fits, with PHP conversion built in.
Open the calculator