Philippines (PH)
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago of 7,641 islands, the third-largest English-speaking country in the world, and one of the most welcoming destinations for expats.
Capital: Manila
Region: Asia
Language: Filipino
Currency: PHP (₱)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 30)
Emergency: 911
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Philippines — 2026 data in PHP.
30
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.
Rent
1-bed condo, BGC or Makati (expat standard, monthly) ₱35,000–₱80,000
2-bed condo, BGC or Makati (monthly) ₱65,000–₱150,000
1-bed apartment, Quezon City or Mandaluyong (monthly) ₱18,000–₱40,000
3-bed house, suburban Metro Manila (monthly) ₱40,000–₱100,000
Studio apartment, provincial city (Cebu / Davao, monthly) ₱8,000–₱20,000
2-bed condo, Cebu IT Park (monthly) ₱25,000–₱55,000
Food & Groceries
Rice (5kg bag, regular) ₱220–₱280
Chicken (whole, 1kg) ₱180–₱230
Pork (1kg, kasim / shoulder) ₱200–₱280
Fresh tilapia (1kg) ₱100–₱160
Eggs (1 dozen) ₱90–₱130
Milk (1L, fresh) ₱70–₱100
Tomatoes (1kg) ₱50–₱100
Imported cheddar cheese (200g) ₱180–₱350
San Miguel Beer (330ml) ₱40–₱60
Imported wine (bottle, mid-range) ₱700–₱1,500
Dining Out
Carinderia meal (turo-turo, rice + viand) ₱60–₱100
Jollibee Chickenjoy meal + rice + drink (iconic fast food) ₱165–₱200
Mid-range Filipino restaurant (2 persons) ₱600–₱1,500
Western-style restaurant in BGC (2 persons) ₱1,500–₱4,000
Brunch in BGC café (per person) ₱350–₱800
Starbucks latte (grande) ₱195–₱240
Local barako coffee (small café) ₱50–₱120
Transport
Jeepney ride (base fare, March 2026) ₱14–₱17
MRT-3 fare (EDSA, 50% discount from March 2026) ₱7–₱14
Grab car (10km in Metro Manila, off-peak) ₱150–₱250
Yellow taxi base fare + 5km ₱100–₱150
Tricycle ride (short barangay trip) ₱10–₱30
Petrol (unleaded, 1L) ₱57–₱68
Manila–Cebu domestic flight (one way, budget airline) ₱1,500–₱5,000
Inter-city bus (Manila–Baguio, 6h) ₱600–₱1,200
Health & Insurance
GP consultation (private clinic) ₱500–₱1,500
Specialist consultation (private hospital) ₱800–₱3,000
Emergency room visit (private hospital) ₱5,000–₱20,000
Complete blood count (CBC) ₱200–₱400
Chest X-ray ₱300–₱700
Dental cleaning ₱500–₱1,500
Paracetamol (500mg, 10 tablets) ₱15–₱30
Antibiotic course (prescription) ₱200–₱600
Utilities
Electricity (Meralco, 2-bed condo, monthly) ₱3,000–₱8,000
Water (Manila Water / Maynilad, monthly) ₱300–₱1,500
Internet (fibre 50 Mbps, PLDT / Converge, monthly) ₱1,299–₱2,499
Mobile postpaid (unlimited data + calls, monthly) ₱799–₱1,499
LPG cooking gas (11kg cylinder) ₱550–₱750
Childcare
Public elementary school Free
Private preschool / nursery (monthly) ₱3,000–₱8,000
Private K-12 school (annual fees) ₱30,000–₱120,000
International school Manila (annual) ₱300,000–₱1,200,000
Full-time nanny / yaya (live-in, monthly) ₱5,000–₱12,000
Leisure
Cinema ticket (SM / Ayala mall, standard) ₱250–₱400
Gym membership (mid-range, monthly) ₱1,500–₱4,000
Netflix subscription (standard plan) ₱549/month
Haircut (barbershop, male) ₱150–₱300
Haircut (salon, female, mid-range) ₱400–₱1,200
Island hopping tour (Palawan day trip) ₱1,500–₱3,500
Scuba dive (fun dive, equipment included) ₱1,500–₱3,000
Cost of Living
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