A growing number of expats and digital nomads are choosing the Philippines as their home and it’s easy to understand why. Not only is it simple to manage and send money to and from the Philippines, but it also has a warm and welcoming culture.
However, if it’s more than just a short-term adventure you’re after and you’re planning to move to this country of 7,641 islands, it’s important to understand the costs involved in immigrating and living there. The cost of living in the Philippines can vary widely depending on where you settle, so it’s a decision that needs careful consideration.
That’s why we’ve compiled this guide to what you might expect to pay for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and social costs. Plus, we included a few handy budgeting tips for different lifestyles.
Housing costs across the Philippines
The amount you pay for accommodation will depend on where in the Philippines you live. Like most countries, you might expect to pay more in the capital than pretty much else, and that’s certainly true of Manila, particularly if you live in an upmarket suburb.
Here’s an overview of how much you might pay monthly in the Philippines’ major cities at time of writing, depending on the type of accommodation you need:
| City | 1-bed apartment (USD) | 3-bed apartment (USD) |
| Manila | $249-$514 | $648-$1,770 |
| Cebu | $311-$500 | $600-$1,000 |
| Davao | $178-$306 | $374-$565 |
| Baguio | $129-$360 | $245-$510 |
The wide range to the prices in this table reflect the difference between living outside the city and staying in the center. You can also see that, as we mentioned, housing prices are vastly different from, say, Manila to Baguio.
Townhouses and houses are also available to rent in the Philippines. For example, in Davao, a two-bedroom detached house will cost between $425 and $510 per month, whereas a three-bedroom house will set you back between $765 and $850 per month.
Co-living spaces are another popular option for those staying long-term, especially young professionals and digital nomads.
Utilities costs
Utilities, streaming services and so on are pretty cheap in the Philippines compared to US prices. For basic utilities (including electricity, water, heating, cooling, and garbage), plus internet, TV subscription services, and phone plans, you’re looking at around:
| Basic utilities | Phone | Internet | Subscription TV |
| $100–$110 | $23 | $29 | $26 |
To save costs, consider staying further from city centers, occupying an unfurnished place, and conserving energy to keep utilities lower. And remember that exchange rate changes can affect these costs over time.
Food and dining expenses
When it comes to food expenses in the Philippines, buying fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat from a local market is often cheaper than shopping from a grocery store. The nearest market won’t necessarily be closer to home, though. Grocery stores may stock staples that local markets don’t have, and there’s likely to be one nearby.
Everyone likes a taste of home once in a while, but it’s going to be more expensive because products like wheat and beef tend to be imported because of the local climate and other conditions.
Eating out
This goes for restaurant costs, too. Imported beer will cost you $2.50-$4 or more, while a local beer will be cheaper. Speaking of which, a meal at a mid-range restaurant will set you back around $20-$30 for three courses without drinks. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost about $4 in comparison. You can also get some tasty food from Filipino street vendors for as little as $1-$2 per serving.
Overall though, eating out will generally cost more than cooking at home—for a single person, monthly groceries will cost around $135—$255 per month if you’re pretty much always eating in.
Transportation and getting around
There are numerous ways to get around town in the Philippines’ major cities: jeepneys, buses, metro rail transit/light rail transit, tricycles, ridesharing, traditional taxis, or your own motorcycle or car. Let’s compare what these options cost.
- Jeepneys and buses: $0.25-$0.85 per ride
- Ridesharing (Grab): $2.55-$6.80 per ride
- Car or motorcycle ownership: $170-$254 per month (including gas, insurance, parking, and maintenance)
If you have the free time, you’ll likely want to visit those thousands of islands we mentioned. There are metro rail systems in Manila and the Philippine National Rail connects major urban centers in Luzon, but to get from one island to another, you’ll need to either fly or take a boat/ferry.
Here are a few examples of the costs of moving between cities and islands:
- Taguig to Manila via Metro Manila: About $0.50
- Cebu to Manila via flight: Around $46
- Malay to Boracay via ferry: Roughly $6.80
There’s also a major project underway to connect the north to the south, with the development of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), which will link Clark and Calamba with Manila in the center.
Healthcare and insurance
Private healthcare in the Philippines is significantly lower than in the US, but still quite a lot more expensive than public care—two to five times more.
It’s important to note that private health insurance for expats in the Philippines often comes with limited cover, so you might want to look into international health insurance, too.
Private insurance generally starts from around $183 per year for pretty basic coverage, according to insurer MediCard.
Public healthcare can be good in the cities (although occasionally limited in terms of equipment), largely due to PhilHealth. This is good to know if you’re an expat with a recognized resident status (such as a permanent resident) in the country, as the system will cover you to a degree. You’re looking at a cost of between $255 and $290 annually, depending on your immigration status, to enrol in PhilHealth.
Common health expenses can cost the following:
- Routine consultation: Up to $26
- Specialist consultation: Up to $60
- One-night hospital stay: Up to $60
- Dental check-up: Up to $17
Compared to other Southeast Asian countries, healthcare is generally cheaper, particularly when looking at Singapore and Thailand. However, the quality of care can vary depending on the region in the Philippines; care in rural areas might not live up to the standards of the urban areas.
Education costs
Many immigrants from the US to the Philippines choose to send their children to international schools, as public schools can have large class sizes and teaching standards that vary widely by region. The Philippines’ international schools tend to follow American, British, or International Baccalaureate curricula, making it easier for children to adjust if they’ve already started their education somewhere else, too.
Average costs vary considerably and rise with your child’s age, but so does the quality and range of opportunities available. Some families opt for local private schools, which can provide a good education at a lower cost, particularly in larger cities like Manila or Cebu.
Entertainment and lifestyle expenses
Of course you’ll want to have fun when you immigrate to a new country. And that means you’ll need a budget for dining out, nightlife, and other social activities like sports, gym, hobbies, and travel. The Philippines is a beautiful country, and there’s so much to see.
Dining out, as we mentioned earlier, can be pretty cheap. But if you’re going to an expat bar, you’re looking at local beers at around $3.50 and cocktails around $7. Meanwhile, a trip to the cinema costs up to $8.50, a gym membership around $50 per month.
A quick weekend or few nights away should set you back around $250, depending of course on where you go and the type of accommodation you book. If you’ve got expensive taste, you can always find luxury options in the Philippines!
For most US expats, these costs are pretty affordable, but if you want low-cost or free entertainment options, look at exploring historical sites, such as Intramuros and Fort Santiago in Manila, explore the parks like the capital’s Rizal Park, or visit one of the countless beautiful beaches the country has to offer.
Sample monthly budgets by lifestyle
Just like in the US, your average monthly expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle. Let’s look at some examples.
Budget-conscious
- Average monthly cost: $800-$1,200
- Lifestyle: You will most likely live outside a major city, or in a more affordable one like Baguio. You might be co-living, and not have children of school age. You’ll need to buy a lot of your groceries from local markets and eat at home most nights. Your social activities will be limited, but you’ll have decent private health insurance that covers the basics, and you’ll make use of cheap public transportation options.
Middle-class comfort
- Average monthly cost: $1,200-$2,000
- Lifestyle: You may live within easy transport distance of a major city, and you’ll dine out occasionally. You can afford to mix some imported foods into your diet and can send your children to a private school. You may use public transportation or own an affordable car, have private health insurance that covers most eventualities, and spend enough time on social activities to keep you busy.
Luxury living
- Average monthly cost: over $2,500
- Lifestyle: You could afford a three-bedroom apartment in a city, your children could attend a private or international school, and you could dine out regularly. Your at-home cuisine options might include plenty of imported foods, and you’d own a decent car. You might afford some of the best health insurance options available and travel frequently.
Start planning your Philippine adventure
The Philippines offers fantastic travel opportunities for relatively little cost compared to the US, along with affordable housing, decent local transportation, great food, and entertainment. However, educational fees tend to be high if you send your children to an international school.
Proper budgeting can make all the difference to your experience of living in the Philippines; it allows for an economical way of life while providing more than enough comfort for singles and families. There are also useful cost-of-living calculators out there to help you work out what day-to-day living is really like around the country.
There’s so much to discover in this beautiful country: the 7,641 Philippine islands are your oyster, just waiting for you to explore them.
FAQs
How much money do I need to live comfortably in the Philippines in 2025?
Monthly living expenses are a lot more affordable than in most Western countries, where the cost of living is rising fast. Check out our guide above to see what it might cost you, depending on your lifestyle.
Which cities offer the best value for money in the Philippines?
Davao and Baguio are two cities that strike a good balance between cost and quality of life. Both offer affordable living, with access to decent private healthcare, good schools, and a wide range of restaurants. Davao is a larger, coastal city with a modern infrastructure and reputation for safety, while Baguio, set in the cooler mountain region, offers a more relaxed pace and lower housing costs.
They may not be as developed as Manila or Cebu, but they provide excellent value if you’re looking for a comfortable lifestyle without the higher price tag of the country’s major urban centers.
How have living costs changed in the Philippines?
Things are getting a bit more expensive in the Philippines, like pretty much everywhere else. In the last figures available, from September 2025, the annual inflation rate in the Philippines was 1.7%. Housing and utilities prices increased by 2.1% and recreation, sport, and cultural activities increased by 2.1%. So yes, living costs have changed, but not excessively so.
What hidden costs should I budget for when living in the Philippines?
While we’ve given an overview of the kind of common expenses you can expect to pay in the Philippines, there are likely to be unexpected costs, too. Consider visa fees, deposits on housing rentals, clothing, tax deductions, and other unexpected expenses.
Also, be aware of region-specific differences. In Manila, for example, you’ll pay more for fresh produce at a supermarket than you will at a local market in a rural area. Similarly, transportation, utilities, and internet services are more expensive in the capital city—even when compared with other major cities like Cebu.
Is it cheaper to live in the Philippines than in Thailand or Vietnam?
Of the three countries, Vietnam is generally considered to be the cheapest place to live for expats and digital nomads. It’s one of the lowest cost-of-living countries in Asia, and travel costs are low. Likewise, Thailand is typically more affordable than the Philippines, especially for long-term stays. Healthcare, for example, is widely regarded as excellent and affordable there.