Compare the cost of your home country to the actual living costs in the Philippines, simply select your home currency and see the difference!
All data is kept up to date by local members and actual students. Our latest update was on: 30th of June 2020
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Food | Price in ₱ | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
12.50 PHP | ||||
7 PHP | ||||
8.50 PHP | ||||
38.75 PHP | ||||
8.50 PHP | ||||
25 PHP | ||||
7.50 PHP | ||||
48.95 PHP | ||||
0.95 PHP | ||||
9.50 PHP | ||||
12 PHP | ||||
18.50 PHP | ||||
8 PHP | ||||
10 PHP | ||||
20 PHP | ||||
2.00 PHP | ||||
5.50 PHP | ||||
8.50 PHP | ||||
25 PHP | ||||
Housing | ||||
165 PHP | ||||
145 PHP | ||||
58.50 PHP | ||||
105 PHP | ||||
200 PHP | ||||
200 PHP | ||||
120 PHP | ||||
2000 PHP | ||||
120 PHP | ||||
Personal Care | ||||
100 PHP | ||||
60 PHP | ||||
18 PHP | ||||
40 PHP | ||||
24.50 PHP | ||||
65 PHP | ||||
105 PHP | ||||
90 PHP | ||||
30 PHP | ||||
100 PHP | ||||
1000 PHP | ||||
3000 PHP | ||||
Entertainment | ||||
120 PHP | ||||
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120 PHP | |||
30 PHP | ||||
15 PHP | ||||
120 PHP | ||||
12.50 PHP | ||||
96.50 PHP | ||||
150 PHP | ||||
2000 PHP | ||||
200 PHP | ||||
500 PHP | ||||
Transportation | ||||
45 PHP | ||||
30 PHP | ||||
6.50 PHP | ||||
140 PHP | ||||
2300 PHP | ||||
Clothes | ||||
150 PHP | ||||
215 PHP | ||||
280 PHP | ||||
135.79 PHP | ||||
120 PHP | ||||
150 PHP |
The cost of living in the Philippines is less than in any Western country. Living on an island can cost you as low an average that ranges between USD$200 and USD$300 a month. While in the city with the apartments and condos it can cost you around USD$1100 a month.
Salaries
In the Philippines, just about everything can be bought cheaply compared to what you would pay back at home. Just take a look at the low wages in the country and it’s easy to understand why. Consider the fact that the minimum wage in Metro Manila (which has a high cost of living compared to the rest of the country) is PHP 491 a day (as of Apr 2017). Divide that by the exchange rate of PHP 50.19 to a US dollar, and that’s less than USD$9.78 a day.
Accommodation
Monthly rentals for sharing an apartment or a dormitory starts from 2500 Pesos. Expenses for other basic amenities such as electricity, water, internet, gas, a cable would be another 2000 Pesos. Average expenses for food can be estimated at another 2000 Pesos. Expenses for transportation, laundry, stationery, and personal supply can be at 1000 Pesos. If variable expenses such as clothes, books, health expenses, entertainment, personal care items are added, then total expense per month would be close to 9000 Philippine Pesos.
Food
A dozen eggs cost less than USD$1.75; the same as a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Rice is under 50 cents per pound, bread is less than USD$1 per loaf, and locally produced cheese is about USD$2.50 per pound. Pasta and other packaged foods familiar to expatriates are widely available in most of the country. According to Numbeo.com data, basic and mid-range restaurants are cheap enough that you can afford to eat out on a regular basis if you choose. A simple but tasty and hearty meal at a busy local restaurant costs around USD$3 on average.
Transportation
For the long distances on the bigger islands, the buses are the best possibility. In big cities like Manila or Cebu City, the most common mean of transportation is the jeepney. The price is 4 Pesos (for the first 3 kilometers) and 1 Peso more for each successive km. The taxi price for the first 500 meters is 25 Pesos and additional 2 Pesos for every 250 meters thereafter.
Medical Insurance
Enrollment in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, known as “PhilHealth” is mandatory for all expats who are employed in the Philippines. This health insurance program is government organized. It is funded in part by government subsidies at the local and national level. It’s also financed through company payroll deductions. In addition to emergency and urgent care, PhilHealth subsidizes inpatient care and non-emergency surgeries. However, it does not cover all medical treatments and costs.
PhilHealth Premiums are automatically deducted from payrolls and employees and employers share the cost. Expats who do not work for a major employer can also voluntarily enroll with PhilHealth if they have legal residency status. As well, a limited number of foreign nationals can enroll in PhilHealth. The most common category of people which this applies to is those who marry Filipino citizens.
Entertainment
There are varied ways that you can entertain yourself in the Philippines and some of them include visiting the cinema, going to the gym, enjoying a field sport like football, tennis, basketball, enjoying a water sport such as snorkeling, underwater diving or paragliding. Some people consider meeting up with friends over drinks as another form of entertainment while for some, enjoying a game of sport on the TV is entertaining.
Cinema and Sports
Cinema forms one of the main entertainment aspects for the people of the Philippines. To go out for cinema, one has to shell out 170 P for one ticket. If you are into sports and like playing tennis, then renting a tennis court for your entertainment can cost you around 133.33 P for one hour. A one-month membership into a fitness club or gym can cost around 1690 P.
Nightclubs and Bars
Nightclubs and bars form other common and popular forms of entertainment for youngsters of the Philippines. Major urban areas like Cebu and Manila have many popular nightclubs and bars and some examples of these include Embassy Nightclub in Manila, B Side for live music, Conspiracy bar, and garden café in Manila and LA café. 1951 Penguin café is a popular café for hanging out.
Performance Arts and Theatre
If you are into performing arts and theatre, then the Amazing Philippines theatre in Manila Film center building will be a delight for you and will offer the best entertainment. Another option for enjoying cultural shows in the Philippines is the Cultural Center of Philippines which is the venue for many dance performances and music shows. This place attracts many locals as well as foreigners.