Cost of Living in Manila
Philippines
Comfortable budget (single)
$1,559/month
Range $985–$1,559/month
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Manila?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Daily costs at a glance
Typical prices you'll pay in Manila for everyday essentials.
Coffee
$2
flat white at cafe
Beer
$2.8
pint at pub
Lunch
$8
meal at inexpensive restaurant
Groceries
$195
single-person monthly groceries
Transport
$43
monthly pass
Gym
$21
monthly membership
Full cost breakdown
Colors show how each category compares to the global average of our 100 tracked cities.
| Category | USD/month | vs global |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $738–$1,149 | ↓ -53% |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $390–$615 | ↓ -53% |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $31–$59 | ↓ -54% |
| Internet & Mobile | $12–$21 | ↓ -53% |
| Groceries (monthly) | $156–$234 | ↓ -53% |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $21–$37 | ↓ -53% |
| Coffee | $2–$2 | ↓ -50% |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $39–$47 | ↓ -53% |
| Gym membership | $14–$27 | ↓ -53% |
| Cinema ticket | $6–$7 | ↓ -54% |
Housing market
Rent vs buy snapshot for Manila — useful if you're comparing long-term relocation options.
Rent (1-bed center)
$738–$1,149/mo
Buy center (per m²)
$4,510
Buy outside (per m²)
$2,480
Price-to-rent ratio
18×
Avg mortgage rate
7.2%
💰 Mortgage estimate: a 60 m² apartment in Manila center at ~$4,510/m² with a 25y loan at 7.2% would cost roughly $1,947/month — compare that to the rent range above.
Local salaries (monthly net, USD)
Typical take-home in Manila. A green badge means the salary covers at least 2.5× the max rent for a 1-bed in the center.
| Role | Monthly net | Covers rent? |
|---|---|---|
| Average net salary | $750 | ❌ No |
| Software engineer (mid) | $1,300 | ❌ No |
| Marketing manager | $1,000 | ❌ No |
| Teacher (secondary) | $600 | ❌ No |
| Nurse (RN) | $700 | ❌ No |
Local insider tips
Practical ways to cut costs that actually work in Manila.
Utilize the Beep Card for convenient and cashless travel on Manila's MRT and LRT train lines, as well as select bus routes.
For authentic and budget-friendly meals, explore the diverse street food stalls and eateries in Binondo (Chinatown).
Shop for fresh produce and local goods at public markets like Farmers Market in Cubao for significant savings compared to supermarkets.
Budget scenarios
Single
$985–$1,559/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,149/mo
- Groceries: ~$234/mo
- Transport: ~$47/mo
Couple
$1,559–$2,379/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,149/mo
- Groceries: ~$234/mo
- Transport: ~$47/mo
Family
$2,256–$3,487/month
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,149/mo
- Groceries: ~$234/mo
- Transport: ~$47/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Manila Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $923–$1,436/mo
Manila Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $812–$1,264/mo
Manila Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $590–$919/mo
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • English
- • BPO industry
- • Value
❌ Cons
- • Traffic
- • Flooding
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Compare Manila with another city
Related articles
Cost of Living in Krakow 2026
Estimate your monthly budget for Krakow in 2026. See realistic cost ranges for rent, food, transport, and lifestyle expenses.
4/24/2026
Cost of Living in Miami 2026
Estimate your monthly budget for Miami in 2026. See realistic cost ranges for rent, food, transport, and lifestyle expenses.
4/23/2026
Cost of Living in Porto 2026
Estimate your monthly budget for Porto in 2026. See realistic cost ranges for rent, food, transport, and other lifestyle expenses.
4/22/2026
Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.