Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Manila 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in Manila is 5.0% higher than in Cebu (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Manila is 10.9% higher than in Cebu | |
| Rent Prices in Manila are 29.8% higher than in Cebu | |
| Restaurant Prices in Manila are 12.3% higher than in Cebu | |
| Groceries Prices in Manila are 1.6% higher than in Cebu | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Manila is 9.1% higher than in Cebu | |
Restaurants | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 250.00 ₱ | 350.00 ₱ | +40.0 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 1,500.00 ₱ | 1,500.00 ₱ | 0.0 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 250.00 ₱ | 250.00 ₱ | 0.0 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 90.00 ₱ | 95.00 ₱ | +5.6 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 120.00 ₱ | 180.00 ₱ | +50.0 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 152.01 ₱ | 159.00 ₱ | +4.6 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 76.76 ₱ | 84.18 ₱ | +9.7 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 33.08 ₱ | 51.35 ₱ | +55.2 % |
Markets | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 130.34 ₱ | 111.81 ₱ | -14.2 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 80.93 ₱ | 70.72 ₱ | -12.6 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 28.70 ₱ | 26.44 ₱ | -7.9 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 130.83 ₱ | 132.04 ₱ | +0.9 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 298.82 ₱ | 228.87 ₱ | -23.4 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 124.58 ₱ | 131.89 ₱ | +5.9 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 215.66 ₱ | 206.61 ₱ | -4.2 % |
| Apples (1 lb) | 96.66 ₱ | 86.68 ₱ | -10.3 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 40.53 ₱ | 50.62 ₱ | +24.9 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 72.16 ₱ | 85.48 ₱ | +18.5 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 43.03 ₱ | 59.76 ₱ | +38.9 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 67.93 ₱ | 63.45 ₱ | -6.6 % |
| Onions (1 lb) | 57.12 ₱ | 75.91 ₱ | +32.9 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 71.62 ₱ | 125.20 ₱ | +74.8 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 41.64 ₱ | 36.92 ₱ | -11.3 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 400.00 ₱ | 600.00 ₱ | +50.0 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 74.65 ₱ | 87.49 ₱ | +17.2 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 107.85 ₱ | 134.78 ₱ | +25.0 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 184.26 ₱ | 190.00 ₱ | +3.1 % |
Transportation | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 15.00 ₱ | 30.00 ₱ | +100.0 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 780.00 ₱ | 800.00 ₱ | +2.6 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 44.00 ₱ | 45.00 ₱ | +2.3 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 21.73 ₱ | 23.34 ₱ | +7.4 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 279.00 ₱ | 120.00 ₱ | -57.0 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 60.27 ₱ | 63.78 ₱ | +5.8 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 1,340,000.00 ₱ | 1,340,000.00 ₱ | 0.0 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 1,350,000.00 ₱ | 1,263,181.82 ₱ | -6.4 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 6,509.93 ₱ | 7,214.18 ₱ | +10.8 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 1,221.19 ₱ | 865.95 ₱ | -29.1 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 1,738.43 ₱ | 1,518.15 ₱ | -12.7 % |
Sports And Leisure | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 1,916.67 ₱ | 2,553.08 ₱ | +33.2 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 406.90 ₱ | 333.33 ₱ | -18.1 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 350.00 ₱ | 410.00 ₱ | +17.1 % |
Childcare | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 17,361.17 ₱ | 29,797.49 ₱ | +71.6 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 502,777.78 ₱ | 703,087.00 ₱ | +39.8 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 3,060.43 ₱ | 2,850.00 ₱ | -6.9 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 1,650.93 ₱ | 1,832.22 ₱ | +11.0 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 4,812.35 ₱ | 4,608.25 ₱ | -4.2 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 3,641.78 ₱ | 3,140.72 ₱ | -13.8 % |
Rent Per Month | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 31,584.62 ₱ | 31,849.95 ₱ | +0.8 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 17,050.00 ₱ | 16,193.69 ₱ | -5.0 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 65,133.33 ₱ | 108,272.64 ₱ | +66.2 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 39,400.00 ₱ | 42,533.33 ₱ | +8.0 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 17,001.11 ₱ | 24,350.72 ₱ | +43.2 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 11,055.37 ₱ | 14,434.69 ₱ | +30.6 % |
Salaries And Financing | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 23,396.05 ₱ | 28,312.52 ₱ | +21.0 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 7.00 | 7.43 | +6.2 % |
| Last update: | 8 February 2026 | 7 February 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 37 | 66 | |
Moving to Cebu? Explore:
Moving to Manila? Explore:
Cities near Cebu: | Cost of Living in Mandaue | 5.28 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bogo City | 62.84 miles |
| Cost of Living in Daanbantayan | 79.77 miles |
Cities near Manila: | Cost of Living in Pasay | 5.21 miles |
| Cost of Living in Mandaluyong | 6.99 miles |
| Cost of Living in Makati | 7.06 miles |
| Cost of Living in Quezon City | 7.32 miles |
| Cost of Living in Valenzuela | 10.08 miles |
| Cost of Living in Pasig | 11.22 miles |
| Cost of Living in Cainta | 11.89 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bacoor | 12.87 miles |
| Cost of Living in Imus | 14.50 miles |
| Cost of Living in Alabang | 15.81 miles |