Cost of Living Comparison Between Cebu and Manila 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in Manila is 6.7% higher than in Cebu (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Manila is 14.2% higher than in Cebu | |
| Rent Prices in Manila are 38.1% higher than in Cebu | |
| Restaurant Prices in Manila are 14.0% higher than in Cebu | |
| Groceries Prices in Manila are 3.0% higher than in Cebu | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Manila is 7.5% 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 | ₱1,635.00 | +9.0 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | ₱275.00 | ₱250.00 | -9.1 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | ₱95.39 | ₱90.00 | -5.6 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | ₱120.00 | ₱189.50 | +57.9 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | ₱152.41 | ₱161.17 | +5.7 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | ₱77.50 | ₱94.25 | +21.6 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | ₱33.33 | ₱51.70 | +55.1 % |
Markets | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | ₱132.01 | ₱116.68 | -11.6 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | ₱78.20 | ₱72.95 | -6.7 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) | ₱28.41 | ₱27.87 | -1.9 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | ₱130.73 | ₱134.31 | +2.7 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | ₱298.82 | ₱221.13 | -26.0 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | ₱130.25 | ₱136.32 | +4.7 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | ₱217.25 | ₱194.34 | -10.5 % |
| Apples (1 lb) | ₱96.66 | ₱96.62 | -0.1 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) | ₱40.53 | ₱52.26 | +28.9 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) | ₱72.16 | ₱87.69 | +21.5 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | ₱43.03 | ₱56.30 | +30.8 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | ₱67.93 | ₱64.70 | -4.8 % |
| Onions (1 lb) | ₱57.12 | ₱75.41 | +32.0 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | ₱75.95 | ₱148.16 | +95.1 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | ₱41.64 | ₱35.67 | -14.3 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ₱400.00 | ₱600.00 | +50.0 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | ₱74.65 | ₱84.21 | +12.8 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | ₱107.85 | ₱151.25 | +40.2 % |
| 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 | ₱900.00 | +15.4 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | ₱45.00 | ₱50.00 | +11.1 % |
| 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) | ₱67.87 | ₱67.53 | -0.5 % |
| 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 | ₱1,245,000.00 | -7.8 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | ₱6,846.58 | ₱7,220.97 | +5.5 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | ₱1,068.68 | ₱862.00 | -19.3 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | ₱1,768.08 | ₱1,503.71 | -15.0 % |
Sports And Leisure | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | ₱2,033.33 | ₱2,639.00 | +29.8 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | ₱406.90 | ₱331.25 | -18.6 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | ₱350.00 | ₱400.00 | +14.3 % |
Childcare | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | ₱17,361.17 | ₱33,624.30 | +93.7 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | ₱502,777.78 | ₱612,469.60 | +21.8 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | ₱3,060.43 | ₱3,533.33 | +15.5 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | ₱1,650.93 | ₱2,061.25 | +24.9 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | ₱4,812.35 | ₱4,890.82 | +1.6 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | ₱3,641.78 | ₱3,752.36 | +3.0 % |
Rent Per Month | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | ₱31,791.67 | ₱34,411.06 | +8.2 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | ₱19,050.00 | ₱17,364.21 | -8.8 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | ₱65,133.33 | ₱116,777.67 | +79.3 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | ₱39,400.00 | ₱45,975.00 | +16.7 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | ₱17,001.11 | ₱25,304.25 | +48.8 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | ₱11,055.37 | ₱15,220.49 | +37.7 % |
Salaries And Financing | Cebu Edit |
Manila Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ₱22,884.50 | ₱28,082.26 | +22.7 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 7.00 | 7.43 | +6.2 % |
| Last update: | 4 May 2026 | 6 May 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 39 | 73 | |
Moving to Cebu? Explore:
Moving to Manila? Explore:
Cities near Cebu: | Cost of Living in Mandaue | 5.28 miles |
| Cost of Living in Dalaguete | 52.12 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 |