Cost of Living in Cebu

Summary of cost of living in Cebu, Philippines:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 4.33 $ 1.73-6.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 17.30 $ 13.84-35.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 3.98 $ 3.46-5.00
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) 1.38 $ 0.87-1.56
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 1.73 $ 1.56-4.00
Cappuccino (regular) 2.34 $ 1.12-3.46
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 0.72 $ 0.43-1.38
Water (12 oz small bottle) 0.59 $ 0.35-0.87
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 6.89 $ 5.31-11.79
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 1.28 $ 0.97-2.08
Rice (white), (1 lb) 0.48 $ 0.39-0.55
Eggs (regular) (12) 2.11 $ 1.45-2.28
Local Cheese (1 lb) 6.79 $ 3.14-9.42
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 2.23 $ 1.57-2.75
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 3.14 $ 2.75-3.53
Apples (1 lb) 1.50 $ 0.47-1.96
Banana (1 lb) 0.65 $ 0.47-0.94
Oranges (1 lb) 1.40 $ 0.47-3.14
Tomato (1 lb) 1.12 $ 0.31-1.88
Potato (1 lb) 1.11 $ 0.47-1.33
Onion (1 lb) 1.58 $ 0.78-2.35
Lettuce (1 head) 0.95 $ 0.52-1.73
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.91 $ 0.59-1.56
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 7.31 $ 6.92-12.11
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 1.29 $ 0.95-1.73
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) 2.42 $ 1.04-5.19
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 2.60 $ 2.42-3.63
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 0.26 $ 0.21-0.43
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 14.71 $
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 0.74 $ 0.69-0.87
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 0.39 $ 0.36-0.53
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 2.60 $ 2.60-3.46
Gasoline (1 gallon) 4.30 $ 4.15-5.24
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 29,416.09 $
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 22,788.82 $
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 112.16 $ 77.87-173.04
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data 37.48 $ 25.96-43.24
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 29.41 $ 25.96-32.88
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 35.18 $ 5.19-43.26
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 3.75 $ 0.87-8.65
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 5.54 $ 4.33-8.65
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 265.32 $ 138.43-519.11
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 3,345.36 $ 1,384.29-6,921.43
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 44.00 $ 25.96-51.91
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 23.65 $ 13.84-34.61
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 69.21 $ 51.91-86.52
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 62.00 $ 51.91-69.21
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 461.43 $ 346.07-519.11
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 238.79 $ 173.04-259.55
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 663.30 $ 519.11-865.18
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 380.68 $ 346.07-519.11
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 317.34 $ 241.13-434.04
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 99.73 $ 40.19-138.43
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 418.80 $
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 7.67 7.00-9.00

Prices in Cebu

This city had 322 entries in the past 12 months by 58 different contributors.
Last update: November 2024
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
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20 Comments so far
Anonymous on Oct 04, 2024:
I am a frugal foreigner living in PH. Here are my costs - Rent for 1 bedroom condo in a middle tier developer (35k PHP), utilities (5k PHP), food (20k PHP), Gym (2.5k PHP), health care (5k PHP), Entertainment which is mostly paying for dates with my gf (20k PHP), buying stuff (10k PHP), other (16.5k PHP).

Cebu City is expensive. And the above is with me living alone...I can only imagine how expensive it is for those with families.
world citizen on Sep 27, 2024:
In my experience, the Philippines is perhaps the least tourist-friendly country. Everything is notably expensive, largely due to excessive staffing compared to other countries. At major shopping centers, it's common to see many workers socializing instead of working, which seems to reflect a general work culture there. Consequently, you end up paying three times more for services than you would in Vietnam. There seems to be little motivation for self-improvement; instead, there's a tendency to rely on having children to provide financial support later.
okthen on Aug 06, 2024:
It's so strange how prices in Cebu are a third higher than in Malaysia, where the infrastructure is so much more developed. And it's not just infrastructure – Malaysians can speak English better, have better food choices, better Internet connection, better Flight connections, better housing, better everything.
Anonymous on Jul 18, 2024:
@doesntmatter What other countries have you been into? Maybe you are comparing apples and oranges. Do you have the statistics/source to back it up. That may be your experience and also depends on how you are treating the people as well, it's a two-way street. But there are also foreigners who have loved the country and say that they have not been ripped off nor scammed by Filipinos. Filipinos in general look up to foreigners in such a way colonial mentality has brought them about. But don't exaggerate saying that you paid more for a tricycle than an expensive Tesla. That's just absurd. Even a mere simpleton can tell that's an exaggeration.
doesntmatter on Jul 15, 2024:
In other countries you are respected as a tourist and people don't try to take advantage of you. But in the Philippines there are so many bad people trying to rip off foreigners. They see you and immediately think "I will charge this guy 5 times the normal price". So you end up paying to drive a crappy 30-year-old tricycle that can barely move more than an expensive Tesla in other countries. I can't remember any other country where I've seen so many scammers as in the Philippines.
Anonymous on Jul 09, 2024:
@Anonymous Jun 8, 2024. That is your opinion. Of course, not everything you say is true. For example, you don't have to pay for all those fees you mentioned for all beaches, park or to change clothes. Regarding motorcycle accidents, it's not a fair comparison if you are comparing a developing country from a developed one. If you compare it with other Asian countries, motorcycle accidents in the Philippines are not the worst. Internet may not work in whatever area you are using it but for some it does work. I don't know where you are eating but there are some places with good food and there are some that doesn't have. Same with every other country. I'm not sure where you got your other info but this is very skewed and not a very objective opinion. And lastly, I disagree that this country is beyond redemption. It's called developing for a reason.
Anonymous on Jun 08, 2024:
The Philippines as a country is a joke. Want to go to the beach? Be prepared to pay environmental fees to enter the area, then another fee to park, then another fee to change clothes in a room and so on... I saw more motorcycle accidents in one week than in the West in the last 10 years. The internet doesn't work, the food is the worst on the planet, etc. but the Filipinos are fine with it. They keep electing criminals to government positions because they saw some Tiktok video where a paid influencer said they should vote for this guy. This country is beyond redemption.
Alex on May 10, 2024:
@beenthere I mean,what do you expect?It's an underdeveloped country that faces challenges like:Corruption,poverty,education and ect.
beenthere on May 06, 2024:
This country is so crazy, I can't find the words to describe it. For example, if you want to change money, in many smaller cities they will only accept bills in absolutely perfect condition. They will not accept it if your note has the slightest scratch on it. Internet is terrible and works worse than in Antarctica. The prices are the highest in the SEA region, but the service is much worse than in most of these countries. People are very uneducated, many taxi drivers don't know how to use a map... Girls there are slowly becoming as entitled as in the West, only their looks are not even close to that level. A lot of public toilets don't have paper, just water sprayers or something... I could tell you a million other reasons, but I don't think it's allowed to write so much text there.
Anonymous on Mar 06, 2023:
Philippines is a sht hole full of inbreds disease's and nasty women that stink like SHT.
Golub on Feb 28, 2023:
Ok, so for everyone to know. Philippines are so overpriced. Everything is 2, maybe 3 times more expensive than in Europe.
I live here and all i can say is that for a studio, which is positioned in bad area, because they are all bad, in middle of barangas, (poor people neighbourhood), price is 450$ without expenses
Now, only reason Americans come here is to sleep with young girls, because with money here, you can do whatever you want. Americans don't have lives in their own country and we all know that. Here they act big shoots even they can barely afford this life.
Philippians are cheap, you can sleep with any girl. Also you can find decent girls but mostly not.
Philippine guys are all hustlers! All of them , so you will have everyone trying to hustle you,you must be smart.
Everybody are nice but because they want your money, so basically hypocrites.
Groceries are incredibly expensive, for example, 10$ for kg of onions...
Enjoy your stay
Anonymous on Sep 16, 2022:
I want to take a break from Western life and live in Cebu for 6 months. I'm only bringing 6K usd.
Ian on Jun 15, 2022:
A Good apartment in Cebu city centre is about 25,000 (2 bedroom with pool). Plus bills ie Electric/ WiFi & water...on top
Cheap if you eat local food ..70,000 pesos needed for none drinkers / smoker couple.
TalisayForeigner on Mar 21, 2022:
Things here are more expensive than in east europe. Most things in the mall is more expensive (about 1-2x the price in East Europe). Rent is same or less expensive if you are lucky to find a nice place for good price (stay away from overpriced and small box condos). Electricity is about 2x more than price in east europe, so if your aircon is old get ready to pay 150 eur just for AC electricity.
Superman on Mar 08, 2021:
To those comments who don't like in cebu, please don't come back & go to CHINA Leave there, I think you are free in CHINA. Some are talking about the Duterd he is not forever leader in this Country, he follow how corrupt leader in America not to go to jail. You know what I mean, THINK
AA bbq on Jan 08, 2021:
Basically it's 25k / $500 for an underfurnished studio in most buildings in the center now.
Anonymous on Dec 09, 2020:
Hey Anonymous post November 27. You don't live in the Philippines at all so cut the BS you philippino.All foreigners know how Philippine citizens really are especially philippinas.They will jump in bed with their relatives for a few pesos but philippinas normally give it away for free to relatives.
Anonymous on Nov 27, 2020:
I just cann't believe the bullshit written here about Cebu and the Philippines.
I come and live here for more then 40 yrs, never lost a dime, never had any problems ( dont drink with Filippino guys).People are truelly friendly and willing to help, never even had a taxi trying to
Rip me off in Cebu.
Life is good and affordable.
Anonymous on Oct 20, 2020:
The Philippines is a nation of unique people, where the one-eyed man is king in the land of the blind.
In the Philippines you throw a dead bacteria on the street and it will multiply.
In the West, if you are not prepared for the winter you die of hunger and cold.
This is what sets cultures apart, the effort it takes to live.
Everything comes easy and people are easily pleased.
This is a culture of relationships not logic. Doing it right is not a priority. Doing it wrong is a chance to work another day.
One thing that is amazing is that everything is done by taking it easy.
If you are logical, result oriented and structured, stay away, you will die of stress.
If you want to take another look at life and live at a soft pace and you have what it takes to support yourself, find a wife, find a beach or a mountain, grow vegetables, have a chicken and a goat and live the life.
Every culture has its special treats and unpleasantries.
The Philippines and Cebu give you a blend of highly organized chaos and a way of life where simple things bring happiness.
Anonymous on Sep 23, 2020:
#Shaun you lived in all the wrong places then