Photo: Stefan Munder · CC BY 2.0
Cost of Living in Manila, Philippines
Manila is a city in Philippines, where a single person can expect to spend about $891 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $548 per month, or $279 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 108 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Manila scores 48/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 88°F and winter highs around 84°F, with roughly 221 sunny days a year.
Manila Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Manila
How Manila Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Manila is cheaper than 78% of them, but sits in the bottom 10% for air quality.
| Metric | Manila | World rank | Rank in Asia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $891 | #73 of 340 | #33 of 65 |
| Safety | 48/100 | #249 of 340 | #62 of 65 |
| Healthcare | 63/100 | #217 of 340 | #40 of 65 |
| Internet speed | 108 Mbps | #232 of 340 | #39 of 65 |
| Walkability | 42/100 | #243 of 340 | #43 of 65 |
| Public transit | 30/100 | #199 of 340 | #36 of 65 |
| Food scene | 72/100 | #178 of 340 | #54 of 65 |
| Air quality | 59/100 | #307 of 340 | #46 of 65 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Manila
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Manila.
- Goa, India — $487/mo, 45% cheaper, safety 58/100
- Nha Trang, Vietnam — $580/mo, 35% cheaper, safety 72/100
- Da Nang, Vietnam — $722/mo, 19% cheaper, safety 75/100
- Colombo, Sri Lanka — $750/mo, 16% cheaper, safety 58/100
Communities & Expat Groups
Manila Digital Nomads & Creatives
Manila FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Manila?
A single person should budget around $891 per month in Manila, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $2,179 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Manila?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Manila averages $548 per month, dropping to about $279 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,864.
Is Manila safe?
Manila scores 48/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 48/100.
How fast is the internet in Manila?
Median download speeds in Manila are around 108 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 35 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Philippines offer a digital nomad visa?
Philippines does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 30 days visa-free.
What is the weather like in Manila?
Manila sees summer highs around 88°F and winter highs near 84°F, with about 221 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 126 days.
Manila in our travel guides
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