Manila, Philippines

Cost of Living in Manila, Philippines

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Manila costs approximately $891 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $548. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

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 351 sunny days a year.

Top for Medical TourismTop for Night MarketTop for CasinoLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$891≈ $30/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$548
Internet108 Mbps
Safety48/100
Avg Temp86°F

Manila Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$6.03
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$25.83
McDonald's Combo Meal$4.30
Cappuccino$2.74
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$1.64
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.88

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.93
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.22
Eggs (12)$2.27
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$2.27
Apples (1 lb)$1.49
Bananas (1 lb)$0.87
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.03
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.09
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.64
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$10.33
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$3.27

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.52
Monthly Transit Pass$13.77
Taxi Start$0.77
Taxi (1 Mile)$0.40
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.09
VW Golf (New)$23,071.63

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$124.21
Mobile Phone Plan$14.91
Broadband Internet$26.14

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$43.96
Cinema Ticket$7.06
Preschool (Monthly)$513.04
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$12,105.49

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$51.92
Nike Running Shoes$79.34

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$548.38
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$278.82
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,864.20
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$732.32
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$419.26
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$248.53

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$487.47
Mortgage Interest Rate7.43%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$2,178.50
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$611.90

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Manila

Internet108 Mbps
Safety48/100
Healthcare63/100
Public Transit30/100
Walkability42/100
Nightlife68/100
Food Scene72/100
Fine Dining8/100
Coffee Culture55/100
Air Quality59/100
Green Spaces25/100
Culture45/100
Beaches85/100
Hiking60/100
Surfing40/100
Coworking Spaces35
US Visa-Free30 days

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.

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 351 sunny days and 236 rainy days per year.

Manila in our travel guides

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