Cost of Living in Cebu, Philippines

Cebu has a cost of living index of 35/100 (New York = 100). It is 65% cheaper than New York. Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

35/100
Cost Index
$500/mo
Median Income
52/100
Safety Index
tropical
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

HousingScore: 28/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$420/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$310/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$780/month
Food & GroceriesScore: 32/100
Milk (1 liter)$0.85/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$1.2/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$0.75/kg
Dining OutScore: 30/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$4.2/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$20/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$3.4/meal
TransportationScore: 24/100
Monthly Transit Pass$8/month
One-Way Ticket$0.25/trip
Taxi (1 km)$0.23/km
UtilitiesScore: 35/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$110/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$25/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$8/month
HealthcareScore: 48/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$30/visit
Dentist Visit$35/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$5/course
EntertainmentScore: 38/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$4.5/ticket
Theater Ticket$15/ticket
Museum Entry$5/ticket
FitnessScore: 32/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$20/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$8/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$2/entry
Personal CareScore: 30/100
Haircut (Men)$8/cut
Haircut (Women)$15/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$2/bottle
ClothingScore: 35/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$35/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$20/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$50/pair

Digital Nomad Profile

75 Mbps
Internet Speed
$150
Coworking/Month
fair
Café WiFi
moderate
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
58/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: IT Park, Cebu Business Park, Mactan Island

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cebu cheap to live in?

Cebu has a cost of living index of 35/100, where New York = 100. It is 65% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $700–$980 per month.

How much does rent cost in Cebu?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Cebu costs approximately $420/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $310/month.

Is Cebu good for digital nomads?

Cebu has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 75 Mbps, café wifi reliability is fair, and coworking spaces run about $150/month. English proficiency is moderate.

What is the average salary in Cebu?

The median net monthly salary in Cebu is approximately $500 USD. The income tax rate is around 20%.

How does Cebu compare to New York for cost of living?

Cebu (cost index 35) is 65% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,625/month by moving from New York to Cebu.

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