Manila, Philippines
Live cost-of-living data for Manila — rent, groceries, transport, healthcare and more, sourced and cross-checked by AI and refreshed regularly.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Each score runs 0–100, where higher means pricier. Representative prices shown per category.
Digital Nomad Profile
Best neighborhoods: Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manila cheap to live in?
Manila has a cost of living index of 16/100, where New York = 100. It is 84% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $560–$784 per month.
How much does rent cost in Manila?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Manila costs approximately $500/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $272/month.
Is Manila good for digital nomads?
Manila has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 109 Mbps, café wifi reliability is good, and coworking spaces run about $280/month. English proficiency is high.
What is the average salary in Manila?
The median net monthly salary in Manila is approximately $516 USD. The income tax rate is around 12%.
How does Manila compare to New York for cost of living?
Manila (cost index 16) is 84% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $2,100/month by moving from New York to Manila.
Compare Manila with…
Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where Manila wins or loses.
Cities that cost about the same as Manila
Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.
Compare Manila with another city
See exactly how Manila stacks up against your current city or next destination.
Free to start · No credit card needed