Cebu vs Cape Town

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Cebu is roughly 11% more affordable than Cape Town (index 18 vs 20, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Cebu
More affordable overall
11% cheaper than Cape Town · Cost index: 18 vs 20

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

18Cost Index20
370Median Income /mo1,620
60Safety Index50
15Income Tax %16
82Internet (Mbps)75
180Coworking /mo110

Price Breakdown

CebuCategoryCape Town
$365/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
67% cheaper →
$1,100/month
$1.7/liter
Meal for One
41% ← cheaper
$1/liter
$4/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
64% cheaper →
$11/meal
$15/month
Monthly Transit Pass
73% cheaper →
$55/month
$105/month
Utilities (Monthly)
24% ← cheaper
$80/month
$50/visit
Doctor Visit
17% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Cebu

Internet82 Mbps
Coworking$180/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability68/100

Cape Town

Internet75 Mbps
Coworking$110/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability70/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cebu cheaper than Cape Town?

Cebu is cheaper than Cape Town. Cebu has a cost of living index of 18/100 compared to 20/100 for Cape Town (New York = 100), making it roughly 11% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Cebu than Cape Town?

Cebu is approximately 11% cheaper than Cape Town based on cost index scores (18 vs 20, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Cape Town could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,667/month in Cebu.

What is the rent comparison between Cebu and Cape Town?

In Cebu, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $365/month. In Cape Town, the equivalent is around $1,100/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Cebu or Cape Town?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Cebu offers 82 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$180/month. Cape Town offers 75 Mbps and coworking at ~$110/month. Cebu has a cost advantage of 11%.

What is the average income in Cebu vs Cape Town?

The median net monthly salary in Cebu is approximately $370 USD, compared to $1,620 USD in Cape Town.

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