Rio de Janeiro vs Cebu

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Rio de Janeiro is roughly 3% more affordable than Cebu (index 17 vs 18, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Rio de Janeiro
More affordable overall
3% cheaper than Cebu · Cost index: 17 vs 18

Life Power at $3,000/mo

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

Head-to-Head Stats

17Cost Index18
762Median Income /mo370
45Safety Index60
27.5Income Tax %15
65Internet (Mbps)82
350Coworking /mo180

Price Breakdown

Rio de JaneiroCategoryCebu
$680/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
46% ← cheaper
$365/month
$1.13/liter
Meal for One
34% cheaper →
$1.7/liter
$7.2/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
44% ← cheaper
$4/meal
$39/month
Monthly Transit Pass
62% ← cheaper
$15/month
$72/month
Utilities (Monthly)
31% cheaper →
$105/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
17% ← cheaper
$50/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Rio de Janeiro

Internet65 Mbps
Coworking$350/mo
Café WiFifair
Englishlow
Communitygrowing
Walkability70/100

Cebu

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rio de Janeiro cheaper than Cebu?

Rio de Janeiro is cheaper than Cebu. Rio de Janeiro has a cost of living index of 17/100 compared to 18/100 for Cebu (New York = 100), making it roughly 3% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Rio de Janeiro than Cebu?

Rio de Janeiro is approximately 3% cheaper than Cebu based on cost index scores (17 vs 18, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Cebu could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,906/month in Rio de Janeiro.

What is the rent comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Cebu?

In Rio de Janeiro, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $680/month. In Cebu, the equivalent is around $365/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Rio de Janeiro or Cebu?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Rio de Janeiro offers 65 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$350/month. Cebu offers 82 Mbps and coworking at ~$180/month. Rio de Janeiro has a cost advantage of 3%.

What is the average income in Rio de Janeiro vs Cebu?

The median net monthly salary in Rio de Janeiro is approximately $762 USD, compared to $370 USD in Cebu.

Compare Rio de Janeiro with…

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