Budgets · 2026
Cost of living in the Philippines.
Not Numbeo averages. Ranges based on verified utility rates, real rental listings, and actual prices. Updated for 2026.
Monthly scenarios
Three honest budgets.
Assumes renting, cooking at least half the time, and living in the city proper.
Solo, modest
₱20k–38k
per month
- Rent₱5,000–15,000
- Electricity₱1,500–3,500
- Water₱250–500
- Internet₱888–1,699
- Food₱6,000–10,000
- Transport₱1,500–3,000
- Phone₱300–500
- Misc₱2,000–4,000
BPO worker, student, single professional outside IT Park.
Couple, comfortable
₱35k–55k
per month
- Rent₱12,000–22,000
- Electricity₱3,000–5,500
- Water₱350–700
- Internet₱1,299–1,999
- Food₱10,000–16,000
- Transport₱3,000–5,000
- Phone (2x)₱600–1,000
- Misc₱3,000–5,000
Dual-income couple sharing a 1BR in Lahug or Banilad.
Remote worker
₱50k–85k
per month
- Rent₱18,000–35,000
- Electricity₱4,000–7,000
- Water₱400–700
- Internet₱1,699–2,999
- Food₱14,000–22,000
- Transport₱4,000–8,000
- Coworking₱3,000–6,000
- Misc₱5,000–8,000
Freelancer earning USD/EUR, living in IT Park or Lanang.
City comparison
Same lifestyle, different city.
How costs shift between Cebu and Davao for matched expenses.
| Expense | Cebu City | Davao City |
|---|---|---|
| Studio rent (mid-range) | ₱10,000–18,000 | ₱6,000–14,000 |
| Electricity (no AC) | ₱1,500–2,500 | ₱1,200–2,000 |
| Electricity (AC 6–8 hrs) | ₱3,500–5,500 | ₱2,800–4,200 |
| Water | ₱259–700 | ₱200–500 |
| Internet (fiber) | ₱888–2,999 | ₱888–2,999 |
| Carinderia meal | ₱60–100 | ₱50–80 |
| Restaurant (casual) | ₱200–400 | ₱150–350 |
| Grab (5km) | ₱120–200 | ₱100–180 |
| Electricity rate | VECO · ~₱11.78/kWh | DLPC · ~₱10–11/kWh |
Rates as of early 2026. Based on VECO/DLPC schedules, Facebook Marketplace, Lamudi, and direct listings.
What moves the total
Four drivers of your budget.
Air conditioning is the biggest variable
No AC: ₱1,500–2,500/mo. Window-type AC 6–8 hrs/night: ₱3,500–5,500. Inverter saves 20–30%, but most rentals have the cheaper window type.
Neighborhood determines rent, not unit size
25 sqm studio in IT Park: ₱15,000–20,000. Same size in Mabolo: ₱7,000–12,000. In Mandaue: ₱5,000–8,000. Same unit, different address.
Cooking vs eating out: 40–60% swing
Market groceries: ₱5,000–8,000/mo. Carinderia daily: ₱6,000–9,000. Restaurants regularly: ₱12,000–20,000. Most people mix.
Transport depends on location choice
Near work: ₱500–1,500/mo. Far: ₱3,000–5,000+. Davao is always a transport cost. Cebu can be walkable if you pay more rent.
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