Cost of Living in Manila: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities

If you are planning to move to the fantastic city Manila, you should be aware of the cost of living in Manila. It is a lively city and the capital of the Philippines, located on Luzon Island and mixes old Spanish-style buildings with tall, modern skyscrapers. At its centre, there is Intramuros, an old walled city that used to be the heart of Manila. You can visit the beautiful city and feel the marvel of it. Sometimes, in Manila, individuals have to pay for most things they enjoy, as each has its own expenses.

Understanding the cost of living in Manila is very important for the people who wish to move there for a job or higher studies to manage the budget accordingly. In the blog below, we have explored the various categories of the cost of living in Manila. Without further delay, let’s begin our discussion in detail.

What is the Cost of Living in Manila?

Around PHP 36,256 is the average cost of living in Manila for a single person excluding rent. It is around 63 per cent lower than the cost of living in New York without rent according to numbeo. Expats from all around the world are attracted to Manila because of its excellent living conditions, good salaries, and high-quality education system with advanced programs.

Before making the move to Manila, people should understand how much money they should keep with them to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in Manila. Here, we have gathered the average cost of living in Manila into distinct categories for the immigrants who wish to move here. Please take a look at this:

Also read: Cost of Living in Arizona: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Costs of Accommodation in Manila

When looking for accommodation to stay in Manila, finding a place or apartment there that suits your budget is crucial. Rental expenses play a significant role in the overall cost of living in Manila, and the accommodation cost can vary according to the location and type of apartment an individual prefers. 

For your reference, below we have included some data on average rental prices for apartments within and outside the city centre.

Apartment	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
One-bedroom Apartment	in the City Centre	PHP 25,818
One-bedroom Apartment	Outside of Centre	PHP 13,600
Three -bedroom Apartment	in the City Centre	PHP 89,230
Affordable Three -bedroom Apartment	Outside of Centre	PHP 35,142

Cost of a Utility in Manila 

When considering Manila’s estimated budget for living, it’s essential to consider the utility expenses along with the cost of living in Manila. However, utility expenses cover electricity, water, gas, heating, etc. Being aware of utility bills can help in estimating the budget. 

Below, we’ve provided a table detailing the average utility cost and its bills in Manila for your convenience.

Utility Type	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Cost (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage)	PHP 7,174
Internet (60 Mbps+, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly)	PHP 1,661
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	PHP 1,857

Cost of Grocery in Manila

Understanding the grocery expenses in Manila is important as they can directly impact the overall cost of living in Manila City. In Milan, groceries contain essential edible items such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, bread, water, and other everyday food items. 

Typically, the groceries cost in Manila is lower than the cost of living in Manila. In the table below, we provided an overview of the average individual grocery costs in Manila.

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
1 litre Regular Milk	PHP 104
500g Fresh White Bread	PHP 76
1kg white Rice	PHP 55
A dozen of Regular Eggs	PHP 117
1kg Apples	PHP 187
1kg Banana	PHP 97
1kg Oranges	PHP 194
1kg Tomato	PHP 122
1kg Potato	PHP 137
1kg Onion	PHP 173
1 litre bottle of Water	PHP 45

Also read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide

Restaurant Food Costs in Manila

If you plan to dine out for lunch or dinner, eating out in Manila’s restaurants plays an important role in budgeting for the cost of living in the city of Manila. The expense of dining out here varies based on factors like restaurant type, location, and cuisine preference. 

Generally, dining out in Manila costs more than cooking at home. To give you a clearer picture of the cost of meals at the Milans’s restaurants, below is a breakdown of the average restaurant prices in Manila:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal at Lunch in inexpensive restaurant	PHP 300
Meal in a Mid-range Restaurant, for 2 person	PHP 1500
Meal that is equiv. to McDonald’s	PHP 250
Cappuccino	PHP 169

Transportation Costs in Manila

Calculating transportation expenses in Manila is important as they can impact the overall cost of living in Manila. However, it’s crucial to understand the prices of tickets or passes for regular use of public transportation in Manila. 

Getting around Manila involves using various modes of local transportation, such as buses, trains, taxis, and Jeepneys. Take a look at the table below for details on transportation costs within the Manila area:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Local transport ticket	PHP 30
Monthly ticket in a local transport	PHP 582
Taxi Ride for 1 km tariff	PHP 13.50
Taxi 1 hour Waiting for Normal Tariff	PHP 132.52
Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal	PHP 65.50

Also read: Cost of Living in China: A Comprehensive Guide on China’s Expenses

Cost of Apparel in Manila

Another significant part of the cost of living in Manila is the cost of apparel. Several factors can influence the cost of apparel in Manila, such as shopping habits, seasonal apparel, and the quality of apparel you prefer. As a reference, we’ve provided average costs for apparel like jeans, shoes, and summer dresses. Please refer to the table below for insights into clothing expenses across the Manila area:

Clothes	Approx Cost
Pair of Brand Jeans	PHP 1,947
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store	PHP 1,600
Brand Shoes	PHP 4,264

Cost of Living in Manila vs Other Cities of Philippines

Comparing the cost of living in Manila to the cost of living in other cities in the Philippines, such as Cebu, Quezon, Angeles, and Davao, you can see noticeable differences in their expenses. However, each city offers a wonderful lifestyle at affordable prices. For your reference, we have shown a comparison between the cost of living in Manila vs other cities in the Philippines. Please take a look and guess which city you would prefer for your higher education:

Cost of living city-wise	Approx Cost	Comparison with the Cost of Living in
Cost of Living in Cebu	PHP 34,174	Lower than Manila
Cost of Living in Quezon	PHP 37,171	Higher than Manila
Cost of Living in Angeles	PHP 36,098	Approximately equal to Manila
Cost of Living in Davao	PHP 32,408	Approximately equal to Manila

Average Tuition Fees in Manila

Getting an estimation on the average tuition fees at universities in Manila, Philippines can assist students in managing the budget for their higher education in desired university. However, it’s important to note that tuition fees in Manila’s universities may differ based on the university and the chosen course or program.

Comprehending average tuition fees, along with the cost of living in Manila, is crucial for your educational finances and making a proper planning for your academic path. To assist you further, we have compiled a detailed breakdown of the average tuition fees at various Manila universities in the table below:

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees per year
Centro Escolar University	Bachelor: PHP 70,000 – 80,000 Master:  PHP 27,000 – 51,000
La Consolacion College – Manila	Bachelor: PHP 64,000 – 66,000 Master:  PHP 36,000 – 38,000 Doctorate: PHP 36,000 – 38,000
San Sebastian College – Recoletos	Bachelor: PHP 86,000 – 100,000 Master:  PHP 37,000 – 45,000
De La Salle University	Bachelor: PHP 205,000 – 225,000  Master:  PHP 37,000 – 100,000  Doctorate: PHP 110,000 – 205,000 (full program)
Mapúa University	Bachelor: PHP 130,000 – 195,000 Master: PHP 44,000 – 92,000  Doctorate: PHP 65,000 – 74,000 (full program)

Things to Know When Moving to Manila

Moving to a new city like Manila is an exciting experience, but it’s necessary to consider some key things, especially with the average cost of living in Manila. Before you move to Manila, it is helpful to consider a few important things so that you can effectively plan according to your budget. Few important things are given below:

Weather in Manila 

Manila encounters a tropical climate with high temperatures, humidity, and noticeable wet and dry seasons. However, Manila also encounters typhoons, especially during the rainy season. The climate of Manila can be divided into three main seasons:

Hot dry season: From March to May, featuring high temperatures around 28.3°C and limited rainfall.

Rainy season: Spanning from June to November, this season is characterised by frequent rain and the risk of typhoons.

Cool, dry season: This season brings cooler temperatures around 25.5°C and reduced rainfall from December to February. This kind of amazing weather in Manila makes it an amazing place to live. 

Jobs in Manila

Manila offers many job opportunities, supported by strong networking options for job seekers. The average post-tax salary in Manila is approximately PHP 29,102. This income level enables individuals to comfortably cover their cost of living in Manila and enjoy a good quality of life.

Manila is famous for

Manila is famous for its different food on every island. If you are going to live in Manila, Philippines, you should try as much food as possible, as every island’s version of one type of food will vastly differ.

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FAQs on the Cost of Living in Manila

So, this was all about the cost of living in Manila. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.