What is the cost of living in Cebu?

The cost of living in Cebu is 79.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 20.5). Groceries are 62.5% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 77.7% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately PHP 31,844 per month. Local purchasing power index is 29.9 (NYC = 100).

🇵🇭 Philippines · #491 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Cebu?

Q: Should I move to Cebu?

Cebu, Philippines has a cost of living 79.5% cheaper than New York City (index: 20.5). It is ranked #491 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is very weak (index: 29.9 vs NYC = 100). Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

79.5% cheaper to live here than in New York City.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-79.5%

vs NYC

PHP 31,844

1-BR, city centre

29.9

Purchasing Power

Very weak

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Cebu?

Cost breakdown: Cebu

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

20.5 Affordable

Rent

11.5 Very affordable

Groceries

37.5 Affordable

Restaurants

22.3 Very affordable

Purchasing Power

29.9 Very weak

Rent in Cebu

1-BR, city centre PHP 31,844/mo

1-BR, outside centre PHP 19,032/mo

3-BR, city centre PHP 66,964/mo

3-BR, outside centre PHP 39,364/mo

Save by going outside centre 40% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇵🇭 Quezon City

Philippines

CoL index 19.0

Compare Quezon City vs Cebu →

🇵🇭 Manila

Philippines

CoL index 25.8

Compare Manila vs Cebu →

🇵🇭 Makati

Philippines

CoL index 27.8

Compare Makati vs Cebu →

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Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Cebu after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

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