What is the cost of living in Manila?

The cost of living in Manila is 74.2% cheaper than New York City (index: 25.8). Groceries are 60.6% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 73.7% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately PHP 34,085 per month. Local purchasing power index is 36.0 (NYC = 100).

🇵🇭 Philippines · #422 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Manila?

Q: Should I move to Manila?

Manila, Philippines has a cost of living 74.2% cheaper than New York City (index: 25.8). It is ranked #422 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is weak (index: 36.0 vs NYC = 100). Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

74.2% cheaper to live here than in New York City.

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

-74.2%

vs NYC

PHP 34,085

1-BR, city centre

36.0

Purchasing Power

Weak

Purchasing Power

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

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Manila?

Cost breakdown: Manila

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

25.8 Affordable

Rent

15.6 Very affordable

Groceries

39.4 Affordable

Restaurants

26.3 Very affordable

Purchasing Power

36.0 Weak

Rent in Manila

1-BR, city centre PHP 34,085/mo

1-BR, outside centre PHP 17,644/mo

3-BR, city centre PHP 119,557/mo

3-BR, outside centre PHP 41,762/mo

Save by going outside centre 48% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Considering alternatives?

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

🇵🇭 Makati

Philippines

CoL index 27.7

Compare Makati vs Manila →

🇵🇭 Cebu

Philippines

CoL index 20.5

Compare Cebu vs Manila →

🇵🇭 Quezon City

Philippines

CoL index 19.0

Compare Quezon City vs Manila →

Ready to run the numbers?

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

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

Relocation Toolkit

Trusted services for your move

Health insurance for living abroad

Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing: medical cover designed for people working and living outside their home country. Flexible monthly subscription, cancel any time.

Get covered with SafetyWing

Secure your connection in your new city

NordVPN keeps your data safe on public Wi-Fi, lets you access content from home, and is a must-have for remote workers abroad.

Get NordVPN

We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.