Cost of Living in the Philippines Guide with 2023 Prices

Many guys ask me what is the cost of living in the Philippines before they fully commit to booking their plane ticket.

If you are planning to move to the Philippines or visit for a few days, here’s what you need to know about prices & spending money.

Restaurants

Sushi
Pizza
Donuts
Chicken with rice meal

Supermarkets

Bread (1 loaf)	60
Rice (1 kg)	50
Eggs (1 piece)
Meat

Transportation

Jeepney (one way)	12
Taxi	200
Bus	80
Grabcar	150
Tricycle	150

Clothing

Basketball Shoes (Replica)	700
Pants	400
Socks	50
Shorts	300
Soccer Cleats	3,000

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)	1,000 PHP
Hotel (3 hours)	450 PHP
Studio Apartment (monthly)	25,000 PHP
1 Bedroom Apartment (monthly)	36,000 PHP
2 Bedroom Apartment (monthly)	48,000 PHP
3 Bedrooom House (Outside Major Cities)	8,000 PHP
Dorm/Hostel/Bedspace	10,000 PHP

Entertainment

Barfine	4,000
Lady Drink	350
Condoms	80
Lube	40
Viagra/Ciasis	150
Pregnancy Test	50

Healthcare

Leisure

How Much Money Do You Need to Live in the Philippines?

I spend 2,500 PHP daily (75,000 PHP/$1,400 per month) in the Philippines for my apartment, food, health care, and entertainment as a single man.

$1,400 per month covers all of my expenses but won’t cover rent in an expensive western city like New York or London.

One of the wonderful things about the Philippines is you can create your own custom lifestyle depending on your budget and how you feel at the moment.

The average Filipino lives off of 15,000 PHP ($300 USD) or less but most westerns will feel more comfortable with a slightly higher budget to maintain a western standard of living..

Many tourists/expats come to the Philippines and live on a cheap shoestring budget. It’s a haven for retirees and senior citizens who retired from their jobs and live on a limited, fixed income. You’re able to retire like a King instead of barely scratch by.

They rent cheap apartments for as little as $60 per month and eat cheap food like noodles, rice, fruits and vegetables.

On the other hand, you have your international playboys who spend as much (if not more) money as they do in their home country.

They live in expensive highrise condos, dine at upscale restaurants, party at expensive nightclubs, gamble at these 5 land casinos across the Philippines and drive luxury cars.

It’s easy to carve out a lifestyle that fits your morals, needs and budget.

What is the currency used in the Philippines?

The official currency of the Philippines is the peso. The current exchange rate of USD to PHP is around 53. If you buy something for around 50 pesos, then you’re spending $1 or so.

Cash is king so learn the different peso denominations by color:

• Orange: 20 pesos
• Red: 50 pesos
• Purple: 100 pesos
• Green: 200 pesos
• Yellow: 500 pesos
• Blue: 1,000 pesos

Carry around a mix of different bills when you go out because most vendors don’t have change for the blue 1k peso bills.

Salaries & Wages

Salaries in the Philippines are much lower than western countries, but this also keeps prices for most goods and services extremely low.

The average salary in the most expensive part of the country, Metro Manila, is about $10 per day (500PHP). $300 per month is a good starting salary for most Filipino locals in Manila’s main business district, Makati.

However, you benefit from the lower cost of living so you will be able to adjust quite nicely.

The best strategy is to earn a western salary (working remotely for a US/European company or own a business) while living on a small

budget to free up cashflow for other purposes such as investing in bitcoin, buying real estate or saving for retirement.Philippines Prices & Sample Budget

Here’s of what everything costs in the Philippines in 2013.

Food, Beverages and Eating Out

Food in the Philippines is one of the easiest expenses to manage if you stay in a place with a kitchen, shop at 711 or grocery stores, and cook your own meals.

You have lots of options when it comes to purchasing food. There are plenty of supermarkets, fast food restaurants, upscale restaurants, convenience stores, markets and street vendors selling all different kinds of things to eat.

Sample Daily Food Budget

The average single foreign man can live off a 500 PHP daily/12,000 PHP monthly food budget by shopping frugally and eating out every once in a while.

Heres a sample daily food budget for single men:

• Breakfast: Bowl of Oatmeal, 2 eggs, toast, jam, orange (175 PHP)
• Lunch: Burger with fries (150 PHP)
• Dinner: Sushi from Japanese restaurant (175 PHP)

A foreign couple would spend nearly double so just multiply by 2 if you are traveling with a partner.

Supermarket

There are several supermarket chains in the Philippines with the most popular being SM Hypermarket, owned by billionaire Henry Sy.

Here’s a quick list of prices:

• Bread: 60 PHP per loaf
• Rice: 50 PHP per kilo
• Eggs: 100 PP per dozen
• Meat: $2 per kilo
• Bananas: 100 PHP per kilo
• Orwnges: $3 per kilo
• Onions: 40 PHP for small bag
• Oatmeal: 150 PHP
• Korean Noodles: 60 PHP
• Peanuts: 40 PHp
• Potato Chips: 50 PHP
• Green Olives: 100 PHP
• Vegetables: $2 per kilo
• Potato Chips: 25 cents for a small bag
• Peanuts: 50 cents for a small bag

Fast Food Restaurants

Many international fast food chains operate in the Philippines and you’ll find McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Wendy’s, Papa John’s, Dominos, and Pizza Hut in most major cities like Manila, Angeles, and Cebu. There are also local Filipino chains like Jolibee and Chow King.

You can order a regular value meal at McDonald’s for $2 or order a regular sizedpizza at Domino’s for $4. If you eat fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’ll spend about $6 per day.

Many pizza chains offer a Buy 1, Take 1 promo on Tuesdays and Thursdays so you can save a bit of money if you go with a friend.

Upscale Restaurants

The most expensive method of eating in the Philippines is dining at a upscale restaurants. These places are slightly cheaper than dining out in western countries, but much more expensive overall.

You’ll pay around $5 for a main dish and $2 for an appetizer. Drinks are usually around $1 each. If you dine out everyday, then you’ll really increase your food budget in the long run.

It’s healthy and cheaper to shop at the market and prepare your own meals.

Convenience Stores

711, MiniStop, and Family Mart are the most popular convenience store chains in the Philippines.

The prices are higher than the supermarkets but they stay open 24/7. They sell all kinds of cheap things like noodles, snacks, candies, peanuts, rice, friend chicken, sandwiches, potato chips, etc.

Most items cost around 25 cents to $1. They also sell prepared meals for around 60 cents.

You can spend about $2 in the convenience store and have enough food for 1 meal. Add a can of juice or soda pop and you’ll spend no more than $3.

Street Markets

Local markets offer the cheapest prices for fruits, vegetables, and meats. You simply pick what you want then pay per kilo (2.2 lbs) for your items. Speaking tagalog in the markets is a good strategy to save a bit of money. Here are some helpful phrases:

Magkano? = How Much?

Mahal = Expensive

Prices are higher in Metro Manila and get much cheaper as you move further away from the city. Here’s a list of the average food prices for fruits and vegetables:

• Mangos: $3 per kilo
• Apples: $1 per kilo
• Oranges: $1 per kilo
• Vegetables: $1.50 per kilo
• Bananas: $1 per kilo

Local Restaurants and Street Vendors

Many Filipinos open a mom and pop restaurant underneath their home and sell all kinds of different foods. While the prices are cheap, I recommend avoiding these places due to hygiene concerns.

You don’t know exactly how clean these restaurants are and you cannot compare western health standards to those in the Philippines. There is no FDA protecting consumers from malpractices in the restaurant industry.

If you get sick in the Philippines, then you invite a whole bunch of problems that you want to avoid.

Clothing

Accomodation

Your biggest cost in the Philippines will be your housing unless you have a generous nightlife budget. You’ve got a wide variety of choices depending on your wants, needs and budget.

The average Filipino spends around 4,000 PHP per month $80 per month on housing.

Most of you reading this want western style amenities so expect to pay more when you arrive.

Hotels

Basic Hotels are convenient for short term stays and range from 600 PHP to 2,000 PHP per night depending on the location and amenities.

Upscale hotels cost between 2,500 to 10,000 PHP per night and you’ll have everything including King size bed, international cable TV, hot water kettle, microwave, WIFI, A/C, gym access, swimming pool, jacuzzi, mini bar, and room service.

I recommend using Agoda to book a hotel room because you receive special discounts on rooms and can pay via credit card, debit card, PayPal, or 711

Plus, Agoda offers cashback rewards for 2very booking that can be used for future bookings.

If you are worried about your hotel being guest friendly then ask about the rules in advance.

Check out my list of guest friendly hotels in the Philippines:

• Angeles City Guest Friendly Hotels
• Makati Guest Friendly Hotels
• Subic Bay Guest Friendly Hotela

Condos

Condos are the best option for short and long term stays because you get privacy, security, amentities and a feeling of being at home that doesn’t exist in hotels.

Prices are determined mostly by the location of the condo building. The closer to the city center, the higher the price.

If you want to stay in Metro Manila, then you’ll find the best and most expensive condos located in Makati, BGC and Rockwell. Short term monthly rentals cost between $600 to $800 while long term rental contracts cost between $400 to $600 per month.

If you don’t mind living outside the main foreigner areas, then you’ll find decent condos for around $200 to $300 per month.

However, I highly recommend avoiding these areas due to safety concerns. I’ve read plenty of horror stories involving foreigners who lived outside of the main tourist areas where it’s much cheaper.

Don’t risk your safety and future over $100 so simply search for a cheaper deal if you’re under a tight budget.

AirBNB, RentPad, Lamundi, and OLX offer unfurnished and furnished condos for every budget.

Apartments & Condos

Many expats opt for a cheap unfurnished apartment near the tourist area because it’s much cheaper and affordable than a fully furnished condo.

You can find cheap apartments for around $150 to $200 on OLX or just walk around the area you want to live in and call the phone numbers listed on the building.

These apartments are empty so you’ll need to buy a bed, TV, install WIFI, etc. If you plan to living in the Philippines long term and don’t mind paying utilities, then this is your best overall option.

Transportation

Nightlife Prices

Nightlife in the Philippines is a unique experience and you’ll definitely want to check out the main attractions when you first arrive. You’ll got everything from girly bars to upscale nightclubs that fit every type of budget.

If you want to save money, then avoid going out all the time. Heading to the bars & nightclubs every night will put a big hole in your budget.

Bars

There are two types of bars in the Philippines: regular pubs and girly bars.

Regular pubs are the cheapest place to drink and hang out. Most drinks (alcholic and non-alcoholic) cost $1 each. If you arrive during happy hour (usually 6pm to 8pm), they offer even cheaper drink specials.

Girly bars are like discos where girls dance on stage and encourage you to buy them drinks. Most go go bars charge $2 for a drink and $5 for a lady drink. Many of these girls are available to “hang out” as well for about $60. You’ll find most of these bars in Angeles City as well as parts of Makati, Malate and Ermita.

Nightclubs

You’ll find both younger and older foreigners hitting up the nightclubs to hang out and meet Filipina women. The nicer nightclubs charge an entrance fee of around $5 that comes with a handstamp and 1 drink.

Other nightclubs are free to enter, but the drink prices are more expensive. Again, you’ll pay at minimum $5 for a drink at most clubs.

You’ll find a nice mix of foreigners, locals and freelancers at the best nightclubs. The best nightclubs are:

• Manila: Royal, Black Market and Time
• Angeles City: High Society (HiSo)

These clubs play the best music and offer the hottest selection of Filipina girls.

$750 is a reasonable monthly cost ofnliving for single male foreigners.

Drinking too much alcohol is bad for your health and will invite problems into your life. Whenever I hear something bad happen to a foreigner, there is alcohol involved 95% of the time. Abstain from alcohol if possible. Otherwise, drink responsibly!

If you want to go out more often and meet Filipino women, then $1,000 is a reasonable monthly budget for your needs.

That’s around 50,000PHP and most Filipinos would be shocked to spend that much money in 1 month.

Track your finances using Mint and see where all of your spending goes. You can easily cut out unnecessary expenses or stop going out at night to save more money.

If you want to live like a boss, then check out Mark Blackard’s article explaining the 1-2-3 Rule in the Philippines.

FAQ

Can you live in the Philippines on less than $1,000 per month?

What is the average working salary in the Philippines?

Wrapping Things Up

Living in Asia has its advantages and the cost of living is definitely one of them. The Philippines is much cheaper than the United States, Canada, Australia or Europe and you can save a lot of money if you earn a decent living online or have a large retirement/pension.

Cost of living is an important part of traveling so do plenty of research before you visit any country. You work hard for your money so be sure to get good value from your labor.

If you have any questions or concerns, please share them in the comments section below.