This question is always being asked: What is the Cost Of Living in the Philippines or how much money do I need to survive? Before I give you a detailed list on the monthly cost in the Philippines, I will try to set up some global rules on how much money you need in general.
With about 600,-US$, or 30,000 Peso, you can easily survive in the Philippines, if you find a reasonable cheap house in the province (not in the city of course) and live an easy live style.
If you stay near a tourist place, you must see that you do not dive too deep into the nightlife, otherwise you will easily overshoot that amount.
With about 1200,- US$ or 50 to 60,000 Peso, you may already live like a king in the Philippines, you can rent a decent flat or a small house for around 10,000 Peso and still have enough money left for some fun. If you have more than that, well, there is nothing you need to be worried about.
I have met some expats however, who manage to live on even less than 750,- US$ but that may only be possible in the deepest province and not near a tourist place or any big city in the Philippines.
The typical Cost Of Living
I do personally spend far less than 700,- US$ a month if I don't spend any extra money for renovating the house or anything like that. Only food, electricity, cable TV, the water bill and maybe a house maid ends up with far less than 500,- US$ for a two-person household.
| Rent for House or apartment: | 55,- - 225,- US$ |
2,500 - 10,000,- Peso |
| Electricity without air con | 22 - 35 ,- US$ |
1,000 - 1,500,- Peso |
| Electricity with an air con | 67,- US$ |
3,000,- Peso |
| Tap Water | 3,- US$ |
100,- Peso |
| Garbage (mostly free of charge) | ||
| Telephone & DSL (Globe) | 27,- US$ |
1,200,- Peso |
| Drinking Water (1 unit every 2 days) | 10,- US$ |
450,- Peso |
| Food for two people | 135- US$ |
6,000,- Peso |
| Gas for cooking (900 P every 2 month) | 10,- US$ |
450,- Peso |
| Transport (Jeepney or Motor Bike) | 14,- US$ |
600;- Peso |
| Cable or Satellite TV | 8,- or 17,- US$ |
350,- or 750,- Peso |
| House Helper | 67,- US$ |
3,000,- Peso |
| Total cheapest (no helper, no A/C): | 284,- US$ |
13,150,- Peso |
| Total deluxe: | 575,- US$ |
25,550- Peso |
Cities are more expensive
This costs can rise greatly, when you stay in an expensive condo or apartment in any bigger city in the Philippines, since the monthly rent might be from 15,000 Peso upwards (no limit).
This list does not cover some other monthly cost you might have like Life Insurance, Health Insurance or anything else like that.
The longer you stay in the Philippines, the cheaper it will be as you get used to the local goods, which are usually much cheaper than imported ones and an easy way of living.
