The Republic of the Philippines is a 1,850km (1,150 mile) archipelago in the Pacific Ocean made up of 7,641 islands and islets, of which 2,000 are inhabited. The larger islands have spectacular mountain ranges and dormant volcanoes. The Philippines has 36,289kms (22,548 miles) of coastline with some of the world’s best dive sites. It’s also great for long distance sea swims and surfing. Expats from all the world find the Philippines a great place to live, with friendly people and an affordable lifestyle.
If you are considering moving to Philippines, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of Asia.
Quick Philippines Facts:
- Population: 114,755,000 people (2023 estimate)
- Official Language:Filipino (a standardised form of Tagalog) and English are the official languages. There are over 80 languages spoken in Philippines including Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, French and German.
- GDP Per Capita:US$ 3,623.31 (December 2022)
- Parks: The official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and English. Filipino is based on Tagalog, which is spoken in the Manila area. English is also widely spoken, so you’ll be able to get by without learning Filipino.
- Currency: Philippine Peso (PHP ₱). As of 2022, ₱1 = $0.018 USD, ₱1 = $0.025 CAD, ₱1 = $0.026AUD, ₱1 = £0.15, ₱1 = €0.17
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to the Philippines
Here are some sample container shipping costs to the Philippines:
2. Philippines Housing Costs
There’s a wide variety of housing available in the Philippines, from studios to penthouses and townhouses to villas. Accommodation is very affordable compared with many countries around the world.
Monthly Rental Prices in the Philippines
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: ₱8,000 – ₱40,000
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: ₱5,000 – ₱20,500
- 3 bedroom apartment in City Centre: ₱15,000 – ₱110,000
- 3 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: ₱10,000 – ₱60,000
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: ₱50,000 – ₱269,000
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: ₱25,000 – ₱150,000
Philippines Housing Cost Comparison
This is how rents in the Philippines compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 204.8% more expensive
United States is 375.9% more expensive
Canada is 241.3% more expensive
Australia is 303.2% more expensive
France is 142.1% more expensive
Germany is 161% more expensive
Spain is 116.9% more expensive
Italy is 106.5% more expensive
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Have a look at the following sites to find your perfect room or flat mate: iRoommates, Just Landed, Homates and Locanto.
- Different areas – different prices. Most expats live in Makati City, Metro Manila as most international companies and diplomatic missions are located in this area. It has a great selection of housing but tends to be more expensive than the rest of the Philippines. There are many affordable cities, towns and villages in the Philippines to choose from. Have a look at Nomadic Fire, Camella and Expat Arrivals for detailed information.
3. Philippines Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
Filipinos love to eat, whether it’s going out to eat at a restaurant or enjoying a meal with family and friends. There’s a good selection of fast food, casual restaurants and street food. Fine dining restaurants will be found in all major cities and resorts and offer dining experiences from around the world.
- Inexpensive Restaurant: ₱100 – ₱410
- Takeout Coffee: ₱50– ₱210
- Bottle of Coke: ₱22 – ₱80.61
- 1L of milk: ₱75 – ₱120
- Loaf of Bread: ₱45 – ₱100
- 12 Eggs: ₱70 – ₱132
- 1kg Chicken: ₱120 – ₱300
- 1kg Beef: ₱225 – ₱500
- 1kg Apples: ₱50 – ₱260
- 1kg White Rice: ₱40 – ₱65
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major countries in the world.
- UK restaurants are 217.9% more expensive and groceries are 39% more expensive than the Philippines.
- US restaurants are 243.4% more expensive and groceries are 205.27% more expensive than the Philippines.
- Canadian restaurants are 200.9% more expensive and groceries are 88.9% more expensive than the Philippines.
- Australian restaurants are 240.2% more expensive and groceries are 117.9% more expensive than the Philippines.
- German restaurants are 167.7% more expensive and groceries are 50.2% more expensive than the Philippines.
- Spanish restaurants are 141.4% more expensive and groceries are 20.7% more expensive than the Philippines.
- Italian restaurants are 190% more expensive and groceries are 51.7% more expensive than the Philippines.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: The Philippines have a good selection of independently owned grocery stores as well as the usual supermarket chains. The street markets are fantastic and offer a wide variety of excellent produce. Popular supermarkets in the Philippines are SM Market (the largest supermarket chain), Robinsons Supermarket, Puregold and Landmark.
- Find Cheap Eats:Nowhere in the Philippines is expensive to eat when you compare restaurant prices with other countries but you may find some cheaper deals through Trip Advisor, Spot, Wanderlog and Trip Factory.
4. Philippines Alcohol Costs
The Philippines is renowned for its drinking culture, whether it’s a family gatherings, a business meetings or just a quiet evening at home. Seventy per cent of the alcohol market is from beer sales. There’s a good selection of imported and local brands of beer and spirits and imported wine.
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: ₱45 – ₱150
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: ₱80 – ₱200
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: ₱40 – ₱103
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: ₱55 – ₱150
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: ₱200 – ₱750
How to drink for less in the Philippines
- Look online, in the local papers and flyers for advertised cheap drinks in supermarkets, bars, clubs and restaurants.
- Many restaurants and bars have late afternoon and early evening specials where you can buy two drinks for the price of one. Have a look at the following sites for information on where to go for cheap drinks – Nolisolo, Yelp and Trip Advisor.
5. Philippines Transportation Fares
Travelling in and around the Philippines can be challenging. The roads are poorly maintained, and the traffic is usually hectic. There’s only 100 miles of operational railway so buses are the main mode of transport. Unfortunately, many of the buses are in a poor state of repair and timetables don’t seem to exist. Manila does have 3 elevated train systems which work well and cover most of the city. Internal air travel is also affordable and reliable.
An alternative mode of transport are jeepneys. These are old US military jeeps that have been converted into small buses. They are cheap but overcrowded and hot.
Here are some example ticket costs.
- Adult Single – ₱30.09
- One day ticket – ₱30.00
- Monthly season ticket, unlimited – ₱670.80
How to save money on public transport
- Buy a weekly ticket ₱1,194.71 for 7 days of unlimited travel
6. Cost of Internet in the Philippines
Internet prices in the Philippines are very affordable compared with many other countries in the world. The most popular ISPs in the Philippines include:
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
The Philippines has a tropical maritime climate. It’s hot most of the year with temperatures ranging from 24C to 32C. Humidity is high in low lying areas but is lower in the northern regions of the Philippines and in mountainous areas. The rainy season is usually from June until November. The country’s annual rainfall varies depending on the region. Baguio City receives over 4,000mm of rain per annum and the south of Cotabato averages only 965mm per annum.
Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans: ₱700 – ₱4,000
- Summer Dress: ₱500 – ₱2,500
- Running Shoes (Trainers): ₱2,999 – ₱5,000
- Business Shoes: ₱1,499 – ₱6,999
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): ₱4,896.83
- Deodorant: ₱212.39
- Shampoo: ₱176.40
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): ₱138.65
- Gym membership: ₱1,002.97 – ₱3,834.87 per month
- Movie (cinema) ticket: ₱250.15 – ₱400.01
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in the Philippines
Despite the fact that driving in the Philippines can be rather hectic, it’s still worth buying a car to avoid having to travel on public transport. Purchasing a car is easy for expats, although financing a vehicle locally is almost impossible for foreigners.
You can drive on your home driving licence for up to 90 days and then you will need to get a local driving licence – again a simple process which just requires your existing licence and another form of ID.
Here are some sample costs of owning and operating a car in the Philippines:
- Volkswagen Golf:₱1,300,000.00
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol):₱68 – ₱85
- Other fees (if any):The average monthly cost of owning and running a small four seater car in the Philippines is approximately £188.
Source: Numbeo
Ways to save money driving in the Philippines
- Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Have a look at Pasabay, Top Gear and Grab.
- Taxis are an alternative, especially if you want to save on parking fees. Try Grab and local taxis.
Need your car/vehicle moved to the Philippines? Then read our guide: Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping.
9. Taxes in the Philippines
Residents of the Philippines are taxed on their worldwide income. Non-residents are taxed on their Filipino income only. Tax rates start at 15% and go up to 35% depending on your income.
VAT is charged at 12% on most goods and services. Property tax is 2% is you buy in Metro Manila and 1% everywhere else. You’ll find a comprehensive list of all taxes payable in the Philippines here.
10. Flight Costs from the Philippines
If you do make the move to the Philippines, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of 2023:
- London: ₱19,667
- New York: ₱27,667
- Toronto: ₱34,778
- Sydney: ₱6,589
- Paris: ₱19,334
- Berlin: ₱19,345
- Madrid: ₱19,768
- Rome: ₱19,329
Other Philippines Relocation Tips
The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in the Philippines but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to the Philippines Alone
Moving is always a stressful time but moving on your own can be exceptionally difficult. The relatively laid-back atmosphere in the Philippines and the friendly people will help you ease into your new life and enjoy this vibrant culture. Here are a few tips about settling in the Philippines.
- Meetups:The Philippines has many Meetup groups covering a wide range of activities from IT to surfing.
- Attend local events: There is always something going on in the Philippines and many of the activities are free. Have a look at the following sites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Guide to the Philippines, Asia and The Crazy Tourist.
12. Moving to the Philippines with a Family
Moving to the Philippines with a family has its challenges but it’s a country with a large expat community and great schools. There’s so much for the kids to do from water sports to hiking, plus visiting historical sites and, of course, Manila Ocean Park.
- New parents (or parents to be): Check out The Asian Parent and First Time Moms for advice, courses and ways to meet other parents or parents to be.
- Live in a family friendly area: There are plenty of family friendly neighbourhoods in the Philippines away from the hustle and bustle. Expat Exchange has some excellent suggestions.
- Find things to do with the kids: The Philippines has lots for children to do. Have a look at the following websites for inspiration –TripAdvisor, Go Places with Kids, Wandering Wagers and
13. Moving to the Philippines for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move.
There are jobs available in many sectors including IT, logistics and warehousing, cyber security, social media, healthcare, education, marketing, hospitality, engineering, finance and many more. There are many international organisations in the Philippines that encourage their employees to transfer from their home country to the Philippines.
Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
- How to find work: If you want to have a job lined up before you move to the Philippines, but aren’t sure where to begin, the following sites are good places to start: Jobstreet, Indeed, Grab Jobs and Monster. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.
14. Moving to the Philippines from Australia
There’s a large Aussie contingent living in Philippines. If you are thinking of moving from Australia to Philippines, here are a few things to consider.
- Size comparison:Australia is 26 times larger than the Philippines but 88.5 million inhabitants.
- Join expat groups: Meetup, Dribbbleand InterNations offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Philippines.
15. Moving to the Philippines from Canada
There’s a relatively large number of Canadians living in Philippines. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.
- Size:The Philippines’ population is four times greater than Canada’s, but Canada is 33 times larger than the Philippines.
- Expat groups:Meeting up with fellow Canadians helps the moving process. Link up through sites such as InterNations and Meetup.
16. Moving to the Philippines from the United Kingdom
It’s estimated that there are around 10,000 Brits living in the Philippines. If you’re considering joining them, here are a few bonus tips:
- Size: The population size of the Philippines is around twice that of the UK and is 23% larger.
- Expat groups:If you want to get together with others from the UK who are enjoying the weather, then go to InterNations and Meetup.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to the Philippines you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
More on the Philippines:
English 
French 
German 
Italian 
Spanish 
Chinese 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Polish 
Bulgarian 
Czech 
Danish 
Dutch 
Estonian 
Finnish 
Greek 
Hungarian 
Latvian 
Lithuanian 
Romanian 
Russian 
Slovak 
Slovenian 
Swedish 
Turkish 
Korean 
Indonesian 
Norwegian 
Ukrainian