MigrantoCost of living in the Philippines
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in the Philippines
Spending runs from ₱5,770 a month in the poorest fifth to ₱39,100 in the richest
Per person, whole country
₱12,800
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
₱5,770richest 20%
₱39,100
Where people spend money in the Philippines
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in the Philippines in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 36% of spending here, or ₱4,620 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 16.3 points more.
Typical spending takes 69% of the average wage
A typical person spends ₱12,800 a month while the average take-home wage is ₱18,600, so 31% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in the Philippines compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in the Philippines against other countries
Cheaper than 74% of countries
Where Philippines sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs ₱60,800 at world-middle prices costs ₱47,900 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2024 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in the Philippines
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Cost of living in the Philippines
₱5,770/mo
vs ₱48,600 in your country
Take-home
₱12,100
vs ₱72,900 in your country
Potential savings
₱6,290
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in the Philippines?
A typical person in the Philippines spends about ₱12,800 a month — around ₱154,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in the Philippines?
By spending, The Philippines ranks #118 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about ₱12,800 a month, the poorest 20% about ₱5,770 and the richest 20% about ₱39,100. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in the Philippines in US dollars?
The cost of living in the Philippines is about $211 a month, or roughly $2,532 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in the Philippines?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about ₱5,770 a month per person, a typical one around ₱12,800, and a comfortable life around ₱17,400. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in the Philippines?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about ₱4,620 a month (36% of spending). Then come housing (₱1,580, 12%) and transport (₱1,280, 10%).
Is the average salary in the Philippines enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about ₱12,800 a month, while the average take-home pay in the Philippines is about ₱18,600. For more on incomes, see salaries in the Philippines.
Is the Philippines an expensive country to live in?
Somewhat. The Philippines is more expensive than 36% of countries worldwide and ranks 14th of 27 in Asia by cost of living.
What currency is used in the Philippines?
The Philippines uses the Philippine Peso (PHP). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in the Philippines
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