Manila Cost of Living 2026
Philippines · Big city — far cheaper than the US average. Updated September 2026 Not just the exchange rate: how cheap it feels on your own income, and where a price turns into a rip-off.
Manila price table & rip-off thresholds
| Item | Base price | Normal range | Rip-off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₱180$3.16 | ₱126 – ₱288 | ₱346+ |
| Street food1 item | ₱81$1.42 | ₱49 – ₱146 | ₱175+ |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₱600$10.5 | ₱420 – ₱960 | ₱1,152+ |
| Bakery & dessert1 item | ₱140$2.46 | ₱84 – ₱252 | ₱302+ |
| Coffeeone cup | ₱150$2.63 | ₱90 – ₱240 | ₱288+ |
| Fruit juiceone cup | ₱100$1.75 | ₱60 – ₱180 | ₱216+ |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₱63$1.11 | ₱38 – ₱120 | ₱144+ |
| Bottled water | ₱25$0.44 | ₱18 – ₱50 | ₱60+ |
| Beerone bottle | ₱90$1.58 | ₱54 – ₱153 | ₱184+ |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₱230$4.04 | ₱138 – ₱391 | ₱469+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₱130$2.28 | ₱104 – ₱208 | ₱250+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₱86$1.51 | ₱60 – ₱155 | ₱186+ |
| Transitone ride | ₱15$0.26 | ₱14 – ₱20 | ₱23+ |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₱460$8.07 | ₱322 – ₱736 | ₱883+ |
| Hotel night3-star | ₱3,500$61.4 | ₱2,100 – ₱5,600 | ₱6,720+ |
| Laundry | ₱86$1.51 | ₱60 – ₱138 | ₱165+ |
| SIM card1 week data | ₱340$5.96 | ₱238 – ₱578 | ₱694+ |
| Haircutcut | ₱180$3.16 | ₱108 – ₱324 | ₱389+ |
| Massage1 hour | ₱510$8.95 | ₱357 – ₱816 | ₱979+ |
| Half-day tourper person | ₱2,000$35.1 | ₱1,400 – ₱3,200 | ₱3,840+ |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₱340$5.96 | ₱272 – ₱476 | ₱571+ |
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in what travelers actually paid. Rate ₱57 per USD, for reference.
Live prices reported in Manila
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FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Manila for a month?
A short-term studio rental (about $1,113) plus food, coffee, transport and a SIM (about $503) comes to roughly $1,616 a month. A local long-term lease (studio ₱28,000) brings it down a lot.
What is a realistic daily budget for Manila?
A mid-range room (about $63.2 a night) plus three meals, a coffee and two taxi rides is about $94.2 a day. Hostels and local eateries bring it well under that.
How do I know if a taxi in Manila is overcharging?
For 5 km in the city, expect ₱104 – ₱208. Anything above ₱250 is suspicious. The app's Price Check lets you pick the distance and gives a verdict in seconds.
How much is a coffee or a local meal in Manila?
Coffee about ₱150 ($2.63), a local meal about ₱180 ($3.16), dinner at a mid-range restaurant about ₱600.