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Budapest vs Manila cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Budapest
🇵🇠ManilaManila is 46% cheaper than Budapest
Living on $2,978 a month in Budapest feels like about $1,616 in Manila — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$178 vs $94.2
Per month
$2,978 vs $1,616
Local meal
Ft 3,600 vs ₱ 180
$10 vs $3.16
Taxi 5 km
Ft 3,600 vs ₱ 130
$10 vs $2.28
At a glance
FoodManila 65% cheaper
Cafés & drinksManila 27% cheaper
TransportManila 77% cheaper
StayManila 33% cheaper
FunManila 45% cheaper
- Where Manila is clearly cheaper: Transit (78%↓), Taxi (77%↓), Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (75%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Budapest | Manila | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | Ft 3,600$10 | ₱ 180$3.16 | Manila −68% |
| Street food1 item | Ft 1,600$4.44 | ₱ 81$1.42 | Manila −68% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | Ft 9,000$25 | ₱ 600$10.5 | Manila −58% |
| Coffeeone cup | Ft 900$2.5 | ₱ 150$2.63 | Budapest −5% |
| Beerone bottle | Ft 1,000$2.78 | ₱ 90$1.58 | Manila −43% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | Ft 2,600$7.22 | ₱ 230$4.04 | Manila −44% |
| Bottled water | Ft 430$1.19 | ₱ 25$0.44 | Manila −63% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | Ft 1,100$3.06 | ₱ 63$1.11 | Manila −64% |
| Taxi5 km in town | Ft 3,600$10 | ₱ 130$2.28 | Manila −77% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | Ft 2,200$6.11 | ₱ 86$1.51 | Manila −75% |
| Transitone ride | Ft 430$1.19 | ₱ 15$0.26 | Manila −78% |
| Scooter rentalper day | Ft 9,000$25 | ₱ 460$8.07 | Manila −68% |
| Hotel night3-star | Ft 32,000$88.9 | ₱ 3,500$61.4 | Manila −31% |
| Studio rent (month) | Ft 270,000$750 | ₱ 28,000$491 | Manila −35% |
| Laundry | Ft 1,100$3.06 | ₱ 86$1.51 | Manila −51% |
| SIM card1 week data | Ft 3,600$10 | ₱ 340$5.96 | Manila −40% |
| Haircutcut | Ft 4,600$12.8 | ₱ 180$3.16 | Manila −75% |
| Massage1 hour | Ft 13,000$36.1 | ₱ 510$8.95 | Manila −75% |
| Half-day tourper person | Ft 14,000$38.9 | ₱ 2,000$35.1 | Manila −10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | Ft 4,300$11.9 | ₱ 340$5.96 | Manila −50% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Budapest or Manila?
Manila is 46% cheaper than Budapest. Daily budget $178 vs $94.2; a month $2,978 vs $1,616.
How do monthly costs compare between Budapest and Manila?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Budapest is about $2,978 and Manila about $1,616 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.