Popular cities
Dumaguete vs Palawan cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ต๐ญ Dumaguete
๐ต๐ญ Palawan
At a glance
- Where Dumaguete is clearly cheaper: Entry ticket (90%โ), SIM card (50%โ), Hotel night (40%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Dumaguete is easier to travel (2.4 vs 2.8). Biggest gap: rip-offs & haggling โ Dumaguete 2 vs Palawan 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Dumaguete | Palawan | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | โฑ 150$2.63 | โฑ 150$2.63 | similar |
| Street food1 item | โฑ 40$0.7 | โฑ 60$1.05 | Dumaguete โ33% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | โฑ 450$7.89 | โฑ 500$8.77 | Dumaguete โ10% |
| Coffeeone cup | โฑ 130$2.28 | โฑ 130$2.28 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | โฑ 70$1.23 | โฑ 90$1.58 | Dumaguete โ22% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | โฑ 200$3.51 | โฑ 250$4.39 | Dumaguete โ20% |
| Bottled water | โฑ 20$0.35 | โฑ 25$0.44 | Dumaguete โ20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | โฑ 30$0.53 | โฑ 40$0.7 | Dumaguete โ25% |
| Taxi5 km in town | โฑ 120$2.11 | โฑ 150$2.63 | Dumaguete โ20% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | โฑ 50$0.88 | โฑ 60$1.05 | Dumaguete โ17% |
| Transitone ride | โฑ 15$0.26 | โฑ 15$0.26 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | โฑ 400$7.02 | โฑ 550$9.65 | Dumaguete โ27% |
| Hotel night3-star | โฑ 1,800$31.6 | โฑ 3,000$52.6 | Dumaguete โ40% |
| Studio rent (month) | โฑ 16,000$281 | โฑ 14,000$246 | Palawan โ13% |
| Laundry | โฑ 40$0.7 | โฑ 60$1.05 | Dumaguete โ33% |
| SIM card1 week data | โฑ 200$3.51 | โฑ 400$7.02 | Dumaguete โ50% |
| Haircutcut | โฑ 100$1.75 | โฑ 150$2.63 | Dumaguete โ33% |
| Massage1 hour | โฑ 400$7.02 | โฑ 500$8.77 | Dumaguete โ20% |
| Half-day tourper person | โฑ 1,000$17.5 | โฑ 1,500$26.3 | Dumaguete โ33% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | โฑ 50$0.88 | โฑ 500$8.77 | Dumaguete โ90% |
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, Dumaguete or Palawan?
Dumaguete is 19% cheaper than Palawan. Daily budget $57.8 vs $82; a month $1,046 vs $1,113.
Which is easier to travel, Dumaguete or Palawan?
Dumaguete is easier: Dumaguete 2.4/5 vs Palawan 2.8/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Dumaguete and Palawan?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Dumaguete is about $1,046 and Palawan about $1,113 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.