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Manila vs Mexico City cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇵🇠Manila
🇲🇽 Mexico CityManila is 89% cheaper than Mexico City
Living on $1,616 a month in Manila feels like about $3,238 in Mexico City — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$94.2 vs $167
Per month
$1,616 vs $3,238
Local meal
₱ 180 vs MX$ 150
$3.16 vs $8.06
Taxi 5 km
₱ 130 vs MX$ 78
$2.28 vs $4.19
At a glance
FoodManila 60% cheaper
Cafés & drinksManila 45% cheaper
TransportManila 45% cheaper
StayManila 44% cheaper
FunManila 44% cheaper
- Where Manila is clearly cheaper: Massage (66%↓), Haircut (65%↓), Scooter rental (63%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Manila | Mexico City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₱ 180$3.16 | MX$ 150$8.06 | Manila −61% |
| Street food1 item | ₱ 81$1.42 | MX$ 68$3.66 | Manila −61% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₱ 600$10.5 | MX$ 450$24.2 | Manila −56% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₱ 150$2.63 | MX$ 65$3.49 | Manila −25% |
| Beerone bottle | ₱ 90$1.58 | MX$ 60$3.23 | Manila −51% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₱ 230$4.04 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Manila −53% |
| Bottled water | ₱ 25$0.44 | MX$ 15$0.81 | Manila −46% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₱ 63$1.11 | MX$ 38$2.04 | Manila −46% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₱ 130$2.28 | MX$ 78$4.19 | Manila −46% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₱ 86$1.51 | MX$ 66$3.55 | Manila −57% |
| Transitone ride | ₱ 15$0.26 | MX$ 6$0.32 | Manila −18% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₱ 460$8.07 | MX$ 410$22 | Manila −63% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₱ 3,500$61.4 | MX$ 1,800$96.8 | Manila −37% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₱ 28,000$491 | MX$ 18,000$968 | Manila −49% |
| Laundry | ₱ 86$1.51 | MX$ 33$1.77 | Manila −15% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₱ 340$5.96 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Manila −31% |
| Haircutcut | ₱ 180$3.16 | MX$ 170$9.14 | Manila −65% |
| Massage1 hour | ₱ 510$8.95 | MX$ 490$26.3 | Manila −66% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₱ 2,000$35.1 | MX$ 660$35.5 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₱ 340$5.96 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Manila −31% |
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, Manila or Mexico City?
Manila is 89% cheaper than Mexico City. Daily budget $94.2 vs $167; a month $1,616 vs $3,238.
How do monthly costs compare between Manila and Mexico City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Manila is about $1,616 and Mexico City about $3,238 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.