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Manila vs Osaka cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ต๐ญ Manila
๐ฏ๐ต Osaka
At a glance
- Where Manila is clearly cheaper: Haircut (87%โ), Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (83%โ), Laundry (83%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Osaka is easier to travel (1.8 vs 2.6). Biggest gap: getting around โ Manila 3 vs Osaka 1. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Manila | Osaka | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | โฑ 280$4.91 | ยฅ 1,000$6.76 | Manila โ27% |
| Street food1 item | โฑ 50$0.88 | ยฅ 600$4.05 | Manila โ78% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | โฑ 800$14 | ยฅ 3,500$23.6 | Manila โ41% |
| Coffeeone cup | โฑ 150$2.63 | ยฅ 500$3.38 | Manila โ22% |
| Beerone bottle | โฑ 120$2.11 | ยฅ 550$3.72 | Manila โ43% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | โฑ 300$5.26 | ยฅ 1,200$8.11 | Manila โ35% |
| Bottled water | โฑ 25$0.44 | ยฅ 130$0.88 | Manila โ50% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | โฑ 63$1.11 | ยฅ 180$1.22 | Manila โ9% |
| Taxi5 km in town | โฑ 220$3.86 | ยฅ 2,200$14.9 | Manila โ74% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | โฑ 60$1.05 | ยฅ 900$6.08 | Manila โ83% |
| Transitone ride | โฑ 15$0.26 | ยฅ 210$1.42 | Manila โ81% |
| Scooter rentalper day | โฑ 500$8.77 | ยฅ 1,500$10.1 | Manila โ13% |
| Hotel night3-star | โฑ 3,500$61.4 | ยฅ 13,000$87.8 | Manila โ30% |
| Studio rent (month) | โฑ 25,000$439 | ยฅ 85,000$574 | Manila โ24% |
| Laundry | โฑ 60$1.05 | ยฅ 900$6.08 | Manila โ83% |
| SIM card1 week data | โฑ 350$6.14 | ยฅ 2,500$16.9 | Manila โ64% |
| Haircutcut | โฑ 180$3.16 | ยฅ 3,500$23.6 | Manila โ87% |
| Massage1 hour | โฑ 500$8.77 | ยฅ 5,000$33.8 | Manila โ74% |
| Half-day tourper person | โฑ 1,500$26.3 | ยฅ 8,500$57.4 | Manila โ54% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | โฑ 150$2.63 | ยฅ 1,500$10.1 | Manila โ74% |
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 Osaka?
Manila is 38% cheaper than Osaka. Daily budget $107 vs $181; a month $1,683 vs $2,585.
Which is easier to travel, Manila or Osaka?
Osaka is easier: Osaka 1.8/5 vs Manila 2.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Manila and Osaka?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Manila is about $1,683 and Osaka about $2,585 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.