Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities › Manila vs Taipei
Manila vs Taipei cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇵🇠Manila
🇹🇼 TaipeiManila is 48% cheaper than Taipei
Living on $1,616 a month in Manila feels like about $2,365 in Taipei — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$94.2 vs $141
Per month
$1,616 vs $2,365
Local meal
₱ 180 vs NT$ 130
$3.16 vs $4.13
Taxi 5 km
₱ 130 vs NT$ 160
$2.28 vs $5.08
At a glance
FoodManila 27% cheaper
Cafés & drinksManila 52% cheaper
TransportManila 63% cheaper
StayManila 30% cheaper
FunManila 57% cheaper
- Where Manila is clearly cheaper: Haircut (74%↓), Massage (74%↓), Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (70%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Manila | Taipei | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₱ 180$3.16 | NT$ 130$4.13 | Manila −23% |
| Street food1 item | ₱ 81$1.42 | NT$ 59$1.87 | Manila −24% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₱ 600$10.5 | NT$ 500$15.9 | Manila −34% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₱ 150$2.63 | NT$ 120$3.81 | Manila −31% |
| Beerone bottle | ₱ 90$1.58 | NT$ 120$3.81 | Manila −59% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₱ 230$4.04 | NT$ 310$9.84 | Manila −59% |
| Bottled water | ₱ 25$0.44 | NT$ 25$0.79 | Manila −45% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₱ 63$1.11 | NT$ 63$2 | Manila −45% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₱ 130$2.28 | NT$ 160$5.08 | Manila −55% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₱ 86$1.51 | NT$ 160$5.08 | Manila −70% |
| Transitone ride | ₱ 15$0.26 | NT$ 20$0.63 | Manila −59% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₱ 460$8.07 | NT$ 380$12.1 | Manila −33% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₱ 3,500$61.4 | NT$ 2,800$88.9 | Manila −31% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₱ 28,000$491 | NT$ 22,000$698 | Manila −30% |
| Laundry | ₱ 86$1.51 | NT$ 94$2.98 | Manila −49% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₱ 340$5.96 | NT$ 320$10.2 | Manila −41% |
| Haircutcut | ₱ 180$3.16 | NT$ 390$12.4 | Manila −74% |
| Massage1 hour | ₱ 510$8.95 | NT$ 1,100$34.9 | Manila −74% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₱ 2,000$35.1 | NT$ 1,600$50.8 | Manila −31% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₱ 340$5.96 | NT$ 320$10.2 | Manila −41% |
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 Taipei?
Manila is 48% cheaper than Taipei. Daily budget $94.2 vs $141; a month $1,616 vs $2,365.
How do monthly costs compare between Manila and Taipei?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Manila is about $1,616 and Taipei about $2,365 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.