Can you live in Manila with $ 1,000 a month?

Not comfortably. Estimated monthly costs are around $1,596, which exceeds this budget.

Can you live in Manila with $ 2,000 a month?

Yes. With estimated monthly costs of about $1,596, you would have roughly $404 left each month (Comfortable).

Can you live in Manila with $ 3,000 a month?

Yes. With estimated monthly costs of about $1,596, you would have roughly $1,404 left each month (Very Comfortable).

Can you live in Manila with $ 5,000 a month?

Yes. With estimated monthly costs of about $1,596, you would have roughly $3,404 left each month (Premium Lifestyle).

Can you live in Manila with $ 8,000 a month?

Yes. With estimated monthly costs of about $1,596, you would have roughly $6,404 left each month (Premium Lifestyle).

🇵🇭

Manila, Philippines

How much does it really cost to live in Manila? Housing, food, transport, internet and more — plus what salary you need to live comfortably.

Asia 👥 1,780,000 people 🌴 Tropical climate Large city 🌊 Near the sea 💱 PHP

💰 Can I afford Manila? ⚖️ Compare this city Philippines →

$ $620 1-bedroom rent / mo

66 Quality of life / 100

50 Safety / 100

72 Internet / 100

80 Affordability / 100

Manila vs Puerto Princesa ⚖️ Manila vs Davao ⚖️

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Estimated Monthly Cost

Single person, moderate lifestyle, 1-bedroom apartment.

Rent (1-bedroom)	$620
Food (moderate)	$420
Transport	$40
Utilities	$90
Internet	$30
Healthcare	$60
Entertainment	$160
Total (moderate)	$1,596

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Housing Costs

Typical monthly rent in Manila.

Shared accommodation	$280
Studio	$480
1-bedroom	$620
2-bedroom	$880
3-bedroom	$1,200

📊

City Scores

How Manila rates, out of 100.

Cost of living

Safety

Quality of life

Internet

Healthcare

Transport

Nightlife

Climate

📍

At a Glance

Climate🌴 Tropical
City sizeLarge
Near the seaYes 🌊
Geography🏙️ Urban
Capital cityManila
LanguageEnglish, Tagalog
CurrencyPHP
Time zoneAsia/Manila

⚖️

Pros and Cons of Manila

✅ Pros

Affordable cost of living
Fast and reliable internet
Good public transport network
Great overall quality of life
Located near the coast
Vibrant nightlife and entertainment

⚠️ Cons

💳

Monthly Budget by Lifestyle

Based on a single person living in a 1-bedroom apartment.

Budget $1,036 per month Basic $1,198 per month Moderate $1,596 per month Comfortable $2,212 per month Premium $3,534 per month

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Can You Live in Manila on These Salaries?

Estimated for a single person, moderate lifestyle, 1-bedroom apartment.

Monthly income	Status	Remaining
$ 1,000	Very Difficult	$-596 / month
$ 2,000	Comfortable	$404 / month
$ 3,000	Very Comfortable	$1,404 / month
$ 5,000	Premium Lifestyle	$3,404 / month
$ 8,000	Premium Lifestyle	$6,404 / month