Cost of living comparison between Manila (Philippines) and San Francisco (United States)
| Food | 55% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Manila (Philippines) is 55% cheaper than in San Francisco (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | Php224 ($5.21) | $12.56 | 58% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | Php137 ($3.18) | $6.46 | 51% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | Php78 ($1.81) | $5.38 | 66% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Php73 ($1.71) | $2.95 | 42% |
| 12 eggs, large | Php66 ($1.54) | $3.33 | 54% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Php57 ($1.33) | $3.51 | 62% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Php63 ($1.47) | $7 | 79% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Php88 ($2.04) | $3.91 | 48% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | Php97 ($2.25) | $4.08 | 45% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | Php36 ($0.83) | $2.95 | 72% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Php367 ($8.53) | $15 | 43% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | Php54 ($1.25) | $1.92 | 35% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | Php51 ($1.19) | $2.30 | 48% |
| Housing | 50% | ||
| Housing in Manila (Philippines) is 50% cheaper than in San Francisco (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | Php52,000 ($1,209) | $2,722 | 56% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Php4,763 ($111) | $103 | 8% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | Php2,110 ($49) | $44 | 12% |
| 40” flat screen TV | Php39,125 ($910) | $820 | 11% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | Php5,344 ($124) | $73 | 70% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Php82 ($1.91) | $10.62 | 82% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Php191 ($4.43) | $23 | 81% |
| Clothes | 8% | ||
| Clothes in Manila (Philippines) is 8% more expensive than in San Francisco (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | Php2,999 ($70) | $48 | 46% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | Php2,229 ($52) | $46 | 14% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | Php3,600 ($84) | $74 | 13% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | Php2,154 ($50) | $99 | 50% |
| Transportation | 40% | ||
| Transportation in Manila (Philippines) is 40% cheaper than in San Francisco (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Php1,164,290 ($27,070) | $21,002 | 29% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Php54 ($1.25) | $1.21 | 3% |
| monthly ticket public transport | Php794 ($18.47) | $68 | 73% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | Php357 ($8.29) | $18.94 | 56% |
| Personal Care | 51% | ||
| Personal Care in Manila (Philippines) is 51% cheaper than in San Francisco (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | Php200 ($4.64) | $10.41 | 55% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | Php307 ($7.14) | $5.83 | 23% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Php81 ($1.88) | $3.51 | 46% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Php161 ($3.73) | $4.17 | 10% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Php62 ($1.43) | $3.41 | 58% |
| Tube of toothpaste | Php76 ($1.78) | $3.17 | 44% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Php288 ($6.71) | $28 | 76% |
| Entertainment | 53% | ||
| Entertainment in Manila (Philippines) is 53% cheaper than in San Francisco (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Php811 ($18.85) | $48 | 61% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Php347 ($8.06) | $23 | 64% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Php1,889 ($44) | $210 | 79% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | Php2,342 ($54) | $92 | 41% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Php185 ($4.30) | $10.45 | 59% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | Php125 ($2.91) | $3.85 | 25% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | Php56 ($1.31) | $5.09 | 74% |
| iPod nano 8GB (6th generation) | Php7,809 ($182) | $149 | 22% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Php7.63 ($0.18) | $0.78 | 77% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | Php2,700 ($63) | $78 | 19% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | Php42 ($0.98) | $6.35 | 85% |
| TOTAL | 48% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 3,844 prices entered by 409 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2012.
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Cost of living in Manila (Philippines) is 48% cheaper than in San Francisco (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
$3,600
in San Francisco
you would need to make just about $1,862
(Php80,089)
in Manila.