Cost of living in San Jose, California (United States) is 191% more expensive than in Manila (Philippines)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 313 prices entered by 59 different people.
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Food | + 198% | |||
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Food in San Jose, California (United States) is 198% more expensive than in Manila (Philippines) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, California | Manila | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $31 (Php1,773) | Php302 | + 487% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $15 (Php851) | Php242 | + 252% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (Php379) | Php138 | + 174% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.45 (Php83) | Php143 | - 42% | |
12 eggs, large | $9 (Php494) | Php125 | + 296% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $2.91 (Php167) | Php140 | + 20% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $9 (Php498) | Php183 | + 172% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.96 (Php227) | Php134 | + 69% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.96 (Php112) | Php150 | - 25% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $7 (Php400) | Php84 | + 375% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $38 (Php2,170) | Php541 | + 301% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.74 (Php157) | Php98 | + 60% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.01 (Php173) | Php60 | + 188% | |
Housing | + 209% | |||
Housing in San Jose, California (United States) is 209% more expensive than in Manila (Philippines) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, California | Manila | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,954 (Php226,739) | Php87,974 | + 158% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,560 (Php146,793) | Php40,481 | + 263% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $175 (Php10,023) | Php5,620 | + 78% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,684 (Php153,927) | Php29,174 | + 428% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,739 (Php99,735) | Php14,835 | + 572% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $237 (Php13,579) | Php4,800 | + 183% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $45 (Php2,588) | Php1,647 | + 57% | |
40” flat screen tv | $277 (Php15,893) | Php17,194 | - 8% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $139 (Php7,961) | Php4,717 | + 69% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (Php802) | Php444 | + 81% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $33 (Php1,868) | Php408 | + 358% | |
Clothes | + 76% | |||
Clothes in San Jose, California (United States) is 76% more expensive than in Manila (Philippines) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, California | Manila | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (Php3,314) | Php2,126 | + 56% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 (Php2,833) | Php1,556 | + 82% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $118 (Php6,788) | Php4,561 | + 49% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $175 (Php10,029) | Php4,069 | + 146% | |
Transportation | + 176% | |||
Transportation in San Jose, California (United States) is 176% more expensive than in Manila (Philippines) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, California | Manila | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $34,262 (Php1,964,594) | Php1,307,460 | + 50% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.37 (Php79) | Php60 | + 31% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $80 (Php4,591) | Php957 | + 380% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $14 (Php795) | Php338 | + 135% | |
Personal Care | + 253% | |||
Personal Care in San Jose, California (United States) is 253% more expensive than in Manila (Philippines) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, California | Manila | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (Php489) | Php274 | + 79% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $39 (Php2,225) | Php442 | + 403% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $177 (Php10,148) | Php926 | + 996% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (Php409) | Php213 | + 92% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.31 (Php247) | Php176 | + 40% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (Php406) | Php185 | + 119% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $7 (Php378) | Php102 | + 272% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.50 (Php143) | Php97 | + 48% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $26 (Php1,476) | Php422 | + 250% | |
Entertainment | + 178% | |||
Entertainment in San Jose, California (United States) is 178% more expensive than in Manila (Philippines) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Jose, California | Manila | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $68 (Php3,908) | Php1,216 | + 221% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $35 (Php2,000) | Php822 | + 143% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $288 (Php16,524) | Php1,565 | + 956% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $158 (Php9,070) | Php1,852 | + 390% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (Php852) | Php383 | + 122% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.91 (Php339) | Php172 | + 97% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (Php419) | Php174 | + 141% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $466 (Php26,720) | Php29,517 | - 9% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.50 (Php29) | Php8 | + 266% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $45 (Php2,579) | Php2,474 | + 4% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (Php624) | Php179 | + 248% | |
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TOTAL | + 191% |

These prices were last updated on March 25, 2025.
Exchange rate:
57.340
PHP
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least Php774,406 ($13,505) in San Jose, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with Php266,000 in Manila.
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