Cost of living in Philippines compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Philippines is 6% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Philippines | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Php329 (43元) | 42元 | + 1% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Php251 (33元) | 39元 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Php126 (16元) | 14元 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Php131 (17元) | 14元 | + 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Php157 (20元) | 16元 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Php140 (18元) | 10元 | + 75% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Php332 (43元) | 50元 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Php140 (18元) | 16元 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Php135 (17元) | 6元 | + 169% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Php82 (11元) | 6元 | + 66% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Php626 (81元) | 89元 | - 9% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Php65 (8元) | 8元 | + 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Php50 (6元) | 13元 | - 48% | |
| Housing | + 1% | |||
| Housing in Philippines is about the same as in China | ||||
| Philippines | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Php93,543 (12,116元) | 12,713元 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Php39,632 (5,133元) | 5,917元 | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Php8,117 (1,051元) | 450元 | + 134% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Php29,212 (3,784元) | 6,564元 | - 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Php15,847 (2,053元) | 3,518元 | - 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Php4,925 (638元) | 296元 | + 115% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Php1,689 (219元) | 100元 | + 120% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Php27,709 (3,589元) | 1,460元 | + 146% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Php7,821 (1,013元) | 553元 | + 83% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Php353 (46元) | 43元 | + 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Php516 (67元) | 55元 | + 21% | |
| Clothes | - 29% | |||
| Clothes in Philippines is 29% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Philippines | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Php1,993 (258元) | 418元 | - 38% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Php1,588 (206元) | 302元 | - 32% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Php4,508 (584元) | 553元 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Php3,751 (486元) | 705元 | - 31% | |
| Transportation | - 16% | |||
| Transportation in Philippines is 16% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Philippines | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Php1,291,510 (167,282元) | 148,726元 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Php61 (8元) | 8元 | + 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Php1,092 (141元) | 228元 | - 38% | |
| Personal Care | + 131% | |||
| Personal Care in Philippines is 131% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Philippines | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Php670 (87元) | 42元 | + 108% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Php991 (128元) | 59元 | + 116% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Php18,000 (2,331元) | 114元 | + 1949% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Php222 (29元) | 67元 | - 57% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Php222 (29元) | 57元 | - 49% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Php276 (36元) | 25元 | + 43% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Php86 (11元) | 6元 | + 80% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Php103 (13元) | 13元 | + 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Php272 (35元) | 85元 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | + 62% | |||
| Entertainment in Philippines is 62% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Philippines | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Php1,103 (143元) | 178元 | - 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Php829 (107元) | 105元 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Php3,736 (484元) | 1,179元 | - 59% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Php1,878 (243元) | 320元 | - 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Php416 (54元) | 81元 | - 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Php190 (25元) | 28元 | - 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Php169 (22元) | 19元 | + 15% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Php52,530 (6,804元) | 3,924元 | + 73% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Php34 (4.43元) | 0.34元 | + 1221% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Php2,422 (314元) | 412元 | - 24% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Php176 (23元) | 25元 | - 8% | |
| TOTAL | + 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.12952
CNY
/
PHP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,195 prices entered by 194 different people.
Cost of living in Philippines is 14% more expensive than in China
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