Cost of living in Philippines compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 42% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Philippines is 42% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Philippines | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Php317 (₩8,115) | ₩11,447 | - 29% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Php241 (₩6,152) | ₩8,463 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Php127 (₩3,243) | ₩6,487 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Php139 (₩3,561) | ₩3,005 | + 18% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Php144 (₩3,690) | ₩4,131 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Php139 (₩3,553) | ₩7,882 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Php232 (₩5,934) | ₩8,410 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Php136 (₩3,487) | ₩9,989 | - 65% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Php162 (₩4,136) | ₩4,206 | - 2% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Php83 (₩2,131) | ₩3,648 | - 42% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Php617 (₩15,764) | ₩29,378 | - 46% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Php71 (₩1,824) | ₩2,506 | - 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Php50 (₩1,276) | ₩4,400 | - 71% | |
| Housing | - 35% | |||
| Housing in Philippines is 35% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Philippines | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Php90,202 (₩2,305,972) | ₩3,503,830 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Php42,386 (₩1,083,568) | ₩1,911,090 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Php8,529 (₩218,049) | - | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Php29,013 (₩741,710) | ₩1,369,270 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Php15,847 (₩405,123) | ₩776,874 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Php5,878 (₩150,277) | ₩542,787 | - 72% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Php1,689 (₩43,182) | ₩29,901 | + 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Php27,709 (₩708,353) | ₩800,000 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Php7,821 (₩199,935) | ₩150,000 | + 33% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Php353 (₩9,034) | ₩14,795 | - 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Php516 (₩13,190) | ₩30,000 | - 56% | |
| Clothes | - 35% | |||
| Clothes in Philippines is 35% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Philippines | South Korea | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Php1,993 (₩50,942) | ₩85,683 | - 41% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Php1,588 (₩40,592) | ₩66,207 | - 39% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Php4,683 (₩119,730) | ₩117,681 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Php3,751 (₩95,881) | ₩172,946 | - 45% | |
| Transportation | - 36% | |||
| Transportation in Philippines is 36% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Philippines | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Php1,291,510 (₩33,016,780) | ₩35,630,100 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Php61 (₩1,550) | ₩1,683 | - 8% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Php969 (₩24,764) | ₩60,660 | - 59% | |
| Personal Care | + 45% | |||
| Personal Care in Philippines is 45% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Philippines | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Php670 (₩17,121) | ₩9,000 | + 90% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Php1,211 (₩30,960) | ₩10,000 | + 210% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Php18,000 (₩460,161) | ₩200,000 | + 130% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Php222 (₩5,674) | ₩17,379 | - 67% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Php222 (₩5,683) | ₩11,250 | - 49% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Php276 (₩7,044) | ₩10,000 | - 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Php86 (₩2,189) | ₩2,000 | + 9% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Php103 (₩2,632) | ₩3,239 | - 19% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Php368 (₩9,402) | ₩17,429 | - 46% | |
| Entertainment | + 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Philippines is 35% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Philippines | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Php1,103 (₩28,193) | ₩51,145 | - 45% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Php829 (₩21,201) | ₩30,000 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Php3,736 (₩95,509) | ₩40,000 | + 139% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Php2,179 (₩55,707) | ₩68,634 | - 19% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Php416 (₩10,625) | ₩15,000 | - 29% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Php189 (₩4,833) | ₩5,270 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Php169 (₩4,326) | ₩4,894 | - 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Php60,201 (₩1,538,997) | ₩1,089,690 | + 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Php34 (₩874) | ₩240 | + 264% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Php2,326 (₩59,453) | ₩74,234 | - 20% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Php178 (₩4,546) | ₩4,500 | + 1% | |
| TOTAL | - 21% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
25.564
KRW
/
PHP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 705 prices entered by 138 different people.
Cost of living in Philippines is 21% cheaper than in South Korea
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