Metro Manila, Philippines

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Cost of living in Metro Manila

Real monthly costs in Metro Manila, Philippines — USD, from the same data behind the Pro model.

Photo: jopetsy, CC BY 2.0.

Metro Manila is the most expensive of Philippines's 7 priced cities — $689 a month in essentials, 39% above Iloilo City at $495. The average net salary of $469 covers that 0.7×. 102.9 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at metro level. PM2.5 averages 14.5 µg/m³ a year, 3× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages 27°C, May 30°C.

Essentials / mo$689rent + bills + food + transit
Men per 100 women102.9ages 20–39, metro level
Avg net salary$469monthly, after tax
Safety score35/100higher = safer

Monthly cost breakdown

Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.

ItemMonthly USD
Rent, 1-bed outside centre$290
Rent, 1-bed city centre$539
Groceries$116
Dining out$124
Utilities$146
Local transport$13
Essentials / mo$689
Avg net salary$469
Rent, 3-bed outside centre$678
Rent, 3-bed city centre$1,941

Single person, USD. Data updated July 27, 2026.

Everyday prices

What single items cost in Metro Manila, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.

Eating out

ItemUSD
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$5.68
Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses$25.95
McMeal at McDonald's$4.05
Cappuccino, regular$2.50
Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught$1.18
Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle$2.76
Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L$1.45
Water, 0.33 L bottle$0.83

Groceries

ItemUSD
Milk, 1 L$1.96
White bread, 500 g$1.39
White rice, 1 kg$1.03
Eggs, 12$2.25
Local cheese, 1 kg$7.91
Chicken fillets, 1 kg$5.06
Apples, 1 kg$3.34
Bananas, 1 kg$1.84
Tomatoes, 1 kg$1.85
Potatoes, 1 kg$2.31
Onions, 1 kg$2.70
Water, 1.5 L bottle$0.58

Transport & bills

ItemUSD
One-way ticket, local transport$0.49
Monthly transit pass$12.98
Taxi start$0.77
Taxi, 1 km$0.23
Gasoline, 1 L$1.25
Basic utilities, 85 m² flat$122.35
Internet, 60 Mbps+$23.67
Mobile plan, monthly$14.94

Leisure

ItemUSD
Gym, monthly$43.95
Cinema, one seat$7.30

Dating-age sex ratio

Metro Manila has 102.9 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (metro level). That is the 2nd-highest of 7 Philippines cities we track. Philippines's national figure is 101.7, so Metro Manila runs 1 above the country as a whole.

A supply figure, 20–39. The dating-pool model is in Pro.

Climate & air

Ten-year monthly means, 2015–2024 — a climate profile, not a forecast.

Air qualityPM2.5 14.5µg/m³, annual mean
Warmest month30°CMay
Coolest month27°CJan
Wettest month336 mmJul
MonthAvgFeelsHumidityCloudRain
Jan26.6°C29.7°C76%57%60 mm
Feb27°C29.8°C73%48%18 mm
Mar28.4°C31.8°C69%41%8 mm
Apr29.8°C34°C68%40%23 mm
May30.4°C35.7°C71%60%103 mm
Jun29.4°C35.1°C77%75%174 mm
Jul28.4°C33.7°C82%88%336 mm
Aug28.2°C33.4°C83%88%290 mm
Sep28.2°C33.8°C83%86%263 mm
Oct28.3°C33.6°C80%74%200 mm
Nov28.3°C32.9°C77%60%81 mm
Dec27.4°C31.4°C78%65%167 mm

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