Manila, Philippines
Editor
March 12, 2023
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for an exciting and vibrant city to explore. With its rich culture, diverse cuisine, and stunning natural beauty, Manila offers something for everyone. The city is home to a thriving tech industry, with a growing number of startups and tech companies. The cost of living is relatively low, making it an attractive option for digital nomads on a budget. Additionally, the city is well-connected with a reliable public transportation system and a wide range of accommodation options. According to the World Bank, the Philippines ranks as the fourth most affordable country in the world for digital nomads. With its vibrant culture, diverse cuisine, and low cost of living, Manila is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for an exciting and affordable place to explore.
Living in Manila, Philippines: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
112%
Quality of life -
30%
Cost of living -
87%
Connectivity -
61%
Weather
31
General
| Currency | PHP |
| Population (in millions) | 12.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 145 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Makati, Taguig |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 80 |
| Top selling local beer | San Miguel |
| Most popular local dish | Adobo |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Intramuros, Rizal Park, Manila Ocean Park |
| Discount airline | Cebu Pacific |
| Major airline | Philippine Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Grab |
| Primary train stations | Tutuban Station, Pasay Road Station, Blumentritt Station |
| Primary airports | Ninoy Aquino, Clark International, and Subic Bay |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 500000 PHP |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | SM Aura Premier, C5 Road corner 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 10 Mbps |
| Power socket type | A,B |
| Supply voltage | 220V |
| Best electronics store | Abenson |
| Best internet carrier | PLDT |
| Primary cellular carrier | Globe |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 1,000 PHP |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Watsons |
| Best restaurant chain | Max's |
| The best grocery store | Rustan's |
| The most popular fashion brand | SM |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $3,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $10,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 12% |
| Income tax rate | 35% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 30 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 8.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 10,000 PHP |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | BDO |
| Average tip in restaurant | 10-15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 911 (general), 882-0800 (police), 877-7911 (ambulance), 890-6789 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 16,000 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 73 |
| Main religion | Catholic |
Quality of life
112%
-
35%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
347%
Property to income -
65%
Crime -
64%
Healthcare -
61%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ₱24,388 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 8.11% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | ₱12,833 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | ₱700,000 |
Cost of living
30%
-
Purchasing Power
26%
-
Rent
20%
-
Food
38%
-
Restaurant
26%
-
Workspace
90%
-
Transport
54%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | ₱31,061.44 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₱16,411.76 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | ₱93,846.15 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₱41,400.00 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | ₱328.75 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | ₱94.77 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | ₱72.37 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | ₱103.17 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | ₱373.42 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | ₱37.23 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ₱500.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | ₱66.66 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₱98.59 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | ₱150.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | ₱253.71 |
| Apples (1kg) | ₱160.39 |
| Oranges (1kg) | ₱167.97 |
| Potato (1kg) | ₱108.22 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ₱77.62 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | ₱51.02 |
| Tomato (1kg) | ₱81.42 |
| Banana (1kg) | ₱82.29 |
| Onion (1kg) | ₱115.81 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | ₱396.90 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | ₱250.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | ₱1,600.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | ₱200.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | ₱78.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₱120.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | ₱55.97 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | ₱26.09 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | ₱168.90 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | ₱5,828.65 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | ₱8.27 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | ₱2,146.23 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | ₱2,833.33 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | ₱328.75 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | ₱340.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | ₱30.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | ₱672.30 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | ₱76.20 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₱1,300,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₱1,023,888.89 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | ₱40.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | ₱13.75 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | ₱120.00 |
