Here's How To Compare Cost Of Living

[Dave Hounddriver]

There have been many threads about cost of living in Philippines and who can live cheaper where.  I found a site that I am thrilled with that does instant comparisons that seem reasonably accurate in my experience.  You can find it at:

 

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/comparison.jsp

 

When I compared the cost of living in Manila to the cost in Cebu, I was not surprised to find out that it would cost 95,700 pesos a month to have the same standard of living in Manila as 80,000 pesos would buy you in Cebu.

 

What I was surprised to find out is that it would only cost 67,400 pesos a month to have that same standard of living in Davao.  That may be well worth considering for some.

 

It is also great to compare the costs from Cebu to other major cities around the world.  For example, 80,000 pesos a month in Cebu would give the same standard of living as CDN $4,900 a month would buy you in Toronto, Canada. (Or the same as $3,900 a month would buy in Hamilton, Canada).

 

Please keep in mind that there are a lot of costs they don't include such as visa runs, visa costs, hospital stays and supporting filipino extended families  :hystery:

Edited September 1, 2013 by Dave Hounddriver

[i am bob]

It's not a bad site but they don't clear their data often enough. Or even confirm that it is accurate. I forget what the item was in Hamilton but the pricing was really out to lunch... Something like 3 times it's actual cost. People input what they spend so if you have a bunch of well off people only to input what they spend, well, there goes an accurate comparison out the window. Still this is a better way to understand what you can find in the Philippines over any other method I have found so far.

[robert k]

The numbers for Fort Worth Texas matched extremely well except for the cost of apples and oranges, I Wish I knew where they were getting them, 20% cheaper than I am. Still I am likely to be buying local fresh fruit when I make the move so it's a matter of little importance.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I had a different, similar, site bookmarked but this one seems to have more entries.  And is more accurate.  Their prices for Dallas, TX and Iloilo seem pretty good.  I'm sure we can all shop around and find higher/lower prices but these seem to be pretty good averages.

 

It says "You would need around 68,994.95₱ (1,549.23$) in Iloilo to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 3,800.00$ in Dallas, TX"  And that is about right - too bad I am living on half that (and not the same standard of living) ha ha  :tiphat:

[robert k]

Whatever you do, don't compare Naga city. It looks like if the cost of living outside the city center were any lower they would be paying you to live there. :)

[Bundy]

I had posted a link to this website previously as at that time I thought it was pretty close to the mark. In my own opinion there is just no way to predict the "how much do I need question" because just like trying to make a living on the land in Australia, there are too many variables to factor in. The question keeps coming back again and again. In the end the only way you're gonna know if you can make it living here is to try it. Just like farming, you need to look at a long term input, forget what you're investing and hope at the end you'll come out on the plus side of the ledger!

Just as a matter of interest..........in my own case, we were living on around 90,000 peso a month in Australia and here we live almost the exact same life on a tad over 30,000 pesos. The website says that Brisbane is around 300% dearer than Cebu so on that basis it really is pretty accurate. BTW we did not pay rent in Australia, just as we do not pay rent here.

[i am bob]

That's great news! If that holds true for my living in Niagara where they say a tad better than half is needed, I'll be in great shape! I only needed $500 for the last 2 months which means only $250 or about P10,000... Hmmm... Something just doesn't feel right...

:)

[BrettGC]

Well Tinayunan Beach in Guihulngan City is not listed but it's not too far North of Dumaguete so ran with that and it's 67% cheaper over all.  Tried to compare Bacolod, which is actually closer to Guilhungan but in a different province, but there's a lot of blanks there.  What I find interesting, and already suspected is that given the figures on the site, and based on my projected income once I arrive, I will be capable of a higher standard of living than I currently maintain.  $5300 (which I don't earn) for here, vs $1700 (less than my pension) for a metropolitan city in Negros.  I won't be paying rent once I arrive permanently either. 

Edited October 29, 2013 by BrettGC

[Call me bubba]

still pretty good to use and compare what prices are what /

 maybe the newer members will be able to plan ahead on their budgets

[Methersgate]

Thanks - this is far and away the best site that I have seen for the purpose.