Cost of Living in Makati City, Manila

Makati City, known as the financial hub of the Philippines, offers a dynamic urban lifestyle with a range of amenities. Below is a detailed breakdown of typical monthly expenses for living in Makati, with prices in both Philippine Pesos (PHP) and US Dollars (USD).

1. 2 Bedroom Condo:

   • PHP: 60,000 - 100,000
   • USD: $1,120 - $1,870
   • I paid 925$ and stayed in a nice two bedroom with reliable wifi.  The bedrooms were very small but in general that is Filipino style. 

2. Groceries:

   • PHP: 10,000 - 15,000
   • USD: $187 - $280
   • I spent 200$ with a consistent diet of egg's and vegetables.  I bought some protein powder imported from America and that drove up my cost some.  

3. Phone Bills:

   • PHP: 1,000 - 1,500
   • USD: $19 - $28
   • I spent 45$ because of being unfamiliar with the system.  Here in the Philippines they do not have unlimited phone plans so you have to pay for data.  The trick is you have to turn off your data on your phone and only turn it on when you need ot use it. 

4. Transportation:

   • Taxi Rides:
     • PHP: 100 - 200 per trip
     • USD: $1.87 - $3.74 per trip
   • Train (MRT):
     • PHP: 1,500 - 3,000 monthly
     • USD: $28 - $56 monthly
     • I only spent 10$ because my son and I did not go anywhere we just hit the gym and worked online.  

5. Entertainment:

   • PHP: 2,000 - 3,500 per outing
   • USD: $37 - $65 per outing
   • I spent 0$ after getting pickpocketed last month in Quezon City I am still a little upset and just take the anger out in the gym.

6. Gym Membership:

   • PHP: 2,500 - 5,000
   • USD: $47 - $94
   • I paid 70$ for two gym memberships and the gym is a right next to the condo so super convenient.  

7. Child Care:

   • PHP: 10,000 - 20,000
   • USD: $187 - $374
   • 0$ my son is 17 now so child care is in the past for me.

Comparison with Other Cities in the Philippines

Makati is more expensive then the rest of the Philippines but it is also safer than the other areas of Manila which have a significantly higher crime rate, let's compare the cost of living in Makati with other cool spots in the Philippines: Cebu (another city with some beaches nearby), Baguio (a chill mountain spot), Davao (a very safe small city), Bohol (a very cool beach spot), and Siargao Island (a tourist island with lots of foreigners and is the surfing capital of the Philippinnes).

So heres the deal If you're planning to move to the Philippines or just curious about what it costs to live in different cities, let's dive into the convenient life of Makati City, Manila. Known as the country's financial heart, Makati offers all the luxuries you would need but at a higher cost than the rest of the Philippines. 

For a comfortable two-bedroom condo in Makati, you're looking at PHP 60,000 to PHP 100,000 a month, which is around $1,120 to $1,870. Groceries for a small family or couple will set you back PHP 10,000 to PHP 15,000, roughly $187 to $280. Staying connected is affordable, with phone bills ranging from PHP 1,000 to PHP 1,500 ($19 to $28).  This is cheap compared to cities in America but expensive for the Philippines and not ideal if you are on a budget.  We have just been working on the computer and going to the gym while we are here.  The advantages in Makati is that most of the condominium buildings have a small mall attached to them so we walk downstairs get our groceries, go to the gym and take care of all of our daily business without having to go anywhere.

Getting around Makati is convenient make sure you download the grab application to avoid taxi scams.  Taxi's are affordable and trust me you do not want to drive in Manila.  The traffic is some of the worst in the world and there are motorbikes darting in and out all around the cars.  So here is a summary of the travel expenses: Taxi rides costing PHP 100 to PHP 200 ($1.87 to $3.74) per trip, and a monthly MRT pass costing PHP 1,500 to PHP 3,000 ($28 to $56).  I need the gym in my life and Gym memberships range from PHP 2,500 to PHP 5,000 ($47 to $94). And if you have small children, child care costs PHP 10,000 to PHP 20,000 ($187 to $374) per month.  Enjoying the city's nightlife and entertainment? Expect to spend PHP 2,000 to PHP 3,500 ($37 to $65) per month.  I did not do any nightlife here, if you are a foreigner and enjoy the nightlife make sure to watch your pockets, pickpocketing is common in Manila and they are very fast and professional.  

When compared to other top Philippine destinations like Cebu, Baguio, Davao, Bohol, and Siargao Island, Makati is more expensive, but it is the biggest city so that is to be expected. Whether you're drawn to Cebu's bustling city life with beaches nearby, Baguio's cool mountain air, Davao's pristine cleanliness, Bohol's natural beauty, or Siargao's surf spots and party vibe, there's a place for every lifestyle and budget.

To be honest I have not enjoyed Manila and I will not return to live but some people like it here so that is just my opinion.  I think the Philippines is about the nature and beaches so I will look at moving to Bohol or living in Island life in Siargao in the future. Hope this gives you a better idea of what to expect when considering a move to these cities in the Philippines. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more travel tips and insights. See you next time!