Manila Ranks Among the Most Expensive Places to Live in Southeast Asia

A study from e-commerce aggregator iPrice reveals that Manila ranks third most expensive city to live in Southeast Asia with an average cost of living of P50,798 per month (accounting necessities such as rent, food, transportation, utilities, etc.) not further below Bangkok, Thailand with P51,517. However, without rent the cost of living in Manila is P28,800.

In rent prices among Southeast Asian cities, Manila ranks second most expensive rent prices in the region right behind Singapore.

“The price of a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Manila is 56% higher than Kuala Lumpur’s, 47% higher than Jakarta’s, 31% higher than Ho Chi Minh’s. And yet, these are all cities that have comparable economic states. Surprisingly, it is even 9% higher than Bangkok’s, which is a Southeast Asian tourist hotspot,” iPrice said.

The high cost of living does not coincide with high pay, as Manila ranks the lowest in estimated average net salary among the other cities in Southeast Asia with only P18.9k. The cost of living in Manila is 168% higher than the average salary.

iPrice also mentioned that more than a quarter of the population in Manila are living in unstable houses while others live in railroads or garbage dumpsites.

“About 35% of Metro Manila’s population is reported to live in unstable, badly constructed shelters in the slums, and 11% of these reside near railroads or garbage dumps,” iPrice said.

Instead of renting a whole room or an entire apartment, bed spaces are common in Manila, some locals resort share spaces with other people to save money. (ASC)