El Nido, Palawan — turquoise lagoons and limestone cliffs

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Cost of living data, visa guides, and city comparisons — everything you need to make the move.

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Weigh the Philippines against other places on your shortlist.

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Popular cities for expats

Makati

Makati

From $1,500/mo

4.5
BGC

BGC

From $2,000/mo

4.6
Cebu

Cebu

From $1,000/mo

4.5
Davao

Davao

From $800/mo

4.4
Dumaguete

Dumaguete

From $700/mo

4.7
Show all cities

Live like an expat in the Philippines

This is what $1,200/month looks like. Beach mornings, fresh markets, and work-from-anywhere freedom.

Digital nomad working from a cafe

Remote Work

Fast wifi, $3 lunches, ocean views

Tropical fruit market in the Philippines

Local Markets

Fresh mangoes for $0.50/kg

Morning coffee on a balcony overlooking nature

Retirement

Your pension goes 3x further

Why this guide exists

Moving abroad shouldn't mean piecing together Reddit threads.

Most Philippines expat info is scattered across outdated blogs, vlogger opinions, and forum posts from 2019. We built the single resource that should have existed years ago.

Browse Guides
70+In-depth guidesCities, visas, topics
$800Avg monthly budgetIn smaller cities
20+Cities coveredCost data & rankings
FreePlanning toolsChecklists, budgets, comparisons

Plan your move with free tools

Not just content — actual utility. Calculate costs, find your visa, and compare cities.

Cost of Living Calculator

Enter your expenses and see what your budget gets you in any Philippine city.

Visa Checker

Answer 4 questions and get a ranked list of visa options with requirements.

City Comparison

Compare 2-3 cities side by side — cost, internet, safety, and lifestyle.

Guides tailored to how you're moving

Retirees

Retirees

SRRV visa, healthcare rankings, best cities, pension-friendly budgets.

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Digital Nomads

Digital Nomads

Internet speeds, coworking, digital nomad visa, best cafe culture.

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Families

Families

13(a) marriage visa, international schools, family-friendly cities.

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Your questions, answered

How much does it cost to live in the Philippines?
A comfortable lifestyle costs $1,000-1,500/month in most cities. Budget expats can live on $600-800/month in smaller cities like Dumaguete or Baguio. Manila runs $1,200-2,500/month depending on your neighborhood.
Do I need a visa to live in the Philippines?
Tourists get 30 days visa-free (extendable to 3 years). Retirees can apply for the SRRV visa. Those married to Filipinos qualify for the 13(a) permanent visa. Digital nomads can use tourist extensions or the new digital nomad visa.
What's the best city for expats?
Manila for career opportunities. Cebu for beaches plus infrastructure. Dumaguete for small-town charm. Baguio for cool weather. Davao for the best value. Our city comparison tool helps you decide.
Is the Philippines safe for foreigners?
Generally yes, especially in major cities and tourist areas. Filipinos are famously hospitable. Common-sense precautions apply — avoid flashing expensive items and stick to well-known areas at night.
Who writes this guide?
A Filipino who helps expats navigate life in the Philippines. Local knowledge, not secondhand blog posts. We cite official government sources for visa and cost data.

Your Philippines life starts here.

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