Cost of Living in Davao, Philippines

Are you considering a move to Davao, Philippines, and wondering about the cost of living? Davao is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Davao and help you understand whether $1182 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $428.26.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Davao, Philippines
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

3.61 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

27.1 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

2.71 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

1.2 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.81 $

Cappuccino (regular)

2.06 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

0.78 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.45 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

1.78 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.24 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

0.9 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.89 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

5.65 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

4.52 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

7.45 $

Apples (1 lb)

2.85 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.07 $

Oranges (1 lb)

2.45 $

Tomato (1 lb)

1.72 $

Potato (1 lb)

2.41 $

Onion (1 lb)

3.52 $

Lettuce (1 head)

1.5 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.55 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

9.03 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.46 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.56 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

2.71 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.22 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

14.46 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

0.81 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

0.24 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

1.81 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.31 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

23490.72 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

24687.84 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

96.18 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

--

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

38.55 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

52.4 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

4.52 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

4.61 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

127.99 $

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

8131.4 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

72.28 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

30.27 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

74.54 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

74.54 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

286.1 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

151.33 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

677.62 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

284.6 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

2139.46 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

1806.98 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

428.26 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

6.43 %

Cost of Living in Davao, Philippines

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the monthly cost of living in Davao?

The monthly expenses for living in Davao come to a total of approximately $1182. This includes an average monthly rent of around $286 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $115 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $431 per month.

How affordable is living in Davao?

Living in Davao appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $428.26. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Davao, you would likely need an income exceeding $428.26.

What is the average salary in Davao?

In Davao, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $428.26, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.

What is the average rent in Davao?

The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Davao is approximately $286. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $151.33 for such an apartment.

What is the cost of groceries in Davao?

The expense for groceries in Davao can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $382 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.

What is the cost of living in Philippines?

The cost of living in Philippines can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Philippines.

Davao, Philippines

How Safe Is Davao, Philippines for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Davao, Philippines

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

The criminal activity in Davao City has increased greatly during the past couple of years. However, this criminal activity, for the most part, doesn't concern tourists. You should be careful in tourist hotspots because these are the places where most thefts and pickpocketing occur, and that violent crime exists, too.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Transport is not the most reliable in Davao City and can get annoying, but for the most part, it is safe. Count on taxi drivers trying to rip you off, extremely annoying traffic jams the Philippines are notorious for, intolerant and reckless drivers, and taxi drivers working without meters.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Though the risk of petty theft exists due to the popularity of this destination, and many pickpockets are operating around the beaches and popular tourist hotspots, the level of petty crime is low compared to many European capitals.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The Philippines are somewhat susceptible to typhoons, floods, landlines, tsunamis, while volcanic eruptions are also becoming a serious issue in the country.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

While petty crime is lacking, violent crime exists in Davao. Assaults, robberies, and kidnappings are extremely common all over the islands but most don't affect the foreigners.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

There have been numerous terrorist attacks in this part of the Philippines' recent history. Davao has been targeted by bomb blasts in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017. Apart from that, deadly battles are being fought between terrorists and the Philippine army outside of the city of Davao.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

Always carry small bills with you. Vendors will try and make you buy more things by saying they have no change for large bills. Apart from that, be wary of people lurking around ATMs or anyone trying to distract you. Taxi drivers might try to trick you into paying more, giving you wrongful information about the price of the ride.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

It is advised that women avoid walking alone after dark. Apply all precaution measures at all times and avoid dark and empty streets and locations. If you avoid these situations, it's mostly safe in Davao for women.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

U.S. residents do not need a visa for any stays shorter than 90 days. All other nationals will need to acquire a visa to enter the Philippines. If you are not sure about your visa status, you should visit your local Philippine embassy.

currency_exchange

Currency

The Philippine peso is the official currency of Davao City. Tourists are advised to exchange their money at the official establishments such as the Bank of the Philippine Islands or Banco De Oro.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

The climate in Davao City is tropical, with the hottest season lasting from March to May. The rainy season lasts from June to October and during this season you can expect strong typhoons. The coolest months are from November to February,

flight_takeoff

Airports

Francisco Bangoy International Airport also referred to as Davao International Airport, is the main airport serving Davao City and Davao Region in the Philippines. It is, actually, the busiest airport on the island of Mindanao and the third busiest in the Philippines.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Davao City, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Davao, Philippines

What about weather in Davao, Philippines ?
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 87°F 88°F 89°F 91°F 90°F 89°F 88°F 89°F 89°F 90°F 89°F 88°F
Temp 80°F 81°F 82°F 83°F 83°F 82°F 82°F 82°F 82°F 82°F 82°F 81°F
Low 75°F 75°F 76°F 77°F 78°F 77°F 77°F 77°F 76°F 76°F 76°F 76°F
Average Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
High 30°C 31°C 31°C 32°C 32°C 31°C 31°C 31°C 31°C 32°C 31°C 31°C
Temp 26°C 27°C 27°C 28°C 28°C 27°C 27°C 27°C 27°C 27°C 27°C 27°C
Low 23°C 23°C 24°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 25°C 24°C 24°C 24°C 24°C

Comparison Cost of living in other cities in Philippines with Davao

Comparison Cost of living in other cities

Cost of living in countries