Manila vs Bangkok Cost of Living

Manila (Philippines) · Overall index 32.9Bangkok (Thailand) · Overall index 36.1

Summary

  • Overall, Bangkok is 10% more expensive than Manila.
  • Telecom in Bangkok is 14% more expensive than in Manila.
  • Dining out in Bangkok is 13% more expensive than in Manila.
ItemManilaBangkokDiff
Rent+7%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$859$785-9%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$487$630+29%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,321$1,512+14%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,063$1,069+1%
Groceries+8%
Milk (1L)$0.62$0.61-2%
White bread (500g)$1.85$2.14+16%
Rice (1kg)$2.02$2.56+27%
Eggs (12)$2.34$2.53+8%
Local cheese (1kg)$5.71$6.93+21%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$5.35$6.15+15%
Beef round (1kg)$9.31$10.3+11%
Apples (1kg)$2.54$2.84+12%
Bananas (1kg)$0.97$0.93-4%
Oranges (1kg)$2.09$2.4+15%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.66$2.38-11%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.2$1.38+15%
Onions (1kg)$1.3$1.39+7%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.23$1.2-2%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.15$1.22+6%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$7.3$7.66+5%
Transport+9%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.03$1.01-2%
Public transport, monthly pass$41.6$44.6+7%
Taxi, base fare$1.37$1.59+16%
Taxi, per km$0.64$0.81+27%
Gasoline (1L)$0.31$0.37+19%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$10,901$10,133-7%
Dining out+13%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$9.18$8.84-4%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$42.6$47.5+12%
Fast food combo meal$3.96$5.21+32%
Cappuccino$1.79$2.15+20%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.03$1.11+8%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$2.96$3.3+11%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.25$3.74+15%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.7$0.78+11%
Telecom+14%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$29.8$33.4+12%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$30.2$37.1+23%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.15$0.19+27%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$8.29$8.290%
Utilities & household+7%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$81.4$81.50%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.09$0.090%
Tap water (1m³)$2.06$2.32+13%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.62$0.67+8%
Waste collection (monthly)$10.9$10.8-1%
Fitness club (monthly)$38.5$37.2-3%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$6.49$7.95+22%
Men's haircut$13.8$15.5+12%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$10.8$12.7+18%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$955$991+4%

3,270 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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