For Single Person (no dependent)
1 Adult, live-in housekeeper

Housing (2 Br, 1 T&B with dirty kitchen outside) - 6,000
Food (Grocery only) - 5,400
Housekeeper - 2,500
Water (Utility) - 600
Drinking Water - 280
Gas/LPG (for cooking) - 170
Electric Bill (without air conditioning) - 2,800
Internet (PLDT DSL Landline) - 499
Petrol/Gasoline (Moderate use of car: 58.9/litre/10km/day)

Total Monthly Expenses  20,024

An Australian Living with a Filipino family in Mindanao
A Family of three plus occasional relative/visitor

House with 5 Br, 3 T&B (Purchasing Cost) - 1.8 million
House Renovation - 200,000
Car (Second Hand Hilux pickup) - 160,000
Deep Well-Pressure Tank Construction Cost - 40,000

Initial Expenses  2,200,000

Car monthly expenses including Petrol/Gasoline - 5,000
Electricity - 1,200
Telephone - 3,000
Internet - 999
Drinking Water - 300
Food - 4-5,000
Housekeeper - 1,700

Monthly Expenses  16,199 - 17,199

A Filipino (Single) Living in Manila

Apartment Rental - 2, 800
Electric Bill - 600
Water Bill - 80
Food & Shelter - 5,000
Gasoline - 400
Telephone / Internet Bill - 1,400
Accessories – 1,500

Monthly Expenses  11,780

A Filipino Family of Four Living in Bicol

House Construction (not including the cost of land) - 40,000

Initial Expense  40,000

Housekeeper - 1,500
Water (Drinking and Utility) - 50
Electricity (without air conditioning) - 200
Transportation - 1,250
Education (Public Day Care Centre) - 50
Grocery including Food - 7,530

Total Monthly Expenses 10,580

Based on the information above, the cost of living in Manila is a lot higher than in provincial areas. And, foreign residents spend more than the locals. This is because foreigners are used to higher standard of living which includes healthy food, private vehicles, comfortable homes and expensive entertainment and recreational caprices. On the other hand, most Filipinos are inclined to satisfy themselves with meager income which becomes much lesser when they are surviving a fast, growing family or supporting extended families.

However, there are some Filipinos who can live comfortably with only two dollars (USD) per day, most probably because their source of living are owned, grown or given.

Let’s consider a farmer with a family of three who lives in a small nipa hut in the middle of his farm and grows vegetables as well as rice. They use candles and sometimes kerosene instead of electric lights, and use wood/coal for cooking instead of LPG or electric stove. Due to their house’s structure, they don’t need air conditioning or electric fan for ventilation. His children walk to school instead of taking a taxi or jeepney. So, his family only uses money to send the children to school or to buy necessary things like medicine and other food that they cannot produce.

This may be a mere assumption to those who haven’t seen what life in the province is, but to tell you the truth, hilarious or backward it may seem – it exists.

So you can either have a luxurious life in a big city, like what you’ve ever dreamed of (as long as you can afford it) or have a budget-tight way of living like some people in the country. It’s for you to decide!