Calamba vs Dumaguete
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Dumaguete is approximately 18% less expensive than Calamba based on cost of living including rent. This makes Dumaguete a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Dumaguete has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 64.85, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Dumaguete is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Calamba
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Dumaguete
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Calamba
Calamba is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $350/mo and a single adult budget tier at $444/mo, but the average monthly net salary of $255/mo means local wages cannot cover those costs. The overall expat score of 80/100 and FIRE score of 82/100 look strong, yet the retiree score of 64/100 and digital nomad score of 68/100 expose the catch: a small expat community, English proficiency that is common only in tourist areas, and a $1,500/mo income requirement for the SRRV Retirement Visa. If you arrive with foreign income, the $4 restaurant meals, $12 three-course dinner for two, and $23/mo internet make Calamba a genuinely affordable base 15 km from MNL. If you need to earn locally, skip it.
About Philippines
Retirees on fixed incomes near the $1,500/mo SRRV minimum get the best deal here: rent outside the center runs under $200 and English is widely spoken, easing daily friction. But that low cost sits against a -1.1 political stability score and only medium expat safety ratings, so this suits people who can tolerate some instability for cash savings. Bad fit: anyone needing top-tier healthcare or a guaranteed path to citizenship.
Calamba costs roughly 3% less than Dumaguete. Dumaguete scores significantly higher on safety — worth weighing against the cost gap. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Dumaguete is approximately 18% less expensive than Calamba based on cost of living including rent. This makes Dumaguete a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Dumaguete has a FIRE Score of 81/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 64.85, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Dumaguete is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Calamba
Calamba is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom in the city center at $350/mo and a single adult budget tier at $444/mo, but the average monthly net salary of $255/mo means local wages cannot cover those costs. The overall expat score of 80/100 and FIRE score of 82/100 look strong, yet the retiree score of 64/100 and digital nomad score of 68/100 expose the catch: a small expat community, English proficiency that is common only in tourist areas, and a $1,500/mo income requirement for the SRRV Retirement Visa. If you arrive with foreign income, the $4 restaurant meals, $12 three-course dinner for two, and $23/mo internet make Calamba a genuinely affordable base 15 km from MNL. If you need to earn locally, skip it.
About Philippines
Retirees on fixed incomes near the $1,500/mo SRRV minimum get the best deal here: rent outside the center runs under $200 and English is widely spoken, easing daily friction. But that low cost sits against a -1.1 political stability score and only medium expat safety ratings, so this suits people who can tolerate some instability for cash savings. Bad fit: anyone needing top-tier healthcare or a guaranteed path to citizenship.
$2,468/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Dumaguete
Dumaguete is a budget expat's dream on paper, but the local salary of $282/mo versus a single person's $460/mo excluding rent means you'll need outside income or savings to live here comfortably. The $235/mo city-center one-bedroom and $4 restaurant meals are absurdly cheap, yet the $1,500/mo SRRV retirement visa income requirement is nearly triple the comfortable tier total of $580/mo, so retirees need deep pockets relative to local costs. The 75/100 safety index and good healthcare are solid, but the small expat community and 45 Mbps internet cap the appeal for digital nomads despite the 71/100 score. Skip it if you crave nightlife or career opportunities; embrace it if you want a slow, cheap, and safe base near the airport.
About Philippines
Retirees on fixed incomes near the $1,500/mo SRRV minimum get the best deal here: rent outside the center runs under $200 and English is widely spoken, easing daily friction. But that low cost sits against a -1.1 political stability score and only medium expat safety ratings, so this suits people who can tolerate some instability for cash savings. Bad fit: anyone needing top-tier healthcare or a guaranteed path to citizenship.
$2,338/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Calamba | Dumaguete |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $350 | $296.04 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $250 | $276.72 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $750 | $814.5 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $550 | $354.27 |
| Safety Index | 37.27 | 64.85 |
| Internet Speed | 56Mbps | 45Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Calamba | Dumaguete |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $531/mo | $658/mo |
| Excluding rent | $281/mo | $381/mo |
| Rent | $250/mo | $277/mo |
| Groceries | $95.00/mo | $112/mo |
| Dining out | $16.00/mo | $50.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $29.00/mo | $77.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $141/mo | $130/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $12.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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