Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo

CalbayogOverall winner

Calbayog is approximately 32% less expensive than Mito based on cost of living including rent. This makes Calbayog a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.

Calbayog has a FIRE Score of 79/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 68, which is relatively safe.

Recommended profile: Calbayog is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.

Side by side

Best in row

Philippines

Calbayog

Increased Caution
FIRE79

Japan

Mito

Normal Precautions
FIRE95
Cost
Cost of living index
30.8
-
One person, excluding rent
Best in row. $477/mo
$1,550/mo
Family of four, excluding rent
Best in row. $1,725/mo
$5,600/mo
Total monthly, rent included
Best in row. $697/mo
$786/mo
Monthly savings
Best in row. $2,303/mo
$2,214/mo
Housing
1BR, city centre
Best in row. $240
$316
1BR, outside centre
Best in row. $160
$316
3BR, city centre
$450
Best in row. $443
3BR, outside centre
Best in row. $320
$380
Scores
FIRE score
Best in row. 87/100
73/100
Nomad score
30/100
Best in row. 50/100
Retiree score
51/100
Best in row. 81/100
Overall score
79/100
Best in row. 95/100
Safety & infrastructure
Safety index
68
Best in row. 89.7
Internet speed
20 Mbps
Best in row. 200 Mbps
Walkability score
-
-

Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.

About these cities

About Calbayog

Calbayog is a cheap, low-key provincial city where a single adult can live on a budget tier of $380/mo, and the $160/mo rent outside the center is the kind of number that makes Manila look absurd. The catch is that local salaries average just $151/mo, so unless you are spending foreign income, the math does not work. With very few expats, English mostly confined to tourist areas, and fair healthcare, this is a place for self-sufficient retirees or remote workers who want tropical quiet, not a social scene. The 79/100 expat score and 81/100 FIRE score flatter it; the 56/100 retiree and digital nomad scores tell the truer story.

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.

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Calbayog vs Mito -- Frequently Asked Questions

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