Imus vs Mambajao
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Mambajao is approximately 20% less expensive than Imus based on cost of living including rent. This makes Mambajao a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Mambajao has a FIRE Score of 82/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 66, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Mambajao is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Imus
Philippines
Mambajao
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Mambajao
Mambajao is a bargain hunter's dream: a 1-bedroom outside the center runs $56/mo and an inexpensive restaurant meal costs $1, so your pesos stretch absurdly far. The catch is that the local average net salary is just $151/mo, which tells you the economy here is not built for earning, only for spending. Pair that with a retiree score of 58/100, limited English, a small expat community, and a wet season from June to November, and Mambajao suits self-funded hermits and FIRE true believers, not anyone chasing a social scene or a local paycheck.
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.
Mambajao costs roughly 4.3x less than Imus. Imus has significantly faster average internet speeds (40 Mbps vs 20 Mbps). Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Mambajao is approximately 20% less expensive than Imus based on cost of living including rent. This makes Mambajao a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Mambajao has a FIRE Score of 82/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 66, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Mambajao is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Imus
Imus is a cheap place to live, with one-bedroom rent in the center at $119/mo and a budget-tier total of $330/mo, but the average local net salary of $172/mo means most expats need outside income to make it work. The expat community is small and English is common mainly in tourist areas, so expect to build your own social circle rather than slot into an established one. Air quality sits at 68 and healthcare quality is only fair, which matters more here than the low prices suggest. It suits remote workers and budget-focused retirees who want tropical weather and low costs, not anyone chasing big-city amenities or a deep expat scene.
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.
$2,567/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Mambajao
Mambajao is a bargain hunter's dream: a 1-bedroom outside the center runs $56/mo and an inexpensive restaurant meal costs $1, so your pesos stretch absurdly far. The catch is that the local average net salary is just $151/mo, which tells you the economy here is not built for earning, only for spending. Pair that with a retiree score of 58/100, limited English, a small expat community, and a wet season from June to November, and Mambajao suits self-funded hermits and FIRE true believers, not anyone chasing a social scene or a local paycheck.
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.
$2,766/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Imus | Mambajao |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $119.14 | $99.62 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $99.28 | $55.79 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $198.56 | $239.1 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $166.79 | $159.4 |
| Safety Index | 55 | 66 |
| Internet Speed | 40Mbps | 20Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Imus | Mambajao |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $433/mo | $234/mo |
| Excluding rent | $334/mo | $178/mo |
| Rent | $99.00/mo | $56.00/mo |
| Groceries | $99.00/mo | $67.00/mo |
| Dining out | $40.00/mo | $14.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $33.00/mo | $13.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $162/mo | $84.00/mo |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
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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