Tagbilaran City vs Cebu
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Cebu is approximately 9.3x more expensive than Tagbilaran City based on cost of living including rent. This makes Tagbilaran City a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Tagbilaran City has a FIRE Score of 79/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 50, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Tagbilaran City is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
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Tagbilaran City
Philippines
Cebu
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran is a cheap place to live, with 1-bedroom rent outside the center at $72/mo and a budget tier total of $269/mo, but the average monthly net salary of $213/mo means local wages do not cover even that budget. The expat score of 79/100 and FIRE score of 81/100 look strong until you hit the retiree score of 58/100 and the $1,500/mo income requirement for the Philippines SRRV Retirement Visa. Internet runs at 25 Mbps for $23/mo and English is common in tourist areas, so remote work is feasible, though the digital nomad score of 63/100 and fair healthcare quality keep expectations in check. Come for the $2 restaurant meals and $8/mo transport pass, not for the safety index of 55/100 or the 38 km haul to TAG.
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.
Tagbilaran City costs roughly 3.6x less than Cebu. Cebu scores higher for retirees on healthcare and overall livability. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Cebu is approximately 9.3x more expensive than Tagbilaran City based on cost of living including rent. This makes Tagbilaran City a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Tagbilaran City has a FIRE Score of 79/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 50, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Tagbilaran City is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran is a cheap place to live, with 1-bedroom rent outside the center at $72/mo and a budget tier total of $269/mo, but the average monthly net salary of $213/mo means local wages do not cover even that budget. The expat score of 79/100 and FIRE score of 81/100 look strong until you hit the retiree score of 58/100 and the $1,500/mo income requirement for the Philippines SRRV Retirement Visa. Internet runs at 25 Mbps for $23/mo and English is common in tourist areas, so remote work is feasible, though the digital nomad score of 63/100 and fair healthcare quality keep expectations in check. Come for the $2 restaurant meals and $8/mo transport pass, not for the safety index of 55/100 or the 38 km haul to TAG.
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.
$2,640/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Cebu
Rent outside the center at $304/mo is the standout number for a metro of 1.4 million, letting a budget lifestyle land near $486/mo and a mid-range one at $676. That math favors FIRE chasers and geo-arbitrageurs, who score this city 84, more than retirees, who get 69. The offsetting weakness is 41 Mbps internet, which will frustrate anyone whose income depends on video calls.
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.
$2,262/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Tagbilaran City | Cebu |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $54.72 | $508.05 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $54.72 | $303.66 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $187.62 | $979.81 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $140.71 | $628.03 |
| Safety Index | 50 | 51.09 |
| Internet Speed | 25Mbps | 41Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Tagbilaran City | Cebu |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $359/mo | $717/mo |
| Excluding rent | $304/mo | $413/mo |
| Rent | $55.00/mo | $304/mo |
| Groceries | $90.00/mo | $119/mo |
| Dining out | $20.00/mo | $41.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $69.00/mo | $77.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $116/mo | $164/mo |
| Transport | $9.00/mo | $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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