Cost of living in the Philippines

To me it seems a very simple question, but I am having a hard time finding an understandable answer.

I am thinking of coming to the Philippines to retire. I have a steady retirement income of around thirty-five hundred US dollars a month.

Would I be able to live comfortably on this income. Nothing fancy just a nice home and reasonable amenities.

Can you help in plain English.

Thanks,

Sam

Comments for Cost of living in the Philippines

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar
How Much is Enough?
by: Brett

Hi Sam,

Yes. You can live a very comfortable life in the Philippines with $3,500.

This income bracket puts you in the upper middle class range. If you are single, just for comparison purpose, house rental is around P10k per month in a nice neighborhood. Your food expenses will be around P10k (self catering and on the high side), a used car in good condition cost from P300k to P800k depending on the year and model. Utility bills will average around P5k to P7k (with air con).

As with anywhere, costs will vary depending on lifestyle chosen. But you should not have too many problems living on $3,500 a month. Do ensure you have money put aside for emergencies, especially medical emergencies.

Nevertheless, a word of caution, please read up on our articles on dating a filipina if you intend to get married to a local girl.

...Brett

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Travel Guide Questions.

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.