Cost of Living
#15
of 124 cities
27/100
Current value (lower is better)
#112 of 124
Asia
Manila
Philippines
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Manila compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Manila is 71% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Manila compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$14,735
-$158K (-91%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 20%
Community Insights
NewManila presents a sharp duality for software engineers. For those earning a Western salary (remote work or expat package), it offers a luxurious lifestyle in neighborhoods like BGC or Makati, characterized by modern amenities, great food, and convenience. However, the city struggles with severe infrastructure challenges, primarily traffic and pollution.
The experience is heavily dependent on where you live and who pays you. Inside the "bubbles" of the central business districts, life is comfortable and comparable to developed nations. Outside these zones, the chaotic urban environment and safety issues become immediate concerns. It is a high-reward city for the wealthy, but can be a struggle for those on local compensation.
Resident Sentiment
Expats and digital nomads living in BGC generally report high satisfaction, citing the "Western" feel, safety, and convenience as major pluses. However, they frequently mention the need to stay within their neighborhood bubble to avoid the "chaos" of greater Manila. There is a common sentiment that the traffic is a dealbreaker for long-term settlement unless one is fully remote. Returning Filipinos often express frustration with the lack of infrastructure improvements compared to neighbors like Singapore or Bangkok, despite the lower cost of living.
Rankings
Top 12%
Tax Rate
#17
of 124 cities
20%
Current value (lower is better)
Community Events
#61
of 124 cities
4 events on luma
Current value
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Manila compared to San Francisco?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Manila to maintain the same standard of living.
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