Living in Philippines: Cost of Living, Healthcare and What to Know About Living in Philippines

Living in Philippines

Last updated on Aug 20, 2023

Summary: The population of Philippines is approximately 108 million people. The largest cities in Philippines are Manila, Quezon City, Davao City, Cebu City, and Zamboanga City. Expats love living in Philippines for its friendly people, beautiful beaches, and tropical climate. Life in Philippines is often described as laid-back and relaxed. Popular foods in Philippines include adobo, sinigang, kare-kare, and lechon. The cons of living in Philippines include the high cost of living, traffic congestion, and air pollution. The average cost of living for an expat is around $1,000 to $2,000 per month. This includes rent, utilities, food, and transportation.

What do I need to know about living in Philippines?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Philippines, they said:

"I have lived on Palawan for over 20 years and that information is not up to date. We have fine hospitals unless you are looking replacements then go to Cebu. Shopping in 3 large centers plus the usual. I have never had any trouble except minor stuff. The police were good. Great place; for me at least," said one expat in Palawan Island.

"Electricity still the major issue - install a solar panel. Communication and internet is improving - StarLink is already available. Road Network is improving - new roads open and cemented," said one expat who made the move to El Nido.

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Expats interested in International Health Insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.

Expat Health Insurance in Philippines

Expats interested in International Health Insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.
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How do I meet people in Philippines?

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Expats interested in International Health Insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.

Learn More GET A QUOTE

Expats interested in International Health Insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.

Learn More GET A QUOTE

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.