Cost of Living: Makati vs Manila

Monthly Cost Comparison — Makati vs Manila (2026)

Category	Makati	Manila
Accommodation (3BR outside ÷ 3)	₹30,098	₹18,422
Food	₹10,119	₹9,341
Utilities	₹17,248	₹14,695
Transport	₹0	₹0
Total / month	₹57,465	₹42,458
Total / year	₹6,89,575	₹5,09,494

Note: Budget preset: shared 3BR outside city centre ÷ 3 people, 5 meals/week, basic utilities. Comfortable preset: 1BR city centre, daily restaurant meals, full utilities, gym.

Which City is Cheaper for Indian Students?

Manila is 26% cheaper than Makati per month — saving approximately ₹15,007 every month or ₹1,80,084 annually on a budget lifestyle.

Makati ₹57,465

Manila ₹42,458

Cost of Living in Makati vs India

Accommodation Type	Makati	India (metro avg)
1BR, city centre (full cost)	₹60,545	₹35,000
1BR, outside centre (full cost)	₹32,952	₹25,000
3BR, city centre ÷ 3 people	₹66,812	₹21,000
3BR, outside centre ÷ 3 people	₹30,098	₹15,000

Note: 3BR costs shown per person ÷ 3 occupants by default. Use the calculator to adjust the split.

Explore Each City in Detail

Full Makati Breakdown

Budget Friendly

From

₹57,464/mo

View full breakdown

Full Manila Breakdown

Budget Friendly

From

₹42,457/mo

View full breakdown

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FAQ's

Is Makati or Manila cheaper for students?

Manila is 26% cheaper than Makati per month — saving approximately ₹15,007 every month or ₹1,80,084 annually on a budget lifestyle.

How much more expensive is Makati vs Manila?

Check the monthly comparison table and the savings block for the latest difference per month and per year in INR.

Which city is better for Indian students — Makati or Manila?

That depends on your university shortlist, rent tolerance, and funding plan. This page is designed to make the living-cost tradeoff obvious.

Do these comparison totals include tuition fees for Makati or Manila?

No. The compare page covers recurring living costs only, so tuition and one-time destination expenses still need to be added separately.

What education loan do I need after using this comparison?

Use the cheaper-vs-costlier view here as your living-cost input, then combine it with tuition to estimate the total funding requirement before checking loan eligibility.

These figures are planning estimates and can vary by lifestyle, location within city, and market conditions.