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Buenos Aires vs Manila

Buenos Aires and Manila cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Buenos Aires
$1,240/month · Argentina
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY 2.5 ar
Binondo skyline skyscrapers
Manila
$1,207/month · Philippines
Patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buenos Aires monthly
$1,240
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Manila monthly
$1,207
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-3%
Manila relative to Buenos Aires
Rent gap
$50
Buenos Aires costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Buenos AiresManila
  • Housing
    Housing: Buenos Aires $550, Manila $500. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Food
    Food: Buenos Aires $382, Manila $366. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Transport
    Transport: Buenos Aires $56, Manila $48. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Buenos Aires $81, Manila $121. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Buenos Aires $19, Manila $16. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Buenos Aires $101, Manila $104. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: Buenos Aires $51, Manila $52. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBuenos AiresManila
Cost
Total monthly cost1,240 USD1,207 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1919✓
Housing550 USD500 USD✓
Utilities81 USD✓121 USD
Food382 USD366 USD✓
Transport56 USD48 USD✓
Healthcare19 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle101 USD✓104 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,676 USD6,021 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate43.9%27.7%✓
Left over each month3,436 USD4,814 USD✓
Average local net salary600 USD✓450 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre550 USD500 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD1,100 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,200 USD✓3,400 USD
Quality of life
Safety48/100✓46/100
Healthcare72/100✓58/100
Air quality52/100✓34/100
Public transport74/100✓30/100
Walkability84/100✓44/100
English proficiency44/10086/100✓
Nightlife94/100✓78/100
Family friendliness70/100✓60/100
Median broadband90 Mbps120 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature18°C✓28°C
Summer high29°C✓33°C
Winter low8°C23°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓2,100 h
Annual rainfall1200 mm✓2000 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access45 min✓90 min
CurrencyARSPHP
Time zoneAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_AiresAsia/Manila

Buenos Aires and Manila cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Buenos AiresCost of living in ManilaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Buenos Aires or Manila cheaper?

Buenos Aires and Manila cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Manila compared with Buenos Aires?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,676 a month in Buenos Aires and $6,021 in Manila, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Buenos Aires or Manila?

Buenos Aires scores 48/100 on safety and 72/100 on healthcare; Manila scores 46 and 58. Buenos Aires averages 18°C against 28°C in Manila.