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Manila vs Buenos Aires

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

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

Where the gap actually is

ManilaBuenos Aires
  • Housing
    Housing: Manila $500, Buenos Aires $550. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Food
    Food: Manila $366, Buenos Aires $382. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Transport
    Transport: Manila $48, Buenos Aires $56. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Manila $121, Buenos Aires $81. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Manila $16, Buenos Aires $19. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Manila $104, Buenos Aires $101. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: Manila $52, Buenos Aires $51. 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

MetricManilaBuenos Aires
Cost
Total monthly cost1,207 USD✓1,240 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)19✓19
Housing500 USD✓550 USD
Utilities121 USD81 USD✓
Food366 USD✓382 USD
Transport48 USD✓56 USD
Healthcare16 USD✓19 USD
Lifestyle104 USD101 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,021 USD✓4,676 USD
Effective tax + social rate27.7%✓43.9%
Left over each month4,814 USD✓3,436 USD
Average local net salary450 USD600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre500 USD✓550 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD1,100 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,400 USD2,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety46/10048/100✓
Healthcare58/10072/100✓
Air quality34/10052/100✓
Public transport30/10074/100✓
Walkability44/10084/100✓
English proficiency86/100✓44/100
Nightlife78/10094/100✓
Family friendliness60/10070/100✓
Median broadband120 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C18°C✓
Summer high33°C29°C✓
Winter low23°C✓8°C
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall2000 mm1200 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access90 min45 min✓
CurrencyPHPARS
Time zoneAsia/ManilaAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_Aires

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

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Manila or Buenos Aires cheaper?

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

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

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

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

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