Davao vs Cali
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Davao is ~16% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Davao
Philippines
COL+Rent
14
Rent Index
4.5
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
14.2
Cali
Colombia
COL+Rent
16.7
Rent Index
7.4
Groceries
26.9
Restaurant
21
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Davao | Cali | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $171 | $275 | $104 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $110 | $180 | $70 |
| Groceries | $160 | $176 | $16 |
| Restaurant Meal | $4 | $7 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $8 | $24 | $16 |
| Utilities | $60 | $38 | +$22 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Davao | Cali |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $306/mo | $393/mo |
| Typical | $459/mo | $618/mo |
| Comfortable | $577/mo | $799/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Davao | ≈ in Cali | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,789/mo | +$289 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,386/mo | +$386 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,579/mo | +$579 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Davao vs Cali for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Davao is approximately 16% more affordable than Cali when combining rent and daily living costs. Davao's COL+Rent Index of 14 vs Cali's 16.7 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Davao costs $171/month versus $275/month in Cali — giving Davao a $104/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Davao ($160/mo) vs Cali ($176/mo) reflect Cali's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $4 vs $7 show Davao is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Davao offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $459 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.