Davao vs London
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Davao is ~81% 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
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Davao | London | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $171 | $2,503 | $2,332 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $110 | $1,960 | $1,850 |
| Groceries | $160 | $422 | $262 |
| Restaurant Meal | $4 | $28 | $24 |
| Transit Pass | $8 | $113 | $105 |
| Utilities | $60 | $258 | $198 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Davao | London |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $306/mo | $2,738/mo |
| Typical | $459/mo | $3,716/mo |
| Comfortable | $577/mo | $4,596/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Davao | ≈ in London | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $7,811/mo | +$6,311 |
| $2,000/mo | $10,414/mo | +$8,414 |
| $3,000/mo | $15,621/mo | +$12,621 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Davao vs London for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Davao is approximately 81% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. Davao's COL+Rent Index of 14 vs London's 72.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Davao costs $171/month versus $2,503/month in London — giving Davao a $2,332/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $27,984 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Davao ($160/mo) vs London ($422/mo) reflect Davao's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $4 vs $28 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.