Delhi vs Manila
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Delhi is ~6% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Delhi
India
COL+Rent
20.6
Rent Index
12.3
Groceries
26.2
Restaurant
20.4
Manila
Philippines
COL+Rent
21.8
Rent Index
9.8
Groceries
39.6
Restaurant
22.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Delhi | Manila | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $350 | $369 | $19 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $206 | $238 | $32 |
| Groceries | $106 | $230 | $124 |
| Restaurant Meal | $6 | $6 | $0 |
| Transit Pass | $12 | $11 | +$1 |
| Utilities | $33 | $86 | $53 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Delhi | Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $349/mo | $520/mo |
| Typical | $591/mo | $786/mo |
| Comfortable | $755/mo | $977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Delhi | ≈ in Manila | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,587/mo | +$87 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,117/mo | +$117 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,175/mo | +$175 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Delhi vs Manila for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Delhi is approximately 6% more affordable than Manila when combining rent and daily living costs. Delhi's COL+Rent Index of 20.6 vs Manila's 21.8 (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 Delhi costs $350/month versus $369/month in Manila — giving Delhi a $19/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 Delhi ($106/mo) vs Manila ($230/mo) reflect Delhi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $6 vs $6 show Delhi 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, Delhi offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $591 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.