City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Edinburgh vs Cebu — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Edinburgh
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Edinburgh.
Cebu
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 15.5 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Cebu.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Edinburgh | Cebu | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $732 | $511 | +$221 |
| Groceries | $249 | $538 | $289 |
| Dining Out | $191 | $149 | +$42 |
| Transportation | $66 | $25 | +$41 |
| Utilities | $152 | $201 | $49 |
| Other / Misc | $110 | $76 | +$34 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Edinburgh
$1,500
per month
Cebu equivalent
$577
per month
Only $577/mo in Cebu matches $1,500/mo in Edinburgh — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Edinburgh on $1,500/month?
Living in Edinburgh on $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$732 to rent, $249 to groceries, $191 to dining.
Can I live in Cebu on $1,500/month?
In Cebu, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $511 rent, $538 groceries, $149 dining.
Is Edinburgh or Cebu cheaper?
Cebu is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Edinburgh 40.3 vs Cebu 15.5 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Edinburgh worth in Cebu?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Edinburgh equals ~$577/mo in Cebu using COL adjustment.