Edinburgh vs Manila
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Manila is ~46% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
20.9
Groceries
49.3
Restaurant
52.2
Manila
Philippines
COL+Rent
21.8
Rent Index
9.8
Groceries
39.6
Restaurant
22.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Edinburgh | Manila | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $930 | $369 | +$561 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $728 | $238 | +$490 |
| Groceries | $282 | $230 | +$52 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $6 | +$12 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $11 | +$64 |
| Utilities | $172 | $86 | +$86 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Edinburgh | Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,244/mo | $520/mo |
| Typical | $1,729/mo | $786/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,195/mo | $977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Edinburgh | ≈ in Manila | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $811/mo | -$689 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,082/mo | -$918 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,623/mo | -$1,377 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Edinburgh vs Manila for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Manila is approximately 46% more affordable than Edinburgh when combining rent and daily living costs. Edinburgh's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Manila's 21.8 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Edinburgh costs $930/month versus $369/month in Manila — giving Manila a $561/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,732 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Edinburgh ($282/mo) vs Manila ($230/mo) reflect Manila's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $6 show Manila offers cheaper dining. 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, Manila offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $786 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.