Gothenburg vs Manila
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Manila is ~41% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Manila
Philippines
COL+Rent
21.8
Rent Index
9.8
Groceries
39.6
Restaurant
22.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Manila | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $369 | +$450 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $238 | +$406 |
| Groceries | $271 | $230 | +$41 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $6 | +$8 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $11 | +$64 |
| Utilities | $82 | $86 | $4 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $520/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $786/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Manila | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $884/mo | -$616 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,178/mo | -$822 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,768/mo | -$1,232 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Manila for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Manila is approximately 41% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 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 Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $369/month in Manila — giving Manila a $450/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,400 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Manila ($230/mo) reflect Manila's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 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.