Malmö vs Manila
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Manila is ~38% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Manila
Philippines
COL+Rent
21.8
Rent Index
9.8
Groceries
39.6
Restaurant
22.8
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Malmö | Manila | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $756 | $369 | +$387 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $594 | $238 | +$356 |
| Groceries | $260 | $230 | +$30 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13 | $6 | +$7 |
| Transit Pass | $71 | $11 | +$60 |
| Utilities | $79 | $86 | $7 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Malmö | Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $978/mo | $520/mo |
| Typical | $1,361/mo | $786/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,721/mo | $977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Malmö | ≈ in Manila | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $932/mo | -$568 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,242/mo | -$758 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,863/mo | -$1,137 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Malmö vs Manila for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Manila is approximately 38% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Malmö's COL+Rent Index of 35.1 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 Malmö costs $756/month versus $369/month in Manila — giving Manila a $387/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,644 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Malmö ($260/mo) vs Manila ($230/mo) reflect Manila's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $13 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.