Manila vs Edinburgh
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Manila is ~46% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Manila
Philippines
COL+Rent
21.8
Rent Index
9.8
Groceries
39.6
Restaurant
22.8
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
20.9
Groceries
49.3
Restaurant
52.2
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Manila | Edinburgh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $369 | $930 | $561 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $238 | $728 | $490 |
| Groceries | $230 | $282 | $52 |
| Restaurant Meal | $6 | $18 | $12 |
| Transit Pass | $11 | $75 | $64 |
| Utilities | $86 | $172 | $86 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Manila | Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $520/mo | $1,244/mo |
| Typical | $786/mo | $1,729/mo |
| Comfortable | $977/mo | $2,195/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Manila | ≈ in Edinburgh | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,773/mo | +$1,273 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,697/mo | +$1,697 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,546/mo | +$2,546 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Manila vs Edinburgh for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Manila is approximately 46% more affordable than Edinburgh when combining rent and daily living costs. Manila's COL+Rent Index of 21.8 vs Edinburgh's 40.3 (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 Manila costs $369/month versus $930/month in Edinburgh — 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 Manila ($230/mo) vs Edinburgh ($282/mo) reflect Manila's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $6 vs $18 show Manila 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, 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.