City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Manila vs Edinburgh — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Manila
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 21.8 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Manila.
Edinburgh
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Edinburgh.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Manila | Edinburgh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $609 | $732 | $123 |
| Groceries | $461 | $249 | +$212 |
| Dining Out | $144 | $191 | $47 |
| Transportation | $22 | $66 | $44 |
| Utilities | $172 | $152 | +$20 |
| Other / Misc | $92 | $110 | $18 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Manila
$1,500
per month
Edinburgh equivalent
$2,773
per month
You'd need $2,773/mo in Edinburgh to match $1,500/mo in Manila.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Manila on $1,500/month?
Living in Manila on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$609 to rent, $461 to groceries, $144 to dining.
Can I live in Edinburgh on $1,500/month?
In Edinburgh, $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Allocations: $732 rent, $249 groceries, $191 dining.
Is Manila or Edinburgh cheaper?
Manila is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Manila 21.8 vs Edinburgh 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Manila worth in Edinburgh?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Manila equals ~$2,773/mo in Edinburgh using COL adjustment.