Manila vs Malmö
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Manila is ~38% 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
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Manila | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $369 | $756 | $387 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $238 | $594 | $356 |
| Groceries | $230 | $260 | $30 |
| Restaurant Meal | $6 | $13 | $7 |
| Transit Pass | $11 | $71 | $60 |
| Utilities | $86 | $79 | +$7 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Manila | Malmö |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $520/mo | $978/mo |
| Typical | $786/mo | $1,361/mo |
| Comfortable | $977/mo | $1,721/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Manila | ≈ in Malmö | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,415/mo | +$915 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,220/mo | +$1,220 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,830/mo | +$1,830 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Manila vs Malmö for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Manila is approximately 38% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Manila's COL+Rent Index of 21.8 vs Malmö's 35.1 (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 $756/month in Malmö — 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 Manila ($230/mo) vs Malmö ($260/mo) reflect Manila's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $6 vs $13 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.