Living in the Philippines as a US Expat: Costs, Visas & Lifestyle Guide
Living in the Philippines as a US expat can significantly reduce your cost of living. Daily expenses, housing, transportation, and food are much cheaper than in the United States, which makes the country appealing for retirees, remote workers, and anyone seeking a more affordable lifestyle in Asia. Many expats save substantially while enjoying a warm climate, friendly culture, and convenient access to English-speaking services. Visa options such as the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) also provide long-term stay benefits for eligible applicants.
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Before moving, plan for your budget, visa requirements, and healthcare needs. Expenses vary by city, so research your preferred location to estimate living costs and meet any financial criteria for residency. It is also important to look into private medical coverage available across the Philippines to ensure reliable access to quality care. English is widely spoken, and the relaxed tropical environment attracts those who want a comfortable, budget-friendly life abroad with modern conveniences and strong healthcare support.
Essential Insights for US Expats in the Philippines
Before moving abroad to somewhere like the Philippines, you should be aware of the cost of living for your destination. This is the best way to compare your income or savings to your expenditures abroad. You’ll also need to prove financial stability to obtain a visa.
In this article, we will compare the average cost of living in the United States to the average cost in the Philippines. For a more accurate comparison, choose where to live and compare the costs there to your current location in the United States.
Also, check out our guide to living abroad in Asia for some additional information.
Cost of Living: Philippines vs United States
The cost of living is significantly lower in the Philippines than in the United States. The average cost of living for an individual is 72.4% lower than in the United States. For a family, the average cost of living is 68.9% lower in the Philippines than in the United States.
How We Compared Cost of Living Data
We used crowd-sourced data to compare the average cost of living in the United States to the Philippines. These comparisons are based on the average across many cities in both countries. For a more specific comparison, you need to compare your destination city to your original city.
Housing Prices Compared: Philippines vs USA
Rental prices in the Philippines are a fraction of the cost of rental prices in the United States. The average rental prices in the Philippines can be as much as 80% lower on average. Purchase prices for condos and houses are also lower despite higher interest rates.
Interest rates on a 20-year mortgage are at 7% in the Philippines, but they’re closer to 5.25% on average in the United States.
Despite the higher interest rates, the average mortgage payment for a downtown condo in the Philippines is 53.5% lower than in the USA. The mortgage payment for a home in the suburbs is 65.9% lower in the Philippines.
One-Bedroom Rental Prices in the Philippines
- One-bedroom apartments in city centers cost 84% less in the Philippines than in the United States
- Cheap one-bedroom apartments, like those in the suburbs, are 88% less expensive than in the USA
Three-Bedroom Rental Costs Across the Philippines
- Downtown three-bedroom apartments are 77% less expensive on average in the Philippines than in the United States
- Cheap downtown three-bedroom apartments, like those in the suburbs, are 84% cheaper on average in the Philippines
Food Cost Comparison: Philippines vs USA
Food costs in the Philippines are much lower than in the United States. This is true whether you’re eating out or shopping at the grocery store. This is great news for foodies and expats who love to try new foods at local restaurants.
Dining Out Costs: Philippines vs USA
The lunch menu is a great place to find savings in the Philippines. On average, the lunch menu is 79% less expensive than in the United States.
You can also enjoy dinner for two much more affordably in the Philippines. Dinner for two is 72% less costly on average than in the United States.
For those with Western-food cravings, fast food prices are also cheaper in the Philippines. You’ll find a savings of 70% on fast food meals compared to the United States.
Grocery Price Differences: Philippines vs USA
Here are some quick comparisons of the average grocery prices across both countries:
- Rice is 78% more affordable in the Philippines.
- In the Philippines, a loaf of white bread is 65% cheaper than in the United States.
- Chicken is 64.9% more affordable in the Philippines.
- In the Philippines, beef steak is 55.8% less costly on average than in the United States.
- Milk costs 63.8% more in the Philippines than in the United States.
- In the Philippines, the price of fruit is 15% to 44% less expensive on average than in the United States.
- The price of vegetables is 15% to 65% less expensive in the Philippines on average than in the United States.
Transportation Expenses: Philippines vs USA
Transportation costs in the Philippines tend to be lower on average than in the United States. The reported monthly expenditure on transportation is lower in the Philippines. It’s common to use bicycles and other means of transportation in the Philippines which reduces costs.
A monthly pass for public transportation is 82% cheaper in the Philippines than in the United States. A taxi ride is 84% less expensive on average in the Philippines. However, gasoline prices are 14% higher in the Philippines than in the United States.
Salary and Income Comparison – Philippines vs USA
Salaries in the Philippines are 91% lower on average than in the United States. The average salary in the Philippines is enough to cover half a month of average expenses. In the USA, the average salary would cover 1.9 months of average expenses.
These are averages across many cities in both countries, so actual salary differences will vary. As an expat, you may also be living on income from the USA rather than income from the Philippines.
Affordability for US Expats in the Philippines
The Philippines is not an expensive place to live if you’re earning income from the United States. This makes it a great place for digital nomads and retirees from the USA. It’s also a rapidly developing country with lots of opportunities for investment.
Salaries in the Philippines tend to be much lower than salaries in the United States, even when you factor in the lower cost of living. That can make living on a lower salary difficult, so make sure you know your expenses.
Healthcare costs in the Philippines tend to be lower than in the United States, but the quality of care is limited when you are far away from major cities like Manila. You will still want international health insurance to cover medical expenses since private hospitals tend to offer the best care.
Everyday Life in the Philippines for Americans
As an expat from the USA, you need to be aware of the customs in the Philippines. You’ll also need to adjust to the metric standards of measurement. If you know what to anticipate when you move abroad, it will make for a smoother transition.
There are many languages spoken in the Philippines. The Constitution designates Filipino and English as the official languages in the country. Filippino is a standardized dialect of Tagalog.
Cultural Differences: Philippines vs USA
An important difference between cultures in the United States and the Philippines is the respect for elders. In the Philippines, even greetings to the elderly are marked with respect. Religious faith is also valued in the Philippines.
One way respect is shown to people older than you is Mano Po. It symbolizes asking for a blessing from the elder by gently taking their hand and then raising it to your forehead.
Retirement Options for US Citizens in the Philippines
Retiring in the Philippines from the USA is a wonderful option because the Philippines offers a special visa to retirees immigrating to the Philippines. This visa is called the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa.
The SSRV offers the following benefits:
- Indefinite stay in the Philippines
- Exemption from customs on moving up to $7,000 worth of personal goods to the Philippines
- Assistance interacting with government agencies in the Philippines
- PHILHealth benefits
Steps to Move to the Philippines from the USA
To move to the Philippines from the US, you will need to make sure that you have the right visa for your move, enough money or income for your move, and international health insurance that covers you in the Philippines.
Prepare for the medical needs of your family before moving. The best hospitals will be private hospitals near Manila.
You can also protect your finances from catastrophic medical emergencies by making sure your international health insurance plan has emergency medical evacuation in case you need to be transported to Manila or another city from somewhere else.
Visa Requirements for US Citizens in the Philippines
To obtain an immigrant visa to the Philippines, you will need to gather documents, see a doctor to get a medical report, and get the correct criminal background check. Depending on how long you would like to stay in the Philippines, there are different visa options.
To move permanently to the Philippines as an American, you will need to apply for a Quota Immigrant Visa. This is for foreign nationals who would like to move to the Philippines permanently.
Required Documents for Quota Immigrant Visas:
- Birth certificate
- Valid passport
- Evidence of financial stability
- Medical exam or chest x-ray film (often requested for Tuberculosis screening)
- Evidence of citizenship in another country
- Other documents and evidence as requested
To stay in the Philippines for longer than 90 days for tourist or business reasons, you will also need to provide bona fide documentation that you are there for tourism or business.
Conclusion
The Philippines is a wonderful place to call home. The lower cost of living and advantageous SRRV program for investors and retirees make it an attractive option for expatriates. More than half of the residents in the Philippines speak English, making the transition easier.
Top this off with a private health insurance plan that will ensure your access to quality healthcare anywhere you go, inside or outside of the Philippines, and you are all set for a good time! Contact Pacific Prime insurance experts now for free quotes and plan comparison.
If you would like to compare how relocating to the Philippines compares to other countries, don’t hesitate to see our guides for Shanghai and Thailand.
Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.
Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.
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What are the options for international schools in the Philippines for expat children? How do expats typically handle banking and financial transactions in the Philippines?
The Philippines offers several top-tier international schools for expat children, such as the International School Manila, Brent International School, and Cebu International School, all of which provide globally recognized curricula like IB, American, or British. For banking, expats often open local accounts with major banks like BDO or BPI for convenience, while using international bank transfers or online services like Wise for larger transactions or maintaining overseas accounts for flexibility.
For more guidance on relocating to the Philippines and ensuring your family is covered with international health insurance, visit our Contact Us page!
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