Bengaluru vs Manila: cost of living for digital nomads
Bengaluru, India and Manila, Philippines, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Bengaluru is about 21% cheaper than Manila for a month of nomad living ($1,025 vs $1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Bengaluru against $560 in Manila.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Bengaluru: 200 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Bengaluru wins 6 of the measured lines; Manila wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bengaluru or Manila?
Bengaluru is cheaper: about $1,025/month against $1,300/month in Manila, roughly 21% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bengaluru or Manila?
Bengaluru and Manila score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Bengaluru or Manila?
Bengaluru has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Manila.
| Line | Bengaluru | Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,025 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $400 | $560 |
| Food | $250 | $350 |
| Transport | $35 | $60 |
| Coworking | $110 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 200 | 90 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Manila with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Bengaluru September 11, 2026, Manila November 9, 2026.