Cebu vs Oaxaca: cost of living for digital nomads
Cebu, Philippines and Oaxaca, Mexico, 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
- Cebu is about 8% cheaper than Oaxaca for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Cebu against $520 in Oaxaca.
- Oaxaca scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Cebu: 80 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Cebu is tropical; Oaxaca is temperate.
Cebu wins 4 of the measured lines; Oaxaca wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cebu or Oaxaca?
Cebu is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,200/month in Oaxaca, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Oaxaca?
Oaxaca scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Cebu.
Which has faster internet, Cebu or Oaxaca?
Cebu has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Oaxaca.
| Line | Cebu | Oaxaca |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,200 |
| Rent | $450 | $520 |
| Food | $300 | $340 |
| Transport | $50 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 50 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | island | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
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): Cebu November 4, 2026, Oaxaca November 8, 2026.