Dakar vs Manila: cost of living for digital nomads
Dakar, Senegal 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
- Dakar and Manila cost about the same per month ($1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $550 in Dakar against $560 in Manila.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Manila: 90 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Dakar is arid; Manila is tropical.
Dakar wins 3 of the measured lines; Manila wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Dakar or Manila?
Dakar and Manila cost about the same per month for a remote worker, both around $1,300.
Which city is safer, Dakar or Manila?
Dakar and Manila score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Dakar or Manila?
Manila has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Dakar.
| Line | Dakar | Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $550 | $560 |
| Food | $350 | $350 |
| Transport | $35 | $60 |
| Coworking | $90 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 90 |
| Climate | arid | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Dakar with
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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): Dakar September 11, 2026, Manila November 9, 2026.