Manila vs Oaxaca: cost of living for digital nomads
Manila, 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
- Oaxaca is about 8% cheaper than Manila for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $520 in Oaxaca against $560 in Manila.
- Oaxaca scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Manila: 90 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Manila is tropical; Oaxaca is temperate.
Manila wins 1 of the measured lines; Oaxaca wins 7.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Manila or Oaxaca?
Oaxaca is cheaper: about $1,200/month against $1,300/month in Manila, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Manila or Oaxaca?
Oaxaca scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Manila.
Which has faster internet, Manila or Oaxaca?
Manila has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Oaxaca.
| Line | Manila | Oaxaca |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,300 | $1,200 |
| Rent | $560 | $520 |
| Food | $350 | $340 |
| Transport | $60 | $40 |
| Coworking | $120 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 50 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
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): Manila November 9, 2026, Oaxaca November 8, 2026.