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.

LineManilaOaxaca
Monthly total (USD)$1,300$1,200
Rent$560$520
Food$350$340
Transport$60$40
Coworking$120$100
Safety (out of 10)6/107/10
Internet (Mbps)9050
Climatetropicaltemperate
City sizemetromid
Settingcoastinland
Nomad score (out of 10)7/108/10

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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. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.