Manila vs Santiago: cost of living for digital nomads

Manila, Philippines and Santiago, Chile, 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

  • Manila is about 28% cheaper than Santiago for a month of nomad living ($1,300 vs $1,800).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $560 in Manila against $850 in Santiago.
  • Santiago scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
  • Internet is faster in Santiago: 200 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
  • Manila is tropical; Santiago is mediterranean.

Manila wins 4 of the measured lines; Santiago wins 3.

LineManilaSantiago
Monthly total (USD)$1,300$1,800
Rent$560$850
Food$350$460
Transport$60$50
Coworking$120$140
Safety (out of 10)6/108/10
Internet (Mbps)90200
Climatetropicalmediterranean
City sizemetrometro
Settingcoastinland
Nomad score (out of 10)7/107/10

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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.