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.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Manila or Santiago?
Manila is cheaper: about $1,300/month against $1,800/month in Santiago, roughly 28% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Manila or Santiago?
Santiago scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Manila.
Which has faster internet, Manila or Santiago?
Santiago has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Manila.
| Line | Manila | Santiago |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,300 | $1,800 |
| Rent | $560 | $850 |
| Food | $350 | $460 |
| Transport | $60 | $50 |
| Coworking | $120 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 200 |
| Climate | tropical | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Manila with
Compare Santiago 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, Santiago November 5, 2026.