Manila vs Sao Paulo: cost of living for digital nomads
Manila, Philippines and Sao Paulo, Brazil, 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 19% cheaper than Sao Paulo for a month of nomad living ($1,300 vs $1,600).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $560 in Manila against $720 in Sao Paulo.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Sao Paulo: 150 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Manila is tropical; Sao Paulo is temperate.
Manila wins 4 of the measured lines; Sao Paulo wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Manila or Sao Paulo?
Manila is cheaper: about $1,300/month against $1,600/month in Sao Paulo, roughly 19% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Manila or Sao Paulo?
Manila and Sao Paulo score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Manila or Sao Paulo?
Sao Paulo has faster typical internet: 150 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Manila.
| Line | Manila | Sao Paulo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,300 | $1,600 |
| Rent | $560 | $720 |
| Food | $350 | $430 |
| Transport | $60 | $55 |
| Coworking | $120 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 150 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
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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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Manila November 9, 2026, Sao Paulo November 8, 2026.