Philippines · Southeast Asia · Currency: PHP
Manila has a cost of living index of 26.8, making it a very low cost city compared to New York (baseline = 100). It ranks #90 out of 113 cities tracked globally.
The local currency is PHP. A salary of $75,000 USD in New York would need to be approximately ₱1,127,598 in Manila to maintain the same purchasing power.
The approximate effective income tax rate in Philippines is 16% for a mid-range earner. Including social security and other mandatory deductions, the total deduction rate is approximately 21.4%.
Estimated monthly expense allocation for a mid-range earner living in Manila. Housing costs are based on average one-bedroom rent in the city center (₱28,050/month), with other categories adjusted for the local cost of living index.
Estimates based on a mid-range salary adjusted for Manila's COLI of 26.8 and Philippines's total deduction rate of 21.4%. Individual expenses will vary.
Estimated annual deductions for a mid-range salary of ₱1,127,598 in Manila. This shows all mandatory payroll deductions as a local employee.
Rates shown are for a local employee. Expat rates may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.
Two numbers per role: local market (verified national stats, OECD estimate, or COLI fallback — same badges as /is-my-salary-good/) and a lifestyle equivalent (NYC baseline × city COLI / 100). The equivalent is not market pay. Senior column is COLI-scaled.
| Job Title | Local market (mid) | Lifestyle equivalent (mid) | COLI senior equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | ₱807,831 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱2,706,235 COLI equivalent | ₱5,262,123 |
| Surgeon | ₱1,256,627 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱4,209,699 COLI equivalent | ₱7,517,319 |
| Dentist | ₱807,831 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱2,405,542 COLI equivalent | ₱4,510,392 |
| Pharmacist | ₱490,870 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,879,330 COLI equivalent | ₱3,006,928 |
| Nurse | ₱227,764 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱872,009 COLI equivalent | ₱1,503,464 |
| Psychologist | ₱333,791 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,277,944 COLI equivalent | ₱2,255,196 |
| Software Engineer | ₱476,845 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,277,944 COLI equivalent | ₱2,706,235 |
| DevOps Engineer | ₱532,944 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,428,291 COLI equivalent | ₱2,631,062 |
| Data Scientist | ₱532,944 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,428,291 COLI equivalent | ₱2,555,889 |
| Mechanical Engineer | ₱350,060 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,172,702 COLI equivalent | ₱2,104,849 |
| Civil Engineer | ₱323,133 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,082,494 COLI equivalent | ₱2,029,676 |
| Electrical Engineer | ₱359,036 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,202,771 COLI equivalent | ₱2,180,023 |
| Architect | ₱323,133 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,082,494 COLI equivalent | ₱1,954,503 |
| UX Designer | ₱420,745 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,127,598 COLI equivalent | ₱2,104,849 |
| Product Manager | ₱560,994 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,503,464 COLI equivalent | ₱2,856,581 |
| Project Manager | ₱359,036 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,202,771 COLI equivalent | ₱2,255,196 |
| Financial Analyst | ₱393,818 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,172,702 COLI equivalent | ₱2,180,023 |
| Accountant | ₱313,035 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱932,148 COLI equivalent | ₱1,653,810 |
| Business Analyst | ₱336,596 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,127,598 COLI equivalent | ₱2,104,849 |
| Consultant | ₱403,916 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,353,117 COLI equivalent | ₱2,706,235 |
| Investment Banker | ₱757,342 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱2,255,196 COLI equivalent | ₱5,262,123 |
| Actuary | ₱555,384 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,653,810 COLI equivalent | ₱3,006,928 |
| Lawyer | ₱392,696 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,503,464 COLI equivalent | ₱3,307,620 |
| Paralegal | ₱204,202 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱781,801 COLI equivalent | ₱1,277,944 |
| Marketing Manager | ₱323,133 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,082,494 COLI equivalent | ₱2,029,676 |
| Sales Manager | ₱359,036 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,202,771 COLI equivalent | ₱2,405,542 |
| Graphic Designer | ₱826,905 COLI estimate only — not market pay | ₱826,905 COLI equivalent | ₱1,503,464 |
| Content Writer | ₱751,732 COLI estimate only — not market pay | ₱751,732 COLI equivalent | ₱1,353,117 |
| HR Manager | ₱314,157 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,052,425 COLI equivalent | ₱1,954,503 |
| Operations Manager | ₱368,012 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,232,840 COLI equivalent | ₱2,255,196 |
| CEO / Executive | ₱987,349 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱3,307,620 COLI equivalent | ₱7,517,319 |
| Teacher | ₱188,494 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱721,663 COLI equivalent | ₱1,277,944 |
| Professor | ₱373,061 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,428,291 COLI equivalent | ₱2,706,235 |
| Research Scientist | ₱333,791 OECD / estimated · Estimated · PSA Philippines | ₱1,277,944 COLI equivalent | ₱2,330,369 |
| Pilot | ₱1,804,157 COLI estimate only — not market pay | ₱1,804,157 COLI equivalent | ₱3,758,660 |
| Chef | ₱751,732 COLI estimate only — not market pay | ₱751,732 COLI equivalent | ₱1,503,464 |
| Journalist | ₱781,801 COLI estimate only — not market pay | ₱781,801 COLI equivalent | ₱1,428,291 |
Salary ranges are estimates adjusted by Manila's COLI (26.8) relative to the New York baseline (100). Actual salaries depend on experience, company, and industry.
Understanding your take-home pay is critical when evaluating a move to Manila. With total deductions of approximately 21.4% (income tax + social security) in Philippines and average one-bedroom rent of ₱28,050/month, here is what a mid-range salary looks like:
After taxes, a mid-range earner in Manila takes home approximately ₱73,858 per month. With housing consuming roughly 36% of after-tax income, careful budgeting is essential in this very low cost city. Your purchasing power in Manila is 373% of what it would be in New York for the same nominal salary.
20 neighborhoods tracked with cost multipliers relative to the city average. This neighborhood-level data helps you understand exactly how costs vary within Manila.
| Neighborhood | Multiplier | vs City Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Makati (CBD) | 1.28x | +28% |
| BGC (Taguig) | 1.25x | +25% |
| Rockwell | 1.22x | +22% |
| Alabang | 1.10x | +10% |
| Ortigas | 1.08x | +8% |
| Greenhills | 1.05x | +5% |
| Eastwood (Quezon City) | 1.02x | +2% |
| San Juan | 0.98x | -2% |
| Mandaluyong | 0.95x | -5% |
| Pasig | 0.92x | -8% |
| Muntinlupa | 0.88x | -12% |
| Quezon City (Diliman) | 0.88x | -12% |
| Paranaque | 0.85x | -15% |
| Quezon City (Cubao) | 0.82x | -18% |
| Marikina | 0.82x | -18% |
| Manila (Ermita) | 0.78x | -22% |
| Las Piñas | 0.75x | -25% |
| Cainta | 0.75x | -25% |
| Antipolo | 0.72x | -28% |
| Valenzuela | 0.72x | -28% |
To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 USD in Manila, here's what you'd need in other cities:
| City | COLI | Equivalent Salary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 100 | $279,851 | +73% |
| London | 87.5 | £184,390 | +69% |
| Singapore | 87.7 | S$319,723 | +69% |
| Dubai | 72.4 | AED 734,011 | +63% |
| Berlin | 51.2 | €121,489 | +48% |
| Tokyo | 77.3 | ¥33,510,770 | +65% |
| Sydney | 74.5 | A$296,249 | +64% |
| Toronto | 62.3 | C$236,051 | +57% |
See detailed side-by-side comparisons of salaries, rent, taxes, and neighborhoods.
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Open Salary ConverterThe cost of living index (COLI) for Manila is 26.8, which ranks #90 out of 113 cities globally. New York is the baseline at 100.
To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 USD in New York, you would need approximately ₱1,127,598 in Manila.
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Manila is approximately ₱28,050 per month (local currency).
The approximate effective income tax rate for a mid-range earner in Philippines is approximately 16%. Including social security and other mandatory contributions, total deductions are approximately 21.4%.
The most affordable neighborhoods include Cainta, Antipolo, Valenzuela.
The most expensive neighborhoods are Makati (CBD), BGC (Taguig), Rockwell.
Our cost of living index (COLI) uses New York City as the baseline (COLI = 100). Indices are derived from multiple sources including Numbeo, Expatistan, and national statistics agencies. Exchange rates are sourced from the European Central Bank.
Tax rates represent approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages data and do not constitute tax advice. Neighborhood cost multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data. Salary ranges are modeled by adjusting global baseline figures by each city's COLI.
Last updated: 2026-08-31. Data is refreshed periodically and may not reflect very recent changes. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.
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