Is Manila (Ermita) Expensive?

Manila, Philippines

-22% vs Manila avg

Living in Manila (Ermita), Manila

Manila (Ermita) is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Manila, with a cost of living index of 20.9 — that is -22% compared to the Manila average. Ranked #16 of 20, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around ₱21,879/month, compared to a range of ₱20,196 in Valenzuela to ₱35,904 in Makati (CBD).

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Manila (Ermita), housing takes up roughly 28% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 18%, while transportation costs around 10%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately ₱875,151 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Manila (Ermita)

Salaries in Manila (Ermita) reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 20.9:

After tax and deductions of 18.9% in Philippines, take-home pay for someone earning ₱875,151 would be roughly ₱709,747/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

20.9
COLI Index
0.78x
vs City Avg
₱21,879
Est. 1BR Rent
#16
of 20 Areas
18.9%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Manila (Ermita)

Estimated annual deductions on a ₱879,358 salary in Manila (Ermita), Manila (local employee).

Income Tax
14%
SSS + PhilHealth + Pag-IBIG
5.0%
Total Deductions: 18.9%
Est. Take-Home: ₱713,051/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Manila (Ermita) would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $15,675
London GBP £13,490
Dubai AED AED 78,434

Other Neighborhoods in Manila

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Makati (CBD) 34.3 1.28x +28%
BGC (Taguig) 33.5 1.25x +25%
Rockwell 32.7 1.22x +22%
Alabang 29.5 1.10x +10%
Ortigas 28.9 1.08x +8%

View all 20 neighborhoods in Manila →

Convert Your Salary

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Manila (Ermita):

District XVI (Árpádföld), Budapest Ruczaj, Krakow Real Ibiza, Playa del Carmen Ancol, Jakarta Lasnamäe, Tallinn Balvanera, Buenos Aires

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Manila (Ermita) expensive in Manila?

Manila (Ermita) is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Manila. It costs about -22% less than the city average, ranking #16 out of 20 neighborhoods.

How does Manila (Ermita) compare to the Manila average?

The cost of living in Manila (Ermita) is well below the Manila average. With a multiplier of 0.78x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -22% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.