Manila vs Siargao
💰
Siargao saves you $300/month
📶
Manila has 2x faster internet
🛂
Philippines offers a digital nomad visa
💰 Cost of Living Breakdown
Monthly expenses comparison in USD
Expense
Manila
Siargao
Total Budget
$1,500/mo
$1,200/mo ✓
Rent (1BR)
$500/mo
$400/mo ✓
Coworking
$100/mo
$100/mo
Meal Out
$3
$2 ✓
Coffee
$2
$2
Siargao is $300/mo cheaper (25% savings)
💻 Remote Work Essentials
Internet, timezone, and language comparison
🇵🇭 Manila
📶 Internet100 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+8
🗣️ Englishhigh
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London3h
🇩🇪 Berlin4h
🇵🇭 Siargao
📶 Internet50 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+8
🗣️ Englishhigh
🛂 Nomad VisaNot available
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London3h
🇩🇪 Berlin4h
🌡️ Climate Comparison
Weather patterns and best times to visit
Manila
ClimateTropical Wet
Avg Temp28°C
Rainy Days231/year
Best months: February, March, January
Siargao
ClimateTropical Wet
Avg Temp27°C
Rainy Days301/year
Quarterly Temperatures
Jan
26°26°
Apr
30°27°
Jul
28°28°
Oct
27°27°
ManilaSiargao
📊 Full Comparison
Category
🇵🇭Manila
🇵🇭Siargao
💰
Monthly Budget
$1,500
$1,200
Winner📶
Internet Speed
100 Mbps
Winner50 Mbps
🛡️
Safety
3.2/5
4/5
Winner⭐
Nomad Score
3.8/10
4/10
🍽️
Food Scene
8/10
8/10
🎉
Nightlife
8/10
7/10
🚶
Walkability
6/10
Winner3/10
👥
Community
large
Winnermedium
3
Manila wins
vs
2
Siargao wins
Which City is Right for You?
Recommendations based on your nomad style
💵Budget Nomad
Siargao
$300/mo cheaper with similar quality of life
💻Developer
Manila
100 Mbps is essential for video calls & uploads
🦋Social Butterfly
Manila
Larger nomad community for networking
🛡️Safety-First
Siargao
Significantly higher safety rating
🍜Foodie
Either works
Both have great food scenes
🎉Party Person
Either works
Both have great nightlife
🇵🇭Manila
Pros
- +Extremely affordable cost of living - one of the cheapest in Asia
- +High English proficiency - easy communication everywhere
- +Vibrant nightlife scene especially in Poblacion and BGC
- +Excellent Filipino hospitality and welcoming culture
Cons
- −Heavy traffic congestion - among worst in the world
- −Air pollution and waste management issues in some areas
- −Petty crime and pickpocketing in crowded areas
- −Hot and humid climate year-round with typhoon season
🇵🇭Siargao
Pros
- +Surfing Capital of the Philippines with world-class Cloud 9 waves
- +Affordable cost of living compared to Western countries
- +Growing digital nomad community with dedicated coworking spaces
- +Stunning natural attractions from lagoons to rock pools
Cons
- −Frequent power outages disrupt work and daily life
- −Internet can be unreliable outside coworking spaces
- −Limited medical facilities for serious emergencies
- −Need scooter for transportation as walkability is low