Cost of Living in the Philippines 2026: Official Data
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) measures the cost of living with two tools: a survey of what families earn and spend, and a monthly price index. The 2025 family survey was published in August 2026, and the September 2026 inflation report came out on 6 October 2026. Together with the Metro Manila minimum wage that took effect on 26 September 2026, they give a current picture. Every figure below was read in those official sources on 14 October 2026. Amounts are in Philippine pesos.
Quick answer
The average Filipino family spent PhP 321.85 thousand in 2025 and earned PhP 411.35 thousand, according to the preliminary results of the PSA's family survey. In the National Capital Region the figures were PhP 460.50 thousand spent and PhP 574.37 thousand earned. Headline inflation was 7.2 percent in September 2026, up from 6.1 percent in August. The daily minimum wage in Metro Manila is ₱755.00 for non-agriculture workers.
What families spend, by region
The Family Income and Expenditure Survey reports averages per family per year. These are the regions and cities the PSA singled out in its 2025 release.
| Area | Average annual family expenditure, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Philippines | PhP 321.85 thousand |
| National Capital Region (NCR) | PhP 460.50 thousand |
| Region IV-A (CALABARZON) | PhP 417.68 thousand |
| Region III (Central Luzon) | PhP 378.94 thousand |
| Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) | PhP 224.19 thousand |
| MIMAROPA Region | PhP 220.86 thousand |
| BARMM | PhP 202.17 thousand |
| City of Makati, the highest among highly urbanized cities | PhP 606.70 thousand |
| City of Zamboanga, the lowest among highly urbanized cities | PhP 261.87 thousand |
NCR recorded the highest regional figure and BARMM the lowest. Spending rose in every region between 2023 and 2025, with CALABARZON recording the highest growth at 34.6 percent.
Where the money goes
Food and non-alcoholic beverages took the largest share of family spending in every region except one. In the National Capital Region, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels came first at 27.3 percent, ahead of food and non-alcoholic beverages at 25.7 percent. The same was true for some highly urbanized cities: food was the main component of spending in 22 out of 34 of them, and housing and utilities in the rest.
What families earn
| Area | Average annual family income, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Philippines | PhP 411.35 thousand |
| National Capital Region | PhP 574.37 thousand |
| Region IV-A (CALABARZON) | PhP 526.07 thousand |
| Region III (Central Luzon) | PhP 447.31 thousand |
| Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) | PhP 292.82 thousand |
| Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) | PhP 286.34 thousand |
| BARMM | PhP 246.05 thousand |
| City of Makati | PhP 796.99 thousand |
Only three regions were above the national average. Wages and salaries were the main source of family income in all regions except BARMM, where entrepreneurial activities came first.
Prices in 2026
The PSA's September 2026 report shows inflation higher than a year earlier, nationally and in the capital.
| Year-on-year inflation, all items | September 2025 | August 2026 | September 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines, headline | 1.7 | 6.1 | 7.2 |
| Philippines, core | 2.6 | 4.1 | 4.7 |
| National Capital Region | 2.7 | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Areas outside NCR | 1.5 | 6.6 | 7.6 |
The average inflation rate from January to September 2026 was 5.4 percent. The PSA names three groups as the top contributors to September's rate:
| Commodity group | Annual increase, September 2026 | Share of overall inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 6.7 percent | 35.8 percent |
| Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels | 8.4 percent | 24.0 percent |
| Transport | 14.6 percent | 18.3 percent |
- Rice: prices were 20.3 percent higher than a year earlier.
- Health: 5.6 percent.
- Restaurants and accommodation services: 7.0 percent.
- Education services: 1.7 percent.
- Information and communication: 0.9 percent.
The minimum wage in Metro Manila
The National Wages and Productivity Commission lists these current daily minimum wage rates for the National Capital Region, under Wage Order No. NCR-28, effective 26 September 2026:
| Sector | Baseline | Increase | Daily minimum wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-agriculture | ₱695.00 | ₱60.00 | ₱755.00 |
| Agriculture, plantation and non-plantation | ₱658.00 | ₱60.00 | ₱718.00 |
The Commission's page also carries a note that an earlier order, Wage Order No. NCR-27, is subject to continuing litigation before two regional trial courts. Minimum wages are set by regional wage boards, so check the current order for the region where you will work.
How to use these numbers
- Start from the region. Take the average annual family expenditure for the region you are moving to.
- Adjust for prices. The survey covers 2025, and headline inflation has run at 5.4 percent on average over January to September 2026.
- Expect housing to weigh more in the capital. In NCR, housing and utilities are the largest group in family spending.
- Compare with pay. Set your offer against the regional family income figure and, at the low end, the daily minimum wage.
What this page does not cover
The survey measures what families in the Philippines spend on average. It is not a price list for an expatriate lifestyle. We have not included rents by city, school fees, private healthcare prices or income tax rates, because we did not read them in an official source on the day of checking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of living in the Philippines?
The official measure is family spending. The average annual family expenditure was estimated at PhP 321.85 thousand in 2025, according to the preliminary results of the PSA's Family Income and Expenditure Survey.
How much does it cost to live in Manila?
In the National Capital Region, average annual family expenditure was PhP 460.50 thousand in 2025, the highest of any region. In the City of Makati it was PhP 606.70 thousand.
What is the average family income in the Philippines?
PhP 411.35 thousand a year in 2025. The National Capital Region had the highest regional average at PhP 574.37 thousand.
What is the inflation rate in the Philippines?
Headline inflation was 7.2 percent in September 2026, up from 6.1 percent in August 2026 and 1.7 percent in September 2025.
What is the minimum wage in Manila?
₱755.00 a day for non-agriculture workers and ₱718.00 for agriculture workers in the National Capital Region, under Wage Order No. NCR-28, effective 26 September 2026.
What do Filipino families spend most on?
Food and non-alcoholic beverages in every region except the National Capital Region, where housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels took the largest share at 27.3 percent.
Which region of the Philippines is cheapest?
BARMM recorded the lowest average annual family expenditure in 2025 at PhP 202.17 thousand, followed by the MIMAROPA Region at PhP 220.86 thousand. It also had the lowest average family income.
Official sources
- Philippine Statistics Authority — Family Income and Expenditure Survey, 2025 preliminary results (26 August 2026)
- Philippine Statistics Authority — Summary inflation report, Consumer Price Index, September 2026 (6 October 2026)
- National Wages and Productivity Commission — Current daily minimum wage rates, National Capital Region
All figures verified against the official pages above on 14 October 2026. The 2025 survey results are preliminary and are averages, so individual families spend more or less. Information, not financial advice.