Jakarta vs Manila — Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data
Jakarta edges out Manila on affordability with a Cost of Living index of 36 vs 38 (US=100; affordable vs affordable). Manila scores higher on safety (null/100), and Manila wins on internet at ~—. Overall, Jakarta takes the Nomad Score crown with null/100 — best for .
* Some figures are country averages — full city-level data coming soon.Pro members get neighbourhood-level breakdowns.
Metric
Jakarta
Manila
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
US$650
US$600
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
US$420
US$400
Cost of Living (US=100)
36
38
Safety Score
—
—
Internet Speed
—
—
Nomad Score
—
—
Healthcare Score
—
—
Digital Nomad Visa
Not available
Not available
Who is each city for?
Jakarta is better for…
See the Indonesia country profileManila is better for…
See the Philippines country profileSee full city data — neighbourhood breakdowns, internet speeds & coworking scores
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