What rent and the move cost
Monthly rent and utilities for a one-bedroom, plus the one-time cost of getting there and settling in. The move covers the visa fee, a one-way flight with three extra bags (averaged across five US airports), three weeks of temporary lodging, the apartment move-in, a starter kit for the new place and a 10% cushion.
| City size | Example cities | Rent, 1BR | Utilities | One-time move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big city | Manila | $530 | $121 | $4,583 |
| Mid-size city | Cebu City | $487 | $124 | $4,315 |
| Smaller town | Davao City | $373 | $106 | $3,717 |
Not included: groceries, transport and health insurance. Amounts in US dollars at the exchange rates in the planner’s data.
Getting in and staying
US citizens get 30 days on arrival, then can apply for extensions.
The planner has no remote-work visa for Philippines. The option it uses is a visitor entry, which isn’t permission to work or live there long term. The application fee in the planner is about $0.
Visa rules change often. Check the official immigration or consular page before you apply. Our sources page explains where these figures come from.
Signing a lease
Plan on about 3 months’ rent up front when you sign: about two months’ deposit plus one month in advance (a planning estimate; leases vary). In a mid-size city that’s about $1,461.
Language and time zone
High English proficiency (EF EPI 2025). When it’s 9 a.m. in New York, it’s 10 p.m. in Manila. Keeping full US working hours here means early mornings or late nights.
Worth knowing
Visitors can keep extending their stay (about $50 to $150 each time), but that isn’t permission to work or live there long term. Pair it with a plan for what comes next.
See where you fit
The 1-minute quiz matches your income, savings and the kind of place you want with three of these ten countries. The Expat Relocation Planner builds the full budget for Philippines with your own airport, household and savings.
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