Roxas vs Dumaguete: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
Roxas costs roughly 4.3x less than Dumaguete. Dumaguete scores higher for retirees on healthcare and overall livability. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Dumaguete is approximately 36% less expensive than Roxas based on cost of living including rent. This makes Dumaguete a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Dumaguete has a FIRE Score of 83/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 75, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Dumaguete is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Roxas
Roxas is a cheap place to live, with a 1-bedroom in the center at $319/mo and a single adult's budget tier at $750/mo, but the average local net salary of $574/mo means most residents are not the ones renting those center apartments. The overall expat score of 82/100 and FIRE score of 84/100 look strong on paper, yet a retiree score of 57/100 and limited English proficiency suggest this is not a soft landing for everyone. Digital nomads get a workable 50 Mbps and a $22/mo internet bill, but the SEZ Remote Work Visa ties you to a PEZA zone, which is a real constraint. Come for the $3 restaurant meals and the 3 m elevation, not for the healthcare, which is only fair.
About Philippines
Retirees on fixed incomes near the $1,500/mo SRRV minimum get the best deal here: rent outside the center runs under $200 and English is widely spoken, easing daily friction. But that low cost sits against a -1.1 political stability score and only medium expat safety ratings, so this suits people who can tolerate some instability for cash savings. Bad fit: anyone needing top-tier healthcare or a guaranteed path to citizenship.
$1,950/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Dumaguete
Dumaguete is a budget expat's dream on paper, but the local salary of $282/mo versus a single person's $460/mo excluding rent means you'll need outside income or savings to live here comfortably. The $235/mo city-center one-bedroom and $4 restaurant meals are absurdly cheap, yet the $1,500/mo SRRV retirement visa income requirement is nearly triple the comfortable tier total of $580/mo, so retirees need deep pockets relative to local costs. The 75/100 safety index and good healthcare are solid, but the small expat community and 45 Mbps internet cap the appeal for digital nomads despite the 71/100 score. Skip it if you crave nightlife or career opportunities; embrace it if you want a slow, cheap, and safe base near the airport.
About Philippines
Retirees on fixed incomes near the $1,500/mo SRRV minimum get the best deal here: rent outside the center runs under $200 and English is widely spoken, easing daily friction. But that low cost sits against a -1.1 political stability score and only medium expat safety ratings, so this suits people who can tolerate some instability for cash savings. Bad fit: anyone needing top-tier healthcare or a guaranteed path to citizenship.
$2,500/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
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| Metric | Roxas | Dumaguete |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $318.8 | $235.11 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $220 | $208.28 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $520 | $426.39 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $350 | $354.27 |
| Safety Index | 70 | 75 |
| Internet Speed | 50Mbps | 45Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Roxas | Dumaguete |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $476/mo | $537/mo |
| Excluding rent | $256/mo | $329/mo |
| Rent | $220/mo | $208/mo |
| Groceries | $103/mo | $112/mo |
| Dining out | $28.00/mo | $38.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $32.00/mo | $66.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $93.00/mo | $103/mo |
| Transport | N/A | $10.00/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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Roxas vs Dumaguete -- Frequently Asked Questions
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