Rewire Abroad Logo

Tacloban, Philippines
Capital City

Follows Philippines Residency Rules. Check Digital Nomad & Retiree Pathways →
Est. Monthly Cost (1 Person)
$820
Retiree Score
97.0
Safety Index
64.5
Healthcare
21 facilities

With a population of 259,353, Tacloban is the largest city in the Eastern Visayas region, but it's no easy place to live. The tax burden is heavy, bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the city has suffered repeated natural disasters, including the devastating Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 that left over 6,000 dead. Yet Tacloban remains the economic center of the region, with a focus on agriculture, commerce, and tourism that has driven a rapid recovery since the storm. For those who can handle the challenges, Tacloban may be an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a city on the rebound.

Can I afford Tacloban?

$

Tacloban

You could save

2,180/mo

Savings Rate73%

Monthly Costs

Rent $340
Living (Country Average Adjusted)$480

Attractiveness Scores

FIRE Score
(i)
73/100
Retiree Score
(i)
97/100
Lifestyle Score
(i)
50/100
💻Nomad Score
(i)
50/100
Meets Philippines Digital Nomad Visa Income Rule.
65
Safety
21
Healthcare
100
Walkability
50
Nomad

Grocery Basket

Milk (1L) $2
Bread (loaf) *$1
Eggs (12) $2
Rice (1kg) *$0
Chicken (1kg) *$2

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Eating Out

Meal (Inexpensive) *$4
Meal (Mid-range) $80
Cappuccino $2
Water (0.33L) *$0

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Utilities & Lifestyle

Utilities (mo) $112
Mobile Plan (mo) $20
Gym (mo) *$32
Cinema Ticket $6

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Housing

1BR Center (mo) $272
1BR Outside (mo) *$149
3BR Center (mo) $512
3BR Outside (mo) *$290

* Estimated based on regional averages.

🧳 Expat Life

English Proficiency
Widely Spoken
Expat Community
Very Few
Top Neighborhoods
Downtown Area
Best For
volunteers

Expat Life Notes

The heart of the Leyte region. Resilient after Typhoon Haiyan but still recovering infrastructure.

Pros

  • ✓ Friendly locals
  • ✓ Native English

Cons

  • ✗ Infrastructure gaps
  • ✗ Isolated

🌐 Infrastructure & Lifestyle

Avg Internet
—
Temperature
—
Annual Rainfall
2890 mm
Coworking Spaces
—
Best Months to Visit
May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Also Consider

Roxas, PhilippinesSan Pablo, PhilippinesAttractiveness Score: 82.8Maragogipe, BrazilLiving in Maragogipe, Brazil offers a quiet, rural lifestyle along the Paraguaçu River. Low costs and slow pace suit retirees, but limited amenities challenge dBragança Paulista, BrazilLiving in Bragança Paulista offers affordable housing and suburban calm near São Paulo. Ideal for retirees and families seeking Brazil’s lower cost of living.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Tacloban

Click any question to expand the answer.

Tacloban has a population of approximately 259,353 people.

A single person can expect to spend around $850 per month in Tacloban, including rent. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $340/month.

The nearest airport to Tacloban is CEB, approximately 152km away.

Tacloban is considered relatively safe, with a safety index of 64.5. As with any city abroad, expats should research specific neighborhoods before committing to a location.

Share This Guide