Manila, Philippines 🇵🇭
#585
,
Nomad Score:
67%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
78%
Weight: 150
Generally affordable compared to Western cities, though prices in central areas can be higher.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
62%
Weight: 80
Affordable options exist but quality and safety vary; prime locations can be pricey.
🍎 Food & Groceries
85%
Weight: 40
Local food is inexpensive and abundant; imported goods cost more.
🚌 Transportation Cost
80%
Weight: 20
Public transport and ride-sharing are cheap, though traffic congestion affects travel time.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
70%
Weight: 15
Affordable nightlife and cultural activities, but some upscale venues are costly.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
73%
Weight: 10
Mid-range pricing; many gyms offer monthly memberships at reasonable rates.
💱 Currency Stability
65%
Weight: 30
Philippine Peso is moderately stable but subject to regional economic fluctuations.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
68%
Weight: 100
Average speeds around 25-40 Mbps; fiber available in business districts but inconsistent elsewhere.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
75%
Weight: 40
Growing number of coworking spaces in Manila, especially in Makati and BGC.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
79%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though connection quality varies.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
72%
Weight: 30
Several cafes cater to remote workers with power outlets and decent internet.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
67%
Weight: 100
Increasingly popular but less established than other Southeast Asian hubs.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90%
Weight: 25
Easy and affordable to purchase with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
60%
Weight: 30
Busy urban environment with traffic and pollution can impact balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
41%
Weight: 15
Air pollution and urban congestion are significant issues.
🧼 Cleanliness
45%
Weight: 10
Varies widely; some areas are clean, others suffer from litter and poor waste management.
🗨️ Language Barrier
89%
Weight: 30
English is widely spoken, making communication easy for most foreigners.
💨 Air Quality
38%
Weight: 15
Often poor due to traffic and industrial pollution.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
62%
Weight: 25
Some family-friendly amenities but urban challenges exist.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
65%
Weight: 20
Good private hospitals in Manila; public healthcare is less reliable.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
78%
Weight: 25
Private healthcare is affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
67%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare is good in urban centers but limited outside.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
79%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; rainy season can be intense.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
32%
Weight: 10
High risk of typhoons, flooding, and occasional earthquakes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
43%
Weight: 10
Limited green spaces in the city; some parks available but not abundant.
❄️ Air Conditioning
91%
Weight: 15
Widely available in homes, offices, and public spaces due to tropical climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
20%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate with little seasonal variation.
🔊 Noise Pollution
35%
Weight: 10
High noise levels due to traffic and urban density.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
78%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with a mix of indigenous, Spanish, and American influences.
🌃 Nightlife
74%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with many bars, clubs, and live music venues.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
50%
Weight: 15
Limited natural outdoor spaces within the city; nearby islands offer nature escapes.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
70%
Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Tagalog and other Filipino languages are available.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
73%
Weight: 10
Diverse cultural tours and local experiences accessible within and around Manila.
🎳 Indoors Fun
71%
Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and entertainment centers are plentiful.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
86%
Weight: 25
Diverse and flavorful local and international cuisine widely available.
🧠 Yoga Studios
68%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios and wellness centers, mostly in upscale districts.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
70%
Weight: 15
Good availability of gyms and fitness centers, especially in business districts.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
72%
Weight: 15
Increasing availability of health-conscious restaurants and organic markets.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
75%
Weight: 20
UTC+8 is convenient for Asia-Pacific and some European time overlaps.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
70%
Weight: 25
Growing tech and startup community with regular networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
60%
Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
65%
Weight: 20
Active freelance community but less developed than in other hubs.
🏢 Coworking Quality
74%
Weight: 30
Modern coworking spaces with good amenities in central business districts.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
68%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with increasing investment and support.
💳 Local Payment Services
71%
Weight: 10
Mobile wallets and digital payments are widely used and growing.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
62%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption with some regulatory uncertainty.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
79%
Weight: 30
Ninoy Aquino International Airport connects to many international and regional destinations.
🚇 Public Transit
45%
Weight: 20
Limited and overcrowded MRT/LRT lines; jeepneys and buses are common but chaotic.
🚶 Walkability
40%
Weight: 20
Poor walkability due to traffic, infrastructure, and safety concerns.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
83%
Weight: 15
Widely available and affordable ride-hailing apps like Grab.
🚲 Cycling
35%
Weight: 10
Limited cycling infrastructure and safety concerns.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
60%
Weight: 15
Bus and ferry services available but can be slow and unreliable.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55%
Weight: 10
Some scooter and bike rentals exist but not widespread or well-organized.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
76%
Weight: 20
Good 4G coverage in urban areas; 5G expanding but still limited.
🔒 VPN Reliability
80%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with minimal restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
65%
Weight: 15
Occasional power outages occur, but generally stable in major areas.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available but often slow and unreliable.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
77%
Weight: 40
Visa-free entry for many nationalities; visa extensions possible but bureaucratic.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates but complex regulations for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
60%
Weight: 15
Generally free but with some government restrictions and media pressures.
🏛️ Political Stability
52%
Weight: 20
Occasional political unrest and corruption concerns.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
68%
Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and can be slow.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
60%
Weight: 10
Process is bureaucratic and time-consuming but improving.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
30%
Weight: 35
No dedicated digital nomad visa as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
65%
Weight: 50
Growing infrastructure and community but still developing.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
58%
Weight: 25
Some events exist but not as frequent or large-scale as in other hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Active online groups but smaller than in top nomad cities.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
50%
Weight: 100
Safety varies by area; petty crime common, caution advised.
♀️ Female Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Generally safe for women but some areas require vigilance.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Generally welcoming to foreigners with diverse population.