A clear budget before you travel
Living costs in the Philippines for students: how to work out your actual expenses
Your institute’s price alone does not tell you how much you will need each month. Separate food, transport, mobile data, laundry and activities from tuition and accommodation, then build a budget that suits your city and lifestyle.
No single figurefits every student and city
Included mealsmake a real difference to your budget
A deposit ties up cashbut is not always a final expense
Keep these costs separate:recurring expenses and arrival fees
Start with a clear definition
What do student living costs include?
Living costs are the money a student needs for daily life beyond the core items listed on the institute’s invoice. They usually include meals not covered by the package, personal transport, mobile data and internet, laundry, personal care, activities, small purchases and an emergency reserve.
This page does not automatically include programme or accommodation fees; those belong in the study budget. We also do not treat permit, student card or visa-extension fees as daily expenses, even when they are paid in pesos after arrival.
| Included in living costs | Check under study costs and fees |
|---|---|
| Meals not included | Programme fees |
| Personal transport | Accommodation fees |
| SIM card and mobile data | Registration |
| Laundry and personal care | SSP, E-Card and visa |
| Activities and leisure | Required books and seasonal fees |
| Daily purchases and emergency reserve | Pickup, if part of the institute’s offer |
Electricity, pickup and deposits may appear on the institute’s invoice. Payment in pesos does not automatically make them daily living expenses: consider the type of cost, how often it is paid and whether it is refundable.
Before entering any figures
Check what the institute’s offer includes
Written answers reduce guesswork and help you avoid budgeting twice for food or services you have already paid for.
- 01How many meals are provided on study days?
- 02Do meals differ on weekends and holidays?
- 03Are water and electricity included in accommodation?
- 04Where is internet available, and how good is the coverage?
- 05Are cleaning and laundry included?
- 06Is transport provided, and what does it cost?
- 07How much is the deposit, and when is it refunded?
- 08Which fees are paid only once?
From a realistic week to a clear monthly plan
Weekly and monthly budget formula
Start with a normal week, track what you actually spend, then use the average to plan your monthly budget. Keep recurring living expenses separate from the cash needed on arrival.
Weekly expenses
Meals not included + transport + mobile data + laundry and personal care + activities and purchases + a weekly reserve.
Living budget for your stay
Average weekly expenses × number of weeks in your stay.
Cash needed on arrival
Unpaid local fees + deposit + pickup + SIM card and initial essentials + an arrival reserve.
What really changes your spending
Eight factors that affect a student’s budget
Meal coverage
The number of meals provided on study days and weekends determines how much food you buy outside the institute.
Campus location
Being close to everyday essentials reduces travel, while a more distant campus may provide scheduled transport.
Accommodation type
On-campus accommodation may bundle services, while off-campus accommodation may charge separately for water, electricity and internet.
Travel habits
Frequent outings increase spending even when each individual journey is inexpensive.
Laundry and personal care
Check the service, how it is charged and which supplies you need to buy yourself.
Mobile data and internet
You may need mobile data for everyday use and emergencies even when Wi-Fi is available.
Activities and weekends
Set a separate limit for restaurants, trips and shopping, apart from everyday meals and your reserve.
Emergency reserve
Keep it for medicine, essential transport or an unexpected purchase, not extra entertainment.
Plan your spending habits before setting your budget
Choose your budget style
These are spending patterns, not fixed prices. You may adjust your approach after experiencing your first week.
Tighter control
A disciplined budget
- Make use of included services
- Limit and plan outings
- Set a clear cafe spending limit
- Keep the reserve for essentials
A practical balance
A balanced budget
- Institute meals with room for eating out
- An activity or a couple of outings each week
- Flexible mobile data and transport
- A separate reserve
More outings
An active lifestyle budget
- More restaurants and cafes
- Frequent transport
- Weekend trips
- A firm weekly spending limit
An A&J worked example
What do some living-cost items look like at A&J?
Figures last reviewed: 25 July 2026. Items vary by campus, programme, duration and subsequent updates.
- The Eco Campus brochure lists three meals on weekdays and two on weekends and holidays: brunch and dinner.
- Cleaning is listed twice a week, while laundry is a paid external service.
- The Main Campus fee table effective from 2 July 2025 lists a utility fee of PHP 2,500 for four weeks.
- The table lists PHP 3,000 for group pickup and PHP 3,000 as a deposit described as refundable.
- One version of the Eco Campus brochure gives an example of weekend transport to SM costing PHP 50 per person.
Classify every amount
What is recurring, paid once or potentially refundable?
| Expense type | Examples | How to budget for it |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring | Meals not included, transport, data and laundry | Include in the weekly and monthly budget |
| One-off | Pickup, initial essentials and some local fees | Include in the arrival budget |
| Refundable subject to conditions | Accommodation or institute deposit | Count as cash required, not automatically as a final expense |
| Optional | Trips, cafes, shopping and activities | Set a separate spending limit |
A fair comparison
Living costs in Cebu or Baguio?
We do not decide which city is cheaper by its name alone. For a fair comparison, use two students with the same spending habits and two offers that specify the number of meals, campus location, service fees, laundry, transport, and the duration and dates of each stay.
An institute may charge more for one item but include more services. A student who goes out frequently in a seemingly cheaper city may spend more than a disciplined student elsewhere.
A worksheet to complete
Build your living budget item by item
Use both tables as a guide: the first covers recurring expenses and the second covers arrival costs. Check the institute’s offer before assigning estimates to any item.
| Expense | Covered by the institute? | Weekly amount in PHP | Monthly amount in PHP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meals not included | ||||
| Personal transport | ||||
| Mobile service and data | ||||
| Laundry and personal care | ||||
| Activities and purchases | ||||
| Reserve | No | Not for entertainment |
| Arrival item | Amount | One-off? | Refundable? | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local fees | ||||
| Pickup | Yes | Usually not | ||
| Deposit | Yes | Subject to the policy | ||
| SIM card and initial essentials | Yes | No |
Save without compromising your studies
Eight ways to manage your spending
- Understand included meals and services before buying everyday alternatives.
- Set a weekly limit for restaurants, cafes and activities.
- Combine errands into fewer journeys.
- Do not choose the cheapest mobile service if it does not meet your safety and communication needs.
- Track your first week, then adjust the next month’s budget using actual spending.
- Keep emergency funds separate from your everyday wallet.
- Do not spend an expected deposit refund before you actually receive it.
- Compare offers by what they include, not accommodation price alone.
Avoid misleading estimates
Common mistakes
One average for the PhilippinesIt ignores the city, campus and student’s habits.
Mixing in local feesVisa and card fees are not daily expenses.
Treating a deposit as spendingIt may be refunded under the policy.
Forgetting weekendsMeal coverage and outings may differ.
Converting an old figureBoth the amount and the exchange rate can change.
Generalising from one studentOne student’s experience can illustrate the expense categories, but it cannot establish costs for everyone.
Straight answers
FAQs about living costs in the Philippines
How much does a student need each month to live in the Philippines?
There is no single reliable amount for every student. Start with the institute’s inclusions, then calculate uncovered meals, transport, mobile data, laundry, activities and a reserve for your lifestyle and city.
Are accommodation and meals part of living costs?
We do not count accommodation fees again here. We look at how included services, such as meals, water, electricity and cleaning, affect your daily spending.
Is Baguio cheaper than Cebu?
The city’s name alone is not enough to decide. Compare offers for the same duration, services and spending habits, then check food, transport and outing costs at each location.
Is the deposit part of the budget?
Yes, as cash needed on arrival. It is not automatically a final expense if it is refundable under the policy.
Do the A&J figures represent living costs across the Philippines?
No. They are a dated example from one institute in Baguio showing inclusions, local fees and cash required. They are not a market average or a guaranteed current price.
How do I convert expenses to Saudi riyals?
Add the peso amounts first, then divide by the pesos per Saudi riyal on the day you calculate. Add payment fees and allow for exchange-rate changes.
Are trips included in living costs?
Regular activities can sit within a limited leisure allowance. Major trips and sightseeing after your studies need a separate budget.
When should I review my budget?
Review it before travelling, once you receive the institute’s offer, then after your first week and whenever accommodation, meals, exchange rates or your length of stay change.
From a general figure to your own plan
Work out what you will actually pay before travelling
Start with a written offer, identify what is not included, then build a weekly budget with a clear reserve. This helps you compare cities and institutes without being misled by an incomplete figure.