Oaxaca wins overall by ~14% (COL index)
Cost of living: Oaxaca vs Cebu City (2026)
A $75,000 salary in Oaxaca buys roughly what $86,719 does in Cebu City (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$500/yr
Favoring Oaxaca for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $42/mo in Oaxaca, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Oaxaca Oaxaca | Cebu City Cebu | Who wins | Your impact at $75K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $300 | $280Better | Cebu City wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Cebu City |
| 1BR rent/mo | $400Better | $400 | — | — |
| 2BR rent/mo | $650Better | $650 | — | — |
| Median home price | — | — | — | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | — | — | — | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $5 | $3Wins | Cebu City wins −$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $22 | $12Wins | Cebu City wins −$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | — | — | — | — |
| Gas price/gal | — | — | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | — | — | — | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $45Wins | $55 | Oaxaca wins +$10/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $25Better | $25 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | — | — | — | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 16.0% | 12.0%Wins | Cebu City wins -4.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | — | — | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $25Better | $25 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | — | — | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 32Wins | 37 | Oaxaca wins +5 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 70Wins | 55 | Oaxaca wins -15 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Oaxaca fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Oaxaca.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Oaxaca cheaper than Cebu City?
Yes. Oaxaca is 14% cheaper than Cebu City based on overall cost of living indices (32 vs 37, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Oaxaca vs Cebu City?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Oaxaca is $400/month and in Cebu City is $400/month. Oaxaca is more expensive by 0%.
How much do I need to earn in Cebu City to match a $75,000 salary in Oaxaca?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $86,719/year in Cebu City to match a $75,000 salary in Oaxaca. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Oaxaca or Cebu City?
Cebu City has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Cebu City has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Oaxaca to Cebu City?
It depends on your priorities. Oaxaca offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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