Moving to Philippines from Taiwan

moving to

What to Expect

Considering a move from Taiwan to Philippines? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Taiwan to Philippines, you would find that Philippines is 33.1% cheaper than Taiwan overall. A NT$2,389,485 salary in Taiwan would need to be roughly ₱3,018,145 in Philippines to maintain the same lifestyle, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Filipino.

How Far Will Your Money Go?

A breakdown of how everyday costs differ between Taiwan and Philippines.

What does your salary buy?

NT$2,389,485 ₱3,018,145

To maintain the same standard of living in Philippines

Calculate with your salary →

How key spending categories compare

Restaurants

pay 32.4% less

Groceries

pay 30.0% less

Transportation

pay 38.6% less

Housing

pay 1.9% less

Childcare

pay 70.6% less

Entertainment and Sports

pay 33.7% less

See full cost of living breakdown
Exchange rate:1 TWD = 1.92 PHP(June 2026)

Data: MyLifeElsewhere's crowdsourced cost of living database, with prices submitted and updated by users worldwide. Exchange rates are refreshed regularly from public sources.

Cost of living by city

Cost of living varies a lot by city. Each figure is a city's overall cost of living as a percentage of New York City (the priciest, = 100%).

On average, cities in Philippines cost about 24% less than cities in Taiwan.

Compare cities head-to-head

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Philippines compared to Taiwan.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Internet accessThe World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

TW
90.0%
PH
53.0%

Taiwan performs better than Philippines across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rateThe World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

TW
3.7%
PH
2.2%
GDP per capitaThe World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

TW
$47,800
PH
$9,700

Taiwan generally does better on employment & economy, though Philippines leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancyThe World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

TW
81.2 yrs
PH
70.1 yrs
Infant mortalityThe World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

TW
4.0
PH
22.2

Taiwan performs better than Philippines across all family life metrics.

Data: Taxation Administration, Ministry of Finance, R.O.C., The World Factbook

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Taiwan and Philippines. To live, work, or study long-term in Philippines, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Philippines's immigration authority.

Taiwan passport

Taiwan passport holder visiting Philippines

Visa Free
Taiwan passport holders can enter Philippines without a visa.
Philippines passport

Philippines passport holder visiting Taiwan

Visa Free
Philippines passport holders can enter Taiwan without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Philippines than Taiwan?

On average Philippines is about 34% less expensive than Taiwan, with major cities narrowing the gap.

How much money do I need to move to Philippines?

Budget about ₱754,536 for 3 months in Philippines (based on a NT$2,389,485 comparable annual salary), then add the one-off costs: flights, shipping, a rental deposit, and visa fees.

Can I work remotely from Philippines?

From major Philippines cities the network usually holds up. Visa rules, your employer's stance on overseas employees, and tax residency in Taiwan and Philippines are what actually decide it long-term.

What language do they speak in Philippines?

The official languages in Philippines are English and Filipino. In Taiwan, the official language is Chinese.

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At a Glance

TW PH
Population23,580,712114,597,229
CurrencyNew Taiwan Dollar (NT$)Philippine Peso (₱)
LanguagesChineseEnglish, Filipino
Driving sideRightRight
Calling code+886+63
Time zones11
Emergency number110911