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comparison intelligence

Davao vs Siargao

Siargao has the stronger overall score, while Davao has the lower monthly estimate.

Siargao wins overall
near identical$100/mo gap0.2 score gap

quick decision

Who wins where?

Tighter monthly budgetDavao
Default nomad scoreSiargao
Remote-work setupDavao
Daily urban convenienceDavao
Longer-stay comfortDavao

Davao

6.8/10

$1,300/month · Philippines

MAYBE
pros
  • Low estimated monthly cost around $1,300
  • English is widely usable
  • 60 Mbps internet profile for normal work
cons
  • Walkability is limited and traffic matters
  • Not ideal for fast-internet-dependent work
  • Heat, rain, and storm disruption affect routines

Siargao

7.0/10

$1,400/month · Philippines

MAYBE
pros
  • World-class surf breaks right off the main strip
  • Thriving, social digital nomad and surf community
  • Cheap tropical living with stunning lagoons and islands nearby
cons
  • Internet outages and brownouts are common and unpredictable
  • Limited serious healthcare, medevac needed for emergencies
  • Typhoon season can shut the island down for days

cost breakdown

Where the money goes

Davao Siargao
Rent$575
$525
Food$260
$330
Transport$90
$90
Coworking$130
$155
Entertainment$155
$185
Utilities$90
$115

money / equivalent lifestyle

What your money buys

To keep roughly the same spending flexibility you get from $1,500 in Davao, you would need about $1,625 in Siargao.

Based on relative monthly cost estimates in this guide.

With $1,500/month

DavaoLeaves about $200Estimated cost: $1,300
SiargaoLeaves about $100Estimated cost: $1,400

score breakdown

Category-by-category

Davao Siargao

Money

Cost of living4.5
4.4Davao

Remote work

Internet3.5
2.8Davao

Daily life

Walkability3.4
2.8Davao
Food3.6
3.6tied

Comfort & safety

Healthcare3.4
2.3Davao
Safety3.7
3.7tied
Weather3.8
3.8tied

Lifestyle

English friendly4.2
4.6Siargao
Nightlife3.3
3.5Siargao

what changes if you move?

Relocation impact

Moving from Davao to Siargao gives you English usability and social energy for about $100 more per month, but trades off healthcare access and remote-work reliability.

Monthly spending+$100
Annual spending+$1,200
Overall scoreSlightly higher
HealthcareSignificantly worse (-1.1)
InternetWorse (-0.7)
WalkabilityWorse (-0.6)
English friendlySlightly better (+0.4)
NightlifeSlightly better (+0.2)
Biggest upgrade

English friendly

4.2 → 4.6 · +0.4

Biggest downgrade

Healthcare

3.4 → 2.3 · -1.1

Choose Davao if...

  • You want to keep monthly spending below roughly $1,500.
  • You want stronger budget room, saving about $100 per month versus Siargao.
  • Healthcare access matters for a longer stay.
  • You need a stronger remote-work connection signal.

Choose Siargao if...

  • You want the stronger overall score without a major monthly cost penalty.
  • You prefer easier day-to-day English usability.
  • You prioritize social energy and nightlife.
  • You care enough about English usability to accept weaker healthcare access.

final verdict

So, which one makes more sense?

Siargao has the stronger overall score, while Davao has the clearer budget advantage. Davao is measurably stronger on healthcare access.

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