Living in Davao
Philippines · tropical
Davao is a big city of roughly 1,800,000 people with both the sea and mountains close by in Philippines. The climate is tropical. It sits well off the usual tourist trail and is considered very safe. A typical month of living costs around $950. Healthcare is reasonable, and the internet is fast enough for full-time remote work. People come here for food and eating out, hiking, swimming.
Private healthcare (4/5) is clearly better than the public system (1/5): budget for insurance. Income earned abroad is generally not taxed here.
Davao at a glance: cost, climate, safety
Who tends to love living in Davao
- Making a budget stretch further
- Feeling safe day to day
- Working remotely with reliable internet
- A genuinely good food scene
- Peace, quiet and few crowds
- Raising a family
All parameters
💉 Childhood vaccines: Compulsory by law
Republic Act 10152 of 2011 makes basic infant immunisation mandatory and free.
If you skip them: Nothing in practice: the act binds parents without setting a penalty.
Exemptions: The law names none.
Source: Georgetown AMP EID, survey of national legislation, 2024
📈 Popularity & prices: Growing
Accommodation prices have moved about +22% in the last 5 years.
Estimates, for orientation only.
🔭 Where this place is heading
Today’s data. Tap a year to see where it is heading.
What to know before moving to Davao
- • Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes.
⚠️ The downsides of living in Davao
- •Malaria is present, mostly in rural areas and the wet season.
- •Rabies risk from stray dogs, think twice before petting animals.
- •Tap water isn't reliably drinkable, budget for filtered or bottled.
- •Air quality: PM2.5 averages ~18 µg/m³ (WHO guideline is 5).
- •Natural hazards to check locally: earthquakes.
Health, air (WHO PM2.5), water & crime figures are rough country-level estimates, verify for your case.
Where is Davao?
₿ Spend Bitcoin around Davao
Open the Bitcoin merchant maps for this area, cafés, shops and ATMs that accept Bitcoin.
Merchants: BTC Map, from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Events and meetups: Club Orange.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Davao, Philippines?
A typical month in Davao costs around $950, covering rent and everyday expenses for one person. It is an estimate meant for comparing places, not for budgeting exactly.
Is Davao, Philippines safe?
Arcadia rates personal safety in Davao at 4 out of 5, which is good. Natural risks worth checking: earthquakes.
What is the internet like in Davao?
Internet in Davao is rated 4 out of 5 for remote work, which is good. Starlink is available in this country.
What is the weather like in Davao?
Davao has a tropical climate. It is on the coast. Mountains are close by.
Is healthcare good in Davao?
Healthcare in Davao is rated 3 out of 5 overall, which is reasonable. Public healthcare is 1/5 and private healthcare 4/5.
How easy is it to move to Philippines?
Arcadia rates the ease of getting residency in Philippines at 4 out of 5, which is good. The place page lists the visa routes that apply and which depend on your passport.
Is Davao actually right for you?
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