Grocery Cost Comparison
Philippines v Australia
Many people say that the Philippines is much cheaper to live in, than Australia or any other Western Country.
I’ve lived in both countries, for over 2 years in each, and my experience has shown that both are actually very similar in cost, when we compare the same things.
During the last 6 months we have spent an average of $108 per week on groceries for 2 people in Australia
During the previous 6 months in the Philippines we spent an average of $79 on groceries for 2 people.
However, there was more eating out in the Philippines, and the combined weekly totals of Groceries and Eating Out came to:
$111 Australia
$ 95 Philippines
Philippines: April-Sep 2015
71,699 php on groceries = A$2,048 or A$79 pw
14,578 php in eating out = A$417 or A$16 per week
A$95 per week total
Australia: Oct 2015 – Mar 2016
$108 per week Groceries
$ 3 per week eating out
$111 per week total
FX rate used is actual net rate given in May 2016 (35.00)
An example of Australian Shopping prices today 12th May 2016
$ 2.99 12 eggs
$ 5.99 1kg Chicken Breasts Skinless
$ 2.00 2 litres Milk
$ 1.00 700 gm white bread sliced
$ 8.99 kg Boneless Pork Loin
$19.99 kg Eye Fillet
$10.99 kg Minced Lamb
$ 5.99 kg Mussels
$ 6.00 kg Cheese
Some example prices for grocery in mid 2015
Australian Price Comparison is based on similar quality products
Fresh Milk 80 peso per litre ( $2.35 ) but $1.00 in Australia
White Rice 48 peso per kg ( $1.41 ) but $2.00 in Australia
Eggs 35 peso per 12 ( $1.03 ) but $2.79 in Australia
Chicken Breast Fillet 194 peso per kg ( $5.71 ) but $8.99 in Australia
Ground Beef (Mince) 192 peso per kg ( $5.65 ) but $6.00 in Australia
Carrots 63 peso per kg ( $1.85 ) but $1.88 in Australia
Lettuce Iceberg 203 peso per kg ( $5.97 ) but $6.00 in Australia
FX rate used is actual net rate given in June 2015 (34.04)
My wife has just reminded me how we never ate decent Cheese in the Philippines, as it was so expensive. And a few other things, such as fresh milk, tender fillet steaks etc.
The eating out though is higher in Australia, with a McDonalds Chicken and Cheese burger at $2 each (70 pesos).