Manila vs Zamboanga

How to read the comparison chart

The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Manila leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Zamboanga where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Zamboanga's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.

Manila vs Zamboanga: the short answer

Zamboanga comes out ahead on overall livability (57/100), only marginally above Manila (55/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Zamboanga is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Manila 44 vs Zamboanga 45, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Manila runs warmer in summer (about 29.4°C peak vs 27.5°C in Zamboanga), while winter lows sit near 25.9°C in Manila and 26.5°C in Zamboanga. On natural-disaster exposure Manila is the safer choice (safety 50/100); the dominant modelled hazard is storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Manila and storms (hurricane/cyclone) for Zamboanga.

Which city should you choose?

• On a tight budget → Zamboanga — lower everyday costs..
• You want warmth → Manila — hotter summers.
• Safety is the priority → Manila — lower disaster risk.
• Best all-rounder → Zamboanga — highest overall livability.

Data & methodology

Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.

Compiled by the CityLivably data team from open public datasets (World Bank, USGS, climate normals).

FAQ

Is Manila or Zamboanga better to live in?

Zamboanga scores higher overall — 57 vs 55 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.

Which is cheaper, Manila or Zamboanga?

Zamboanga has the lower cost of living (cost index 45 vs 44; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).

Which is warmer, Manila or Zamboanga?

Manila — summer highs reach about 29.4°C versus 27.5°C in Zamboanga.

Which is safer from natural disasters, Manila or Zamboanga?

Manila (disaster-safety 50/100). Main hazard: storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Manila, storms (hurricane/cyclone) in Zamboanga.

What is the main natural-disaster risk in Manila?

storms (hurricane/cyclone) is the dominant modelled hazard for Manila on our risk index.

How is the Manila vs Zamboanga comparison calculated?

Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.