Side-by-side city decision # Davao vs Bilbao. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link DavaoPhilippines1/6 VS BilbaoSpain5/6 $745Davao monthly budget $1,938Bilbao monthly budget 90 MbpsDavao internet 280 MbpsBilbao internet Decision summary Bilbao Bilbao leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Davao Speed Fastest internet Bilbao Vibe Best nomad vibe Bilbao Safety Highest safety Bilbao Air Cleanest air Bilbao Walk Most walkable Bilbao Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Davao](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/davao.md) Philippines 1/6 Budget$745 Internet90 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Bilbao](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/bilbao.md) Spain 5/6 Budget$1,938 Internet280 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricDavaoBilbao Total estimated budget $745 $1,938 1-bed center rent $360 $1,250 Coworking desk $100 $220 Local meal $3.2 $16.5 Cappuccino $2.7 $2.2 Gym membership $32 $45 Transport budget $45 $38 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricDavaoBilbao Internet speed 90 Mbps 280 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricDavaoBilbao Safety index 69/100 76/100 Air quality 73/100 78/100 Walkability 5/10 9/10 Female safety 7/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 6/10 8/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricDavaoBilbao Healthcare quality Good Excellent English proficiency Excellent Average Climate type Tropical rainforest Oceanic Best time to visit Dec - Apr May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Davao](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/davao.md) Philippines → ### Strengths * Affordable apartments and everyday dining * English is widely spoken * Reliable fiber and strong mobile-data coverage * Less typhoon exposure than much of the Philippines * Excellent access to nature, beaches, and Mount Apo * Friendly, relaxed local atmosphere ### Trade-offs * Hot, humid weather and rain are year-round realities * Walking infrastructure is uneven outside compact central areas * Rush-hour traffic can be frustrating * Coworking choices are limited compared with Manila or Cebu * Tap water is not recommended for drinking * International flight connections often require a Manila or Cebu stop ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry with extension options * 9(a) Temporary Visitor Visa * Philippine Digital Nomad Visa, subject to current implementation rules [Bilbao](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/spain/bilbao.md) Spain → ### Strengths * Very walkable center with efficient metro, tram, and bus links * Excellent pintxos, Basque food culture, and fresh Atlantic produce * Reliable high-speed fiber internet and strong mobile coverage * High public safety and excellent Spanish healthcare access * Green hills, beaches, and hiking are close to the city * More relaxed and less tourist-saturated than Barcelona or Madrid ### Trade-offs * Frequent rain and cloudy weather can affect outdoor plans * Long-term rents have risen sharply and good flats move quickly * English is less widely spoken than in Spain's biggest expat hubs * Winters are damp, and many homes need good heating and dehumidifying * Coworking and nomad networking options are limited compared with Madrid * Airport connections often require a transfer for long-haul travel ### Common visa routes * Spain Digital Nomad Visa * Schengen short-stay visa-free or tourist stay * Spanish non-lucrative residence visa Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.