Side-by-side city decision # Havana vs Makati. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link HavanaCuba3 VS MakatiPhilippines1 $770Havana monthly budget $980Makati monthly budget 5 MbpsHavana internet 30 MbpsMakati internet Decision summary Havana Havana leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Havana Speed Fastest internet Makati Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Tie Air Cleanest air Havana Walk Most walkable Havana Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Havana](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cuba/havana.md) Cuba 3/6 Budget$770 Internet5 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Makati](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/makati.md) Philippines 1/6 Budget$980 Internet30 Mbps Vibe7/10 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 Total estimated budget $770 $980 1-bed center rent $400 $600 Coworking desk $120 $180 Local meal $7 $5 Cappuccino $2.5 $3.5 Gym membership $30 $40 Transport budget $20 $30 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 5 Mbps 30 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 65/100 65/100 Air quality 70/100 45/100 Walkability 8/10 7/10 Female safety 7/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 7/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Average English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Tropical monsoon Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Nov - Apr Nov - Mar 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. [Havana](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/cuba/havana.md) Cuba → ### Strengths * Rich culture and vibrant music scene * Affordable cost of living for foreigners * Beautiful colonial architecture * Friendly locals and strong community feel * Great beaches nearby * Unique vintage car experience ### Trade-offs * Very poor and expensive internet * Frequent power cuts and shortages * Dual currency confusion (CUP/USD) * Bureaucracy and slow services * Limited access to international banking * Quality of imported goods is low ### Common visa routes * Tourist card (30 days) * Extended visa (up to 90 days) * Business visa [Makati](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/makati.md) Philippines → ### Strengths * Excellent expat community and networking events * Affordable cost of living compared to Western capitals * High density of coworking spaces and cafes * Widespread English proficiency * Modern amenities with malls and restaurants * Convenient location for exploring other Asian destinations ### Trade-offs * Heavy traffic congestion during peak hours * Air quality can be poor due to pollution * Tap water is not safe to drink * Power outages occasionally occur * Typhoon season can disrupt plans * Metro Manila overall safety varies by area ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry (30 days) * Visa extension (up to 36 months) * Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) 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.