Side-by-side city decision # Iloilo City vs Al Ula. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link Iloilo CityPhilippines2/6 VS Al UlaSaudi Arabia3/6 $675Iloilo City monthly budget $2,160Al Ula monthly budget 85 MbpsIloilo City internet 95 MbpsAl Ula internet Decision summary Al Ula Al Ula leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Iloilo City Speed Fastest internet Al Ula Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Al Ula Air Cleanest air Al Ula Walk Most walkable Iloilo City Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Iloilo City](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/iloilo-city.md) Philippines 2/6 Budget$675 Internet85 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Al Ula](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/saudi-arabia/al-ula.md) Saudi Arabia 3/6 Budget$2,160 Internet95 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 MetricIloilo CityAl Ula Total estimated budget $675 $2,160 1-bed center rent $300 $1,200 Coworking desk $110 $350 Local meal $2.7 $9.5 Cappuccino $2.5 $5.5 Gym membership $32 $85 Transport budget $45 $280 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricIloilo CityAl Ula Internet speed 85 Mbps 95 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricIloilo CityAl Ula Safety index 68/100 82/100 Air quality 73/100 76/100 Walkability 6/10 4/10 Female safety 7/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 6/10 1/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricIloilo CityAl Ula Healthcare quality Good Average English proficiency Excellent Average Climate type Tropical monsoon Hot desert Best time to visit Dec - Apr Oct - 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. [Iloilo City](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/iloilo-city.md) Philippines → ### Strengths * Low everyday costs compared with Manila and Cebu * Friendly English-speaking local population * Strong food culture and excellent seafood * Generally relaxed pace with less traffic than major Philippine cities * Good hospitals, malls, and practical city services * Access to Guimaras beaches and regional nature trips ### Trade-offs * No dedicated Philippine digital-nomad visa * Heavy rain, humidity, and occasional storm disruptions * Internet quality varies significantly by building and neighborhood * Limited coworking and international networking scene * Walkability is uneven outside central districts * Tap water is not considered safe for drinking ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry, typically 30 days for many nationalities * Tourist visa extension through Philippine immigration offices * Special Resident Retiree's Visa for qualifying long-stay residents [Al Ula](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/saudi-arabia/al-ula.md) Saudi Arabia → ### Strengths * Exceptional access to Hegra, sandstone landscapes, and desert heritage sites * Very low violent-crime risk and generally secure streets * Fast mobile data and solid internet at major hotels and newer properties * Pleasant, sunny winter weather for outdoor work breaks * Modern cafés, restaurants, and cultural programming around Al Jadidah * Contactless payments are widely accepted ### Trade-offs * Short-term furnished rentals are limited and expensive during festival season * A car or regular ride-hailing budget is effectively necessary * There are few true coworking spaces and a small nomad community * Summer heat severely limits daytime outdoor activity * Alcohol is prohibited and nightlife is quiet * Social rules are conservative, particularly for LGBTQ+ travelers ### Common visa routes * Saudi eVisa / tourist visa * Visa on arrival for eligible nationalities * Business visa with Saudi sponsor 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.