Side-by-side city decision # León vs Makati. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link LeónMexico3 VS MakatiPhilippines3 $770León monthly budget $980Makati monthly budget 50 MbpsLeón internet 30 MbpsMakati internet Decision summary No universal winner The result is balanced. Your priorities should decide the better fit. Cost Best budget León Speed Fastest internet León Vibe Best nomad vibe Makati Safety Highest safety Makati Air Cleanest air León Walk Most walkable Makati Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [León](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/mexico/leon.md) Mexico 3/6 Budget$770 Internet50 Mbps Vibe6/10 [Makati](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/makati.md) Philippines 3/6 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 $150 $180 Local meal $5 $5 Cappuccino $2.5 $3.5 Gym membership $30 $40 Transport budget $20 $30 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 50 Mbps 30 Mbps Nomad vibe 6/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 45/100 65/100 Air quality 55/100 45/100 Walkability 6/10 7/10 Female safety 5/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 7/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Average English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Semi-arid Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Nov - Mar 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. [León](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/mexico/leon.md) Mexico → ### Strengths * Extremely affordable cost of living * Delicious local cuisine and street food * Friendly and welcoming locals * Gateway to colonial Guanajuato City * Good bus connections to other cities * Growing expat community and coworking spaces ### Trade-offs * Limited English fluency outside tourist areas * Hot and dry summers can be uncomfortable * Air pollution from industry and traffic * Safety concerns in certain neighborhoods at night * Fewer coworking options compared to CDMX * Public transport can be crowded and confusing ### Common visa routes * Tourist visa (180 days) * Temporary Resident Visa * Border runs every 6 months [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.