Side-by-side city decision # Makati vs Auckland. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link MakatiPhilippines1/6 VS AucklandNew Zealand4/6 $1,280Makati monthly budget $2,130Auckland monthly budget 125 MbpsMakati internet 300 MbpsAuckland internet Decision summary Auckland Auckland leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Makati Speed Fastest internet Auckland Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Auckland Air Cleanest air Auckland Walk Most walkable Auckland Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Makati](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/makati.md) Philippines 1/6 Budget$1,280 Internet125 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Auckland](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/new-zealand/auckland.md) New Zealand 4/6 Budget$2,130 Internet300 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 MetricMakatiAuckland Total estimated budget $1,280 $2,130 1-bed center rent $720 $1,250 Coworking desk $190 $310 Local meal $4.3 $15.5 Cappuccino $3.5 $3.3 Gym membership $48 $55 Transport budget $70 $120 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricMakatiAuckland Internet speed 125 Mbps 300 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricMakatiAuckland Safety index 61/100 72/100 Air quality 48/100 82/100 Walkability 6/10 7/10 Female safety 6/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 9/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricMakatiAuckland Healthcare quality Excellent Excellent English proficiency Excellent Excellent Climate type Tropical monsoon Temperate oceanic Best time to visit Nov - Feb Nov - Apr 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. [Makati](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/philippines/makati.md) Philippines → ### Strengths * Excellent English proficiency and easy daily communication * Strong café, coworking, and corporate-business ecosystem * High-quality private hospitals and specialist care nearby * Wide choice of condos, malls, restaurants, and delivery services * Cashless payments and ride-hailing are widely available * Large international and Filipino social scene ### Trade-offs * Severe road traffic can make short trips slow * Central neighborhoods have relatively high rents * Heat, humidity, and monsoon downpours are persistent * Air quality is often poor beside major roads * Sidewalks can be uneven, blocked, or limited * Tap water is not recommended for drinking ### Common visa routes * Visa-free entry or visitor visa extension * Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension * Special Resident Retiree's Visa [Auckland](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/new-zealand/auckland.md) New Zealand → ### Strengths * Fast, reliable fibre internet and strong mobile coverage * English-speaking with an easy transition for international nomads * Excellent access to beaches, islands, hiking, and weekend road trips * Safe tap water, high-quality healthcare, and generally clean air * Inclusive social culture and strong LGBTQ+ acceptance * Convenient cashless payments and good café work culture ### Trade-offs * High rents and expensive groceries compared with much of Asia and Europe * Long distance and costly flights from major global hubs * Traffic congestion can make cross-city trips slow * Rain and rapid weather changes are common throughout the year * Public transport is improving but less comprehensive than major Asian cities * Time-zone isolation can complicate calls with Europe and North America ### Common visa routes * NZeTA or Visitor Visa * Working Holiday Visa * Accredited Employer Work 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.