Side-by-side city decision # Makati vs Chicago. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link MakatiPhilippines2/6 VS ChicagoUnited States3/6 $1,280Makati monthly budget $3,275Chicago monthly budget 125 MbpsMakati internet 260 MbpsChicago internet Decision summary Chicago Chicago leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Makati Speed Fastest internet Chicago Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Makati Air Cleanest air Chicago Walk Most walkable Chicago 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 2/6 Budget$1,280 Internet125 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Chicago](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/chicago.md) United States 3/6 Budget$3,275 Internet260 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 MetricMakatiChicago Total estimated budget $1,280 $3,275 1-bed center rent $720 $2,200 Coworking desk $190 $450 Local meal $4.3 $22 Cappuccino $3.5 $5.5 Gym membership $48 $75 Transport budget $70 $75 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricMakatiChicago Internet speed 125 Mbps 260 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricMakatiChicago Safety index 61/100 48/100 Air quality 48/100 72/100 Walkability 6/10 8/10 Female safety 6/10 6/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 9/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricMakatiChicago Healthcare quality Excellent Excellent English proficiency Excellent Excellent Climate type Tropical monsoon Humid continental Best time to visit Nov - Feb May - Oct 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 [Chicago](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/united-states/chicago.md) United States → ### Strengths * Fast, reliable internet and extensive coworking options * Excellent public transit and highly walkable central neighborhoods * World-class food, music, museums, and architecture * Large international, startup, and remote-worker community * Strong healthcare and major airport connections * Inclusive LGBTQ+ scene and diverse neighborhoods ### Trade-offs * High rent, taxes, and everyday costs * Long, cold, windy winters * Safety varies sharply by neighborhood * Traffic and rush-hour trains can be crowded * US visitor status generally does not authorize local employment * Healthcare is expensive without suitable insurance ### Common visa routes * Visa Waiver Program / ESTA * B-2 visitor visa * H-1B or employer-sponsored 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.