Makati
Philippines
2/6
Budget$980
Internet30 Mbps
Vibe7/10
Side-by-side city decision
Makati vs London.
A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit.
MakatiPhilippines2
VS
LondonUnited Kingdom4
$980Makati monthly budget
$3,400London monthly budget
30 MbpsMakati internet
80 MbpsLondon internet
Decision summary
London
London leads on more of the six headline signals.
Cost
Best budget
Makati
Speed
Fastest internet
London
Vibe
Best nomad vibe
London
Safety
Highest safety
Makati
Air
Cleanest air
London
Walk
Most walkable
London
Quick read
Two cities at a glance
The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison.
London
United Kingdom
4/6
Budget$3,400
Internet80 Mbps
Vibe8/10
Full comparison
Compare what matters
Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner.
Monthly budget and costs
7 signalsTotal estimated budget
$980
$3,400
1-bed center rent
$600
$2,200
Coworking desk
$180
$400
Local meal
$5
$15
Cappuccino
$3.5
$4.5
Gym membership
$40
$60
Transport budget
$30
$180
Work and infrastructure
2 signalsInternet speed
30 Mbps
80 Mbps
Nomad vibe
7/10
8/10
Quality of life
5 signalsSafety index
65/100
60/100
Air quality
45/100
65/100
Walkability
7/10
9/10
Female safety
6/10
7/10
LGBTQ+ friendly
7/10
9/10
Culture and climate
4 signalsHealthcare quality
Average
Excellent
English proficiency
Good
Excellent
Climate type
Tropical monsoon
Temperate maritime
Best time to visit
Nov - Mar
May - Sep
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
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)
London
United Kingdom
Strengths
- Excellent public transport
- World-class cultural scene
- Diverse food options
- Strong English-speaking environment
- Many coworking spaces
- Great healthcare
Trade-offs
- High cost of living
- Crowded and busy
- Variable weather
- High rent prices
- Brexit complications
- Air pollution
Common visa routes
- Standard Visitor Visa
- Youth Mobility Scheme
- Skilled Worker 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.