Makati
Philippines
2/6
Budget$1,280
Internet125 Mbps
Vibe8/10
Side-by-side city decision
Makati vs New York City.
A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit.
MakatiPhilippines2/6
VS
New York CityUnited States4/6
$1,280Makati monthly budget
$5,682New York City monthly budget
125 MbpsMakati internet
310 MbpsNew York City internet
Decision summary
New York City
New York City leads on more of the six headline signals.
Cost
Best budget
Makati
Speed
Fastest internet
New York City
Vibe
Best nomad vibe
New York City
Safety
Highest safety
Makati
Air
Cleanest air
New York City
Walk
Most walkable
New York City
Quick read
Two cities at a glance
The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison.
New York City
United States
4/6
Budget$5,682
Internet310 Mbps
Vibe10/10
Full comparison
Compare what matters
Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner.
Monthly budget and costs
7 signalsMetricMakatiNew York City
Total estimated budget
$1,280
$5,682
1-bed center rent
$720
$4,200
Coworking desk
$190
$500
Local meal
$4.3
$22
Cappuccino
$3.5
$5.8
Gym membership
$48
$110
Transport budget
$70
$132
Work and infrastructure
2 signalsMetricMakatiNew York City
Internet speed
125 Mbps
310 Mbps
Nomad vibe
8/10
10/10
Quality of life
5 signalsMetricMakatiNew York City
Safety index
61/100
58/100
Air quality
48/100
70/100
Walkability
6/10
10/10
Female safety
6/10
7/10
LGBTQ+ friendly
7/10
10/10
Culture and climate
4 signalsMetricMakatiNew York City
Healthcare quality
Excellent
Excellent
English proficiency
Excellent
Excellent
Climate type
Tropical monsoon
Humid subtropical/continental
Best time to visit
Nov - Feb
Apr - Jun
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 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
New York City
United States
Strengths
- Exceptional public transit and walkability
- Huge professional and creative networking scene
- World-class food, culture, and entertainment
- Fast, widely available home and mobile internet
- Extensive coworking and café options
- Highly diverse and LGBTQ+-friendly community
Trade-offs
- Extremely high rent and daily living costs
- Small apartments and competitive housing market
- Crowded streets, trains, and public spaces
- Winter weather can be cold and slushy
- US healthcare is expensive without insurance
- Noise and construction are common in many areas
Common visa routes
- Visa Waiver Program / ESTA
- B-1/B-2 visitor visa
- O-1 extraordinary ability 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.