Side-by-side city decision # Makati vs San Salvador. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link MakatiPhilippines5/6 VS San SalvadorEl Salvador1/6 $1,280Makati monthly budget $1,320San Salvador monthly budget 125 MbpsMakati internet 110 MbpsSan Salvador internet Decision summary Makati Makati leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Makati Speed Fastest internet Makati Vibe Best nomad vibe Makati Safety Highest safety Makati Air Cleanest air San Salvador Walk Most walkable Makati 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 5/6 Budget$1,280 Internet125 Mbps Vibe8/10 [San Salvador](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/el-salvador/san-salvador.md) El Salvador 1/6 Budget$1,320 Internet110 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 MetricMakatiSan Salvador Total estimated budget $1,280 $1,320 1-bed center rent $720 $750 Coworking desk $190 $180 Local meal $4.3 $6.5 Cappuccino $3.5 $3.3 Gym membership $48 $35 Transport budget $70 $90 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricMakatiSan Salvador Internet speed 125 Mbps 110 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 7/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricMakatiSan Salvador Safety index 61/100 55/100 Air quality 48/100 68/100 Walkability 6/10 5/10 Female safety 6/10 5/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 5/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricMakatiSan Salvador Healthcare quality Excellent Good English proficiency Excellent Basic Climate type Tropical monsoon Tropical savanna Best time to visit Nov - Feb 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. [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 [San Salvador](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/el-salvador/san-salvador.md) El Salvador → ### Strengths * Affordable compared with many major Latin American capitals * Fast fiber internet in central and upscale neighborhoods * US dollar eliminates currency-exchange hassles * Excellent access to beaches, volcanoes, and weekend trips * Improving security environment in popular districts * Warm local hospitality and strong coffee culture ### Trade-offs * Traffic can be severe at peak commuting hours * Public transport is crowded and not ideal for most newcomers * Sidewalk quality and pedestrian infrastructure are inconsistent * English is limited outside hotels and international businesses * Heat, humidity, and wet-season downpours can be intense * Long-term visa pathways are less straightforward than tourist entry ### Common visa routes * Tourist entry up to 90 days under CA-4 rules * Temporary residence through work, investment, or family routes * Renewal or onward travel after the CA-4 regional stay 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.