Side-by-side city decision # Makati vs Taipei. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link MakatiPhilippines1 VS TaipeiTaiwan5 $980Makati monthly budget $1,530Taipei monthly budget 30 MbpsMakati internet 100 MbpsTaipei internet Decision summary Taipei Taipei leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Makati Speed Fastest internet Taipei Vibe Best nomad vibe Taipei Safety Highest safety Taipei Air Cleanest air Taipei Walk Most walkable Taipei 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$980 Internet30 Mbps Vibe7/10 [Taipei](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/taiwan/taipei.md) Taiwan 5/6 Budget$1,530 Internet100 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 Total estimated budget $980 $1,530 1-bed center rent $600 $900 Coworking desk $180 $200 Local meal $5 $5 Cappuccino $3.5 $4.5 Gym membership $40 $40 Transport budget $30 $30 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals Internet speed 30 Mbps 100 Mbps Nomad vibe 7/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals Safety index 65/100 85/100 Air quality 45/100 50/100 Walkability 7/10 9/10 Female safety 6/10 8/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 7/10 7/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals Healthcare quality Average Excellent English proficiency Good Average Climate type Tropical monsoon Subtropical monsoon Best time to visit Nov - Mar Oct - 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 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) [Taipei](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/taiwan/taipei.md) Taiwan → ### Strengths * Excellent and affordable healthcare system * Extremely safe city with low crime * World-class street food and night markets * Efficient and clean MRT system * Friendly locals and a strong sense of community * Modern infrastructure with fast internet ### Trade-offs * Humid subtropical climate with frequent rain * Language barrier outside central areas * Air pollution spikes during winter inversions * Limited English signage outside Metro * Housing can be expensive near metro stations * Typhoon season from July to September ### Common visa routes * 90-day visa-free entry * Visitor visa extension (up to 180 days) * Taiwan Employment Gold Card (for highly skilled professionals) 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.