Maastricht vs. Dumaguete City: Detailed 2026 Cost of Living & Quality Comparison

Maastricht boasts a significantly higher quality of life overall, scoring 85.19 on the Quality of Life Index compared to Dumaguete City's 93.18. While Dumaguete scores higher in the Purchasing Power Index (31.2) and Safety Index (65.06), Maastricht excels in the Health Care Index (70.33) and Environment Index (62.09). Dumaguete also shows a much lower Property Price to Income Ratio (32.68) than Maastricht's (10.67), indicating more affordable housing relative to income in the Dutch city. Both cities present different profiles regarding quality aspects, with Dumaguete offering higher scores in certain key areas like safety and purchasing power, while Maastricht provides superior healthcare and environmental quality.

The cost of living in Dumaguete City is substantially lower than in Maastricht, reflected in its significantly lower Cost of Living Index (31.23) versus Maastricht's 65.06. This is particularly evident in housing, where Dumaguete's average Buy Apartment Price per square meter ($723.67) is much more affordable than Maastricht's ($1,100). Transportation costs also favor Dumaguete, with a monthly public transport pass costing just $8.48 compared to Maastricht's $103.60. Utilities are cheaper in Dumaguete except for electricity, where Dumaguete's rate ($0.12/kWh) is higher than Maastricht's ($0.08/kWh). Food and drink costs are generally lower in Dumaguete, except for alcoholic beverages where Maastricht is slightly cheaper.

Dumaguete City offers significantly more affordable living expenses overall, particularly concerning housing and transportation. Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Dumaguete averages $221.50/month outside the center and $250.03/month centrally, drastically lower than comparable Maastricht apartments ($718.60 and $850.00). Groceries are also much cheaper in Dumaguete, with a loaf of bread costing $1.39 vs. $3.48 in Maastricht. While the average net salary in Dumaguete ($299.47/month) is substantially lower than in Maastricht ($3,184/month), the much lower cost of living means residents in Dumaguete retain a larger portion of their income for discretionary spending compared to those in Maastricht.

Healthcare represents another key difference, with Maastricht scoring higher on the Health Care Index (70.33) than Dumaguete's (65.06). Dumaguete's higher Pollution Index (83.03) suggests potential environmental health concerns, whereas Maastricht's lower score indicates cleaner air and a potentially healthier environment. Transportation costs vary significantly, with Dumaguete being substantially cheaper for public transit and taxis, though Maastricht's car ownership costs (including insurance averaging $1,036.00/year) are considerably higher. Dumaguete's utilities are cheaper except for electricity, and its dining out and entertainment expenses are significantly lower than in Maastricht.

The most striking difference lies in the compensation structure. Dumaguete City offers a much lower average net salary ($299.47/month) compared to Maastricht's $3,184/month. However, this lower salary is paired with a significantly lower cost of living, particularly in housing and transportation. Dumaguete's higher inflation rate (1.56%) compared to Maastricht's (0.00%) further erodes purchasing power in the Philippines city. Dumaguete's GDP per capita ($9,900) is considerably lower than Maastricht's ($54,000), reflecting the broader economic disparity between the two cities.