Wondering how to find the perfect place to call home? Consider checking out the richest city in the Philippines to find the best possible condo for rent right now.
Whether you’re a busy young professional, a young couple, or an aspiring retiree, you'll want to find a condo home where you can access all the amenities for your lavish lifestyle needs.
One way to see if a place has everything you need is through its wealth. From its financial success, to its asset value, and even its cultural and environmental health, you can identify the wealth of a location and determine if it has everything you desire for your condo lifestyle today.
Discover all the ways you can enjoy a lavish lifestyle in the wealthiest condo locations in the Philippines right now. Read on to learn more about the richest cities in the country with this guide by DMCI Homes today.
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What a city’s wealth means for renters
A city’s wealth can be determined in many ways. One way is by its assets value and average yearly income, as determined by statisticians or the local Commission on Audit. Another way is by its quality of life, as determined by citizens who enjoy government services, infrastructure, educational institutions, business opportunities, and other lifestyle aspects around town.
The general consensus is that the richer the location, the better your life will be. When local businesses, institutions, and government units are able to finance their activities properly, their execution quality goes up, thus creating better living conditions for everyone - including renters and potential real estate investors.
So whether you’re looking for a place to invest in real estate or a new condo property to call home, why not start your search at the wealthiest spots across the Philippines this year?
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The 12 wealthiest cities in the Philippines
Want to discover the best and richest places to live in the Philippines today? Here’s your guide to the top 12 wealthiest places to live in the country right now.
1. Quezon City: The City of Stars
This massive Metro Manila town has held the title of richest LGU in the Philippines for two years straight, and for good reason. Quezon City (QC) is home to multiple central business districts (CBDs), IT hubs, shopping malls, historical locations, and esteemed universities, most notably the centuries-old University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila University.
You’ll find various seats of government all across this City of Stars, such as the Commission on Audit, the House of Representatives, and the Sandiganbayan. This highly populous town is full to the brim with lifestyle opportunities and also has the financial backing to support its boom - hence the presence of a lot of exciting condos for rent in QC today.
2. Makati: Business Capital of the Philippines
Only recently beaten by QC as the richest LGU in the country, Makati still boasts its heavy-hitting title of “Business Capital of the Philippines” today. Known as the main center of commerce in the country, Makati is home to numerous business districts and establishments, including hotels, business process outsourcing (BPO) industries, bars, and condominiums for rent too.
The benefits of Makati living as a young professional cannot be beat. From shopping malls and upscale restaurants to parks and recreational facilities, Makati is home to a wide range of lifestyle amenities, in addition to all its job opportunities. So if you’re looking for a place to call home at the nation’s business capital, consider checking out the units for rent in this part of the metro today.
3. Manila: Pearl of the Orient
As the old song goes, there’s “no place in the world like Manila.” This Pearl of the Orient is constantly buzzing with activity, serving as both the country’s capital and the most densely populated town in the entire world.
Manila isn’t just wealthy in the economical sense - it’s also thriving with architectural treasures, rich history, and booming tourism. Thanks to the preservation of cultural heritage sites built during the Spanish colonial era, you can visit places like Intramuros, Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church, and more in this gorgeous part of the metro today.
As someone interested in real estate, you stand to benefit from the many Manila condos available. It’s the perfect place to revel in the past and invest in your financial future right now.
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4. Pasig: The Green City of the Philippines
Next on this list of wealthiest Philippine towns is Pasig City. This highly urbanized part of Metro Manila shares its name with the Pasig River, which runs through most of the National Capital Region (NCR) and its surrounding provinces.
Pasig serves as a major commercial business district, with places like Ortigas Center and Kapitolyo keeping businesses and residents busy on a daily basis. Pasig is also rich with environmental programs, sustainability efforts, and eco-friendly practices, giving it the well-earned title of The Green City of the Philippines too.
As a busy urban center, it can be hard for drivers and commuters to get in and out of the area. The best way to spend your time going around is to choose a condo in Pasig to live in instead. That way, you can make the most of your time and enjoy the amenities of the metro’s green city today.
5. Taguig: Metro Manila's Probinsyudad
Looking to jumpstart your professional career? There’s no better or wealthier place to do it than at Metro Manila’s own Probinsyudad, Taguig. Taguig is one of the busiest cities in the country, and is home to a multitude of main offices for international brands, IT-BPO companies, embassies, and other major players in the country’s economy.
Taguig is also home to Bonifacio Global City (BGC), where you can find top-of-the-line shopping centers like Bonifacio High Street, SM Aura Premier, and more. While it’s just the fifth wealthiest entry on the list, Taguig is shaping up to be one of the best places on this guide for a condo as a young professional right now.
6. Cebu City: The Queen City of the South
Moving from Metro Manila to Mindanao, it’s time to explore the next esteemed entry on this list: Cebu, the Queen City of the South. This highly urbanized part of the Philippines boasts a rich history and serves as the country’s oldest town, with the first settlements of Spanish colonizers happening in Cebu in the 1500s.
This booming town also owes its most notable economic growth to the cleverly named “Ceboom” phenomena in the early 90s. This regional center of Central Visayas experienced a massive growth in its commerce, trade, tourism, and healthcare, making it the sixth wealthiest LGU and the wealthiest province in the country to date.
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7. Mandaue City: The Industrial Hub of Southern Philippines
If Cebu owns the title of the Queen of the South, then the neighboring area of Mandaue should certainly claim the title of the Industrial Hub of Southern Philippines. Mandaue is one of three highly urbanized cities that make up the Metro Cebu area, and is well-known for hosting around 40% of Cebu province’s export companies.
Mandaue is also home to some of the country’s biggest companies like San Miguel, Coca-Cola Bottling Corporation, and Monde Nissin. Mandaue accounts for 75% of the country's total exports in the furniture sector, making it the furniture capital of the Philippines as well. All these economic factors give Mandaue its position as one of the highest income cities in the country.
8. Mandaluyong: The Tiger City of the Philippines
Mandaluyong has spent the last few decades rapidly developing and progressing in terms of urban growth and economic advancement - hence its nickname, the Tiger City of the Philippines. This bustling NCR town sits right at the heart of the metro, with numerous malls, schools, and CBDs spread all over the area.
Mandaluyong plays host to tons of famous shopping malls, most notably SM Megamall, Shangri-la Plaza, and The Podium. It also borders the ever-busy Ortigas Center, which serves as the home for top corporate headquarters like Banco de Oro, Meralco, the Asian Development Bank, and more.
With all these exciting business and commercial opportunities available in Mandaluyong, it’s no wonder that this spot is perfect for renters looking for a condo home with a great work-life blend. So if you’re looking for a place in the metro that is rich in resources but still relatively affordable, Mandaluyong is your best bet.
9. Davao City: Crown Jewel of Mindanao
Davao may not have tall buildings or skyscrapers like the first few cities on this list, but the Crown Jewel of Mindanao is considered a rich location due to its excellent quality of life. Boasting a low crime rate, curfew for minors, and a 24-hour emergency system, Davao offers the closest taste of modern cosmopolitan living amidst a garden-like environment and forested resorts today.
Condo properties in Davao are affordable and its real estate market is huge, making it one of the top real estate locations in the country. Unlike Manila and Cebu, Davao is definitely more spacious. Not only is it one of the safest cities in the country, but its economy is also ever-developing, especially with foreign and local companies offering stable economic growth and employment opportunities to its residents.
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10. Caloocan: The Gateway to the North
Caloocan is yet another location that is quickly becoming a powerhouse among the top towns in the country. Even with its provincial feel and laidback lifestyle, this gateway to the rest of Luzon also boasts an investor-friendly environment with tons of drivers for economic development and growth today.
Caloocan makes it into the top ten of this list due to its rich range of infrastructure developments, shopping malls, supermarkets, universities, transportation projects, and sports complexes on the rise. Though it’s on the outskirts of NCR, more and more investors are expressing interest in Caloocan, leading to its growth as a great place for condo living this year.
11. Zamboanga City: Sardine Capital of the Philippines
While it no longer has a place in the top ten of this list, Zamboanga still holds a record as one of the richest spots in Mindanao today. This southern location goes by many names, for many culturally significant reasons; Zamboanga is known as the City of Flowers for its blooming Hermosa Festival, while it is also known as the Sardine Capital of the Philippines due to its huge sardine industry too.
In fact, Zamboanga’s sardine industry is a massive contributor to the area’s overall wealth. Sardine fishing accounts for about 70% of Zamboanga’s economy, and the area is home to 11 out of 12 sardine companies that provide almost 90% of the entire country's canned sardine supply.
It is with these resources and assets that the citizens of Zamboanga are able to enjoy a comfortably wealthy lifestyle today.
12. Parañaque: The Bay City
Last but certainly not least on this list is Parañaque, the dynamic Bay City of Metro Manila. Bordered by similarly wealthy cities like Makati and Taguig, Parañaque boasts tons of entertainment destinations like Solaire Resort, City of Dreams, and Okada Manila, along with historically rich sites like Baclaran Market and the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
With its mix of old sites and contemporary commercial centers, Parañaque is a great place to consider when it comes to living in the wealthiest cities in the Philippines. Whether you’re looking to invest in real estate for the casinos or the culture, you can expect to find great condos in Parañaque that meet all your urban living needs this year.
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Quick FAQs on high income cities
Think you’re better equipped to pick the best place to live in the Philippines today? Here are some quick FAQs for you to peruse before you go on your renter’s journey:
- What defines a place as wealthy in the Philippines? There are several ways for you to define a “wealthy” area in this country, and it all depends on your needs as a real estate investor or tenant. Are you looking for an environmentally rich place to live, or would you rather live in an economically driven urban landscape? These are the factors that you can consider when defining your chosen location’s relative wealth.
- Are these places suitable for foreign investors and expatriates? Yes, all the cities listed are suitable for foreign investors and expatriates. Not only are they rich in asset value, they’re also full of great real estate opportunities for foreigners and expats who want to retire in the Philippines in the near future.
- Which place offers the best work-life balance? For young folks who are still looking to pursue job opportunities, the cities with the best work-life balance are Metro Manila locations like Mandaluyong, Makati, QC, and more.
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- What are some factors to consider before moving to one of these spots? The main considerations you should think about before moving to any of these cities include factors like your chosen property’s policies, amenities, costs, move-in rules, and level of accessibility, to name a few.
- Are high income cities affordable? Even if an area has a lot of assets and is high-income, it can also be relatively affordable to move into today. Some great examples of cities like these are Caloocan, Cebu, Davao, and more.
- How do you find good condos for rent in these cities? You can find affordable real estate opportunities at the wealthiest cities in the country by contacting the experts at DMCI Homes Leasing today.
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Key takeaways
Enjoy a rich and lavish life at the condo home of your dreams today. Remember to bring these key takeaways with you as you choose the perfect property for your needs this year:
- You define what wealth means for you. Whether material assets, cultural heritage, or environmental wellbeing, only you can define what a wealthy city life means for you.
- Explore all the options across the Philippines. There are tons of rich cities all across the country, so make sure you explore all of them to find the perfect one for your needs.
- Keep in touch with top real estate experts. Still can’t decide on the perfect place for your condo lifestyle? Get in touch with the property experts at DMCI Homes for help today.
To stay up-to-date on DMCI Homes Leasing options, remember to check out our social media accounts too: Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
