Blog

By MakatiApartments.com  |  Updated March 2025  |  Category: Makati Rent Guide, Apartment Prices Philippines, Living in Makati 2025

The most common question anyone asks before moving to Makati is some version of the same thing: magkano? How much? What does rent actually cost in this city?

The honest answer is that it depends on four things: the unit type you need, the barangay you want to be in, what is included in the rent, and whether the unit is furnished or bare. A bedspace in Bangkal costs ₱4,000 per month. A 2-bedroom furnished unit in Salcedo Village costs ₱50,000. Both are technically “Makati apartments.”

This article gives you the complete 2025 picture — real price ranges by unit type, real price differences by barangay, what utilities typically add to your bill, what you need to bring on move-in day, and how to figure out what you can actually afford based on your salary. We cover everything from the cheapest options in the market to the premium end, so you can find exactly where you fit.

At the bottom, you will find a comparison of all MakatiApartments.com properties by price and location — so you can see which building makes the most sense for your workplace and budget.

Quick answer for Google: A furnished studio apartment in Makati costs ₱9,995 to ₱28,000 per month in 2025, depending on location and included amenities. The most affordable furnished studio options near the Makati CBD start at ₱9,995/month at MakatiApartments.com.

What This Article Covers

1. 2025 Makati Apartment Price Ranges by Unit Type
2. Price Breakdown by Barangay — Where You Pay More and Why
3. What Is Usually Included in Makati Rent?
4. Monthly Utilities: What to Add on Top of Rent
5. Total Move-In Cost: What to Have Ready on Day One
6. Salary-to-Rent Calculator: What Can You Actually Afford?
7. Furnished vs. Unfurnished: Which Costs Less Total?
8. Studio vs. 1-Bedroom: Which Makes More Financial Sense?
9. MakatiApartments.com: Price and Location Comparison
10. Hidden Costs First-Time Renters Miss
11. Frequently Asked Questions (with Direct Answers)

1. 2025 Makati Apartment Price Ranges by Unit Type

Here is the master pricing table covering every unit type in Makati across three budget tiers. These are real market prices as of 2025, based on listings across Makati’s key barangays.

A few things this table makes clear. First, the gap between budget and premium is enormous — you can pay five times more for the same unit type in a different part of Makati. Second, furnished studios are only marginally more expensive than unfurnished ones when you factor in what furnished units include. Third, bedspace is the absolute floor — an option that works for students and fresh graduates who do not need privacy and just need a bed close to work.

The ₱9,995 starting price at MakatiApartments.com represents the genuine lower end of the furnished studio market in Makati. Below that price point, you are looking at bedspace, shared rooms, or units in poorer condition or farther from the business districts.

PRO TIP: Do not compare monthly rent without also comparing what is included. A ₱9,995 unit that includes WiFi and water is a better deal than a ₱9,000 unit where you pay both separately — often a ₱1,500 to ₱2,000 difference per month.

2. Price Breakdown by Barangay — Where You Pay More and Why

Makati has 33 barangays. Your monthly rent changes significantly depending on which one you pick. The main driver is proximity to the central business district, prestige of the address, and access to transport and commercial centers.

What this table tells you is that the most affordable, well-located barangays for Makati workers are Brgy. Sta. Cruz and Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo. Both sit within reach of the CBD and BGC respectively, both have supermarkets, eateries, and transport links, and both offer furnished studios in the ₱9,995 to ₱14,000 range.

Poblacion sits in the middle — slightly more expensive than Sta. Cruz because of its nightlife and restaurant density, but still accessible. The premium barangays (Bel-Air, San Lorenzo, Salcedo) are for high-earning professionals or company-subsidized housing.

The BGC Angle: Why Guadalupe Nuevo Is the Smart Choice

A common situation in Metro Manila is workers whose offices are in BGC (Taguig) who want to rent on the Makati side because prices are lower. Guadalupe Nuevo is the answer. The Kalayaan flyover and the pedestrian bridge connect Guadalupe directly to BGC in ten to fifteen minutes on foot or five minutes by jeepney. You get Makati-side pricing with BGC-level access.

MakatiApartments.com has two buildings in Guadalupe Nuevo — Fortview Tower and Fort Dow Place — specifically for this reason. Both start at around ₱10,000 per month for a furnished studio.

3. What Is Usually Included in Makati Apartment Rent?

“Included” varies widely in Makati rentals, and it is one of the most important things to verify before signing a lease. What sounds like a competitive rent can become expensive once you add up what the unit does not cover.

What Premium and Mid-Range Makati Rentals Typically Include

• Air conditioning unit (installed, operational)
• Basic furniture: bed frame, mattress, cabinet or wardrobe, dining table and chairs
• WiFi / internet connection — increasingly standard in managed properties
• Refrigerator and sometimes microwave
• Cable TV hookup (less common now that most tenants stream)
• 24-hour building security
• Regular hallway and common area cleaning

What Is Almost Never Included

• Electricity — you pay your own Meralco bill in virtually all Makati rentals
• Cooking gas (LPG) — if the unit has a gas stove, this is a separate expense
• Parking — almost always separate, ranging from ₱1,500 to ₱5,000/month for a slot
• Personal laundry — most buildings have a coin laundry or you pay a laundry service

What MakatiApartments.com Units Include

All units managed by MakatiApartments.com are fully furnished. Standard inclusions are: air conditioning, high-speed internet, flat-screen TV, fully equipped kitchen, and modern bathroom. Weekly cleaning services and 24-hour security are standard across all buildings. Water is often included; electricity is billed separately. Always confirm the specific inclusions for the unit you are viewing.

Rule of thumb: When comparing two apartments, take the monthly rent and add your estimated electricity, water, and internet separately to each. Then compare. The total cost — not the headline rent — is the number that matters.

4. Monthly Utilities: What to Add on Top of Rent

Electricity is the biggest variable in your monthly Makati housing cost. It depends almost entirely on how much you use the air conditioner, how energy-efficient the AC unit is, and whether the unit uses a direct Meralco meter or a sub-meter.

The Sub-Meter Question

Some Makati buildings use sub-metering — the landlord has one large Meralco meter and bills tenants individually based on their unit’s consumption plus a small markup. This is legal under Philippine law, but the per-kilowatt-hour rate can be slightly higher than what you would pay on a direct Meralco account.

Before signing, ask: Does this unit use a direct Meralco meter in my name, or a sub-meter? If it is a sub-meter, what is the per-kWh rate? Compare that to the current Meralco residential rate (around ₱12 to ₱14 per kWh in Metro Manila). A sub-meter rate of ₱15 to ₱16 per kWh is high but within typical range. Anything above ₱18 is worth negotiating.

Realistic Total Monthly Cost Examples

To give you a concrete picture, here is what a typical month looks like for a furnished studio tenant in Makati:

• Rent: ₱10,000
• Electricity (AC used 8 hrs/day): ₱1,200 – ₱1,800
• Water (if not included in rent): ₱300 – ₱500
• Internet (if not included in rent): ₱999 – ₱1,299
• Total housing cost per month: ₱12,500 – ₱13,600

For a unit where water and WiFi are included in the ₱10,000 rent, the same tenant pays around ₱11,200 to ₱11,800 total. That ₱1,200 to ₱1,800 difference is exactly why asking what is included before comparing rents matters.

5. Total Move-In Cost: What to Have Ready on Day One

Monthly rent is not what you bring on move-in day. On move-in day, you bring the deposit, the advance, and often the first month’s rent — all at once. For first-time renters from the province or fresh graduates starting a new job, this is the number that actually requires the most preparation.

WATCH OUT: Never sign a lease without having the full move-in amount in cash or confirmed bank transfer. A landlord cannot hold a unit for you on a verbal promise. The person who brings the money first typically gets the unit.

How Deposits Work in the Philippines

The security deposit is held by the landlord for the duration of your lease. When you move out, the landlord inspects the unit and deducts any legitimate damage costs from the deposit. The remainder — which should be most or all of it if you treated the unit well — is returned to you within 30 to 60 days of move-out.

The advance rent is typically either applied to your last month’s rent or held separately. Some landlords use it as the last month; others return it separately at the end of the lease. Your lease contract should specify exactly how this works.

The consumer protection principle here: document the condition of the unit on move-in day with photos and video shared to the landlord via Messenger or email. This creates a timestamped record that protects you from being charged for damage that was already there when you arrived.

6. Salary-to-Rent Calculator: What Can You Actually Afford?

The standard financial guideline is to spend no more than 30 percent of your take-home pay on rent. In practice, many young professionals in Metro Manila push this to 35 percent when living alone in a well-located unit, because the commute savings and time savings justify it.

The table above uses take-home pay — your actual monthly income after SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and withholding tax deductions. For a ₱25,000 gross monthly salary, take-home is typically around ₱21,000 to ₱23,000 depending on your tax bracket and deductions.

The Co-Sharing Option for Lower Salaries

For workers earning ₱18,000 to ₱24,000, a furnished studio at ₱9,995 to ₱12,000 per month represents 40 to 65 percent of take-home pay — too high to sustain comfortably. The practical solution is co-sharing: two people splitting one studio or one-bedroom apartment, cutting the rent burden per person to 20 to 30 percent of individual income.

This works well for colleagues who trust each other, friends relocating to Makati at the same time, or couples. Before co-sharing, confirm with the property manager that the building permits two occupants in the unit size you are renting — some studios in older buildings have single-occupancy rules.

PRO TIP: If you are co-sharing with a colleague or friend, both names should be on the lease contract. This protects both parties — you are both legally responsible for the rent and both protected by the lease terms.

7. Furnished vs. Unfurnished: Which Costs Less Total?

First-time renters sometimes gravitate toward unfurnished units because the monthly rent is lower. This logic falls apart when you calculate the actual setup cost.

The True Cost of Unfurnished

An unfurnished studio in Makati at ₱8,500 per month sounds cheaper than a furnished one at ₱9,995. But to make the unfurnished unit livable, you typically need:

• Bed frame and mattress: ₱8,000 – ₱15,000
• Wardrobe or cabinet: ₱3,000 – ₱8,000
• Dining table and chairs: ₱3,000 – ₱7,000
• Refrigerator: ₱8,000 – ₱18,000
• Air conditioner (if not built-in): ₱15,000 – ₱30,000 + installation
• Microwave or rice cooker: ₱2,000 – ₱5,000
• Curtains, storage, small items: ₱2,000 – ₱5,000

Total estimated setup cost for an unfurnished unit: ₱41,000 to ₱88,000 for basics. That is on top of your deposit and advance.

Now compare: a furnished unit at ₱9,995 versus an unfurnished unit at ₱8,500. The monthly difference is ₱1,495. To break even on the furniture investment at ₱41,000 minimum, you would need to stay in the unfurnished unit for 27 months — more than two years — before the monthly savings offset the setup cost. And at the end of that lease, you have to move all that furniture out.

For most renters in Makati — especially those on their first job or still testing whether the city is right for them — furnished is the financially rational choice.

When Unfurnished Makes Sense

• You already own furniture and are moving from elsewhere in Metro Manila
• You are committing to a multi-year stay and want to personalize your space
• You are co-sharing with someone who also brings furniture and you can split the setup cost

8. Studio vs. 1-Bedroom: Which Makes More Financial Sense?

The price difference between a studio and a 1-bedroom in the same building is typically ₱3,000 to ₱6,000 per month. That is ₱36,000 to ₱72,000 per year for a separate bedroom. Whether that is worth it depends on your situation.

Studio Makes Sense If:

• You live alone and work long hours — you will mainly sleep and eat in the unit
• Budget is the primary concern and the ₱3,000 to ₱6,000 monthly difference matters significantly
• You are on a short lease (6 months) while testing whether to stay in Makati long-term
• You are a student or fresh graduate for whom a private space at all is already an upgrade

1-Bedroom Makes Sense If:

• You work from home — a separate bedroom gives you a dedicated workspace and sleeping area
• You are in a couple or occasionally have family visiting from the province
• You value real sleep quality and need the bedroom door closed to decompress from city noise
• You are co-sharing with one other person — a 1-bedroom split two ways is often cheaper per person than two separate studios

For most solo workers in their first year in Makati, a well-located furnished studio is the right starting point. Upgrade to a 1-bedroom when your income grows and you know the city well enough to pick the right building for a longer commitment.

9. MakatiApartments.com: Price and Location Comparison

MakatiApartments.com manages eight buildings across Makati’s key residential and commercial barangays. Every property is fully furnished, flood-free, and professionally maintained. Here is the complete comparison:

A few things to note from this table. All studios start at ₱9,995 per month — this is a genuine, sustained price, not a promotional teaser. The buildings span four distinct barangays, which means you can pick the one closest to your office or school without having to compare across different property managers.

How to Pick the Right Building for Your Situation

• You work in Makati CBD (Ayala Ave, EDSA-Ayala, Buendia): Roma Plaza, Osmena Manor, or Trixie Tower
• You work at RCBC Plaza, Makati Med, or Pasong Tamo corridor: Macy Mansion or Tim Building
• You work near Greenbelt, Makati Cinema Square, or need SLEX access: TRP Building
• You work in BGC (Taguig) and want Makati-side pricing: Fortview Tower or Fort Dow Place
• You want to be near nightlife, restaurants, and Rockwell: Roma Plaza or Osmena Manor in Poblacion

All buildings are available for short-term and long-term leases. Inquire via Messenger at the MakatiApartments.com Facebook page, call 0998-595-2341, or email info@MakatiApartments.com. Response time is typically under five minutes on Messenger during business hours.

10. Hidden Costs First-Time Renters Miss

The quoted rent and the actual monthly housing cost are rarely the same number. Here are the costs that catch first-timers off guard.

Penalty Fees in the Lease Contract

Most Makati lease contracts include financial penalties for late payment, early termination, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Late payment penalties are typically ₱500 to ₱2,000 per month depending on the contract. Early termination penalties are usually one to two months’ rent. Read these clauses before you sign — not after you need to use them.

Garbage Collection Fees

Some buildings charge a separate monthly garbage collection fee of ₱100 to ₱300. It is small but worth confirming. Ask your property manager if this is included in rent or billed separately.

Elevator and Common Area Assessments

In older condo buildings or units governed by a homeowners’ association, there may be quarterly or annual special assessments for building maintenance, elevator repair, or roof replacement. These are charged to the unit owner but sometimes passed to tenants in the lease terms. Check whether your lease includes any pass-through of these costs.

Pest Control

In professionally managed buildings, pest control is the building’s responsibility. In private rental arrangements, this is sometimes charged to the tenant. If you see cockroaches or signs of infestation during your unit inspection, raise this before signing — not after.

Overdue Bills Left by the Previous Tenant

Rare, but it happens: a previous tenant leaves an unpaid electricity or water balance. If the utility is in the building’s name, the landlord may try to offset this against your deposit. Always ask for a clean utility statement for the unit before move-in and get confirmation in writing that no outstanding balance exists.

Parking

If you own a vehicle, parking in Makati is a real expense. Building parking slots cost ₱1,500 to ₱5,000 per month depending on the building and whether it is indoor or outdoor. Street parking is increasingly restricted in Makati’s commercial barangays. Factor this in from the beginning.

WATCH OUT: Always read the full lease contract — not just the monthly rent and deposit figures. The penalty clauses, utility terms, and early termination provisions are where surprised tenants find unexpected costs six months after moving in.

11. Frequently Asked Questions (2025)

These are the exact questions people search when looking for Makati apartment pricing. We answer them directly.

How much should I budget for my first month in Makati?

Budget ₱35,000 to ₱70,000 for the full move-in cost — covering first month’s rent, one to two months’ security deposit, advance rent, moving costs, initial groceries, and a small emergency buffer. The lower end assumes a studio at ₱9,995 with minimal moving costs. The higher end includes more comfortable buffer and a mid-range unit.

Is ₱15,000 enough to rent in Makati?

₱15,000 per month is workable for a studio in Makati if you are renting at the lower end of the market. MakatiApartments.com studios start at ₱9,995 — leaving ₱5,000 per month for utilities and savings. If your ₱15,000 is your entire take-home pay, a co-shared arrangement is more financially sustainable.

Do Makati apartments allow pets?

Most managed buildings in Makati have no-pet policies, particularly for studios and 1-bedroom units where space is limited. Some buildings allow small pets (cats, small dogs) with a pet deposit. Always confirm the pet policy before signing — violating it is grounds for eviction in most contracts.

Can foreigners rent an apartment in Makati?

Yes. Foreign nationals can rent apartments in the Philippines with a valid passport, visa documentation showing legal stay, and proof of income or financial capacity (bank statement or employer letter). The lease process is the same as for Filipino residents. Some landlords charge a slightly higher deposit from foreign tenants — this is not legally required but is a negotiable point.

What is the typical lease term for Makati apartments?

Most Makati apartments offer six-month or twelve-month leases. Some managed properties, including MakatiApartments.com, accommodate shorter terms for workers on probationary contracts or those testing a new city. Month-to-month arrangements are possible but typically cost slightly more per month than a committed six or twelve-month lease.

How do I know if a Makati apartment price is fair?

Compare the total package — rent plus utilities, factoring in what is included. A ₱12,000 unit that includes WiFi and water competes directly with a ₱10,000 unit where you pay both separately (adding ₱1,500 to ₱2,000/month). Cross-reference against the barangay price table in Section 2 of this article. If a furnished studio in Sta. Cruz is being quoted at ₱20,000, that is above market rate for that area.

Are there apartments in Makati for short-term stays — less than 6 months?

Yes. MakatiApartments.com accommodates short-term arrangements, which is particularly useful for workers on probationary employment, contract workers, or people relocating to Makati and not yet certain which neighborhood they want to commit to long-term. Rates may be slightly higher per month than long-term lease rates. Inquire directly to confirm current availability.

What is the best time of year to look for a Makati apartment?

January to March tends to have more available units as many workers finalize transfers and end-of-year contracts. June to July — start of the school year — sees high demand from students, driving up competition. October to December is generally slower because of the Christmas season and fewer corporate relocations. Searching in February or March typically gives you the best selection before the mid-year rush.

Final Answer: What Does Makati Rent Cost in 2025?

Here is the cleanest summary you can take from this article:

• Bedspace in Makati: ₱3,500 – ₱7,500 per month
• Furnished studio, budget range: ₱9,995 – ₱13,000 per month
• Furnished studio, mid-range: ₱13,000 – ₱18,000 per month
• Furnished 1-bedroom, budget: ₱14,000 – ₱18,000 per month
• Furnished 1-bedroom, mid-range: ₱18,000 – ₱28,000 per month
• Add ₱2,200 – ₱6,000/month for utilities depending on what your rent includes
• Have ₱35,000 – ₱85,000 ready for move-in day (deposit + advance + first month + setup)

The best-value entry point in the Makati rental market for workers and students in 2025 is a fully furnished studio at MakatiApartments.com — ₱9,995 per month in a professionally managed, flood-free building with 24-hour security, WiFi included, and flexible lease terms.

MakatiApartments.com has buildings in Brgy. Poblacion, Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Brgy. Pio del Pilar, and Brgy. Guadalupe Nuevo — covering the main employment and transit corridors of Makati and BGC. Units are available now for viewing.

Contact MakatiApartments.com via Messenger for the fastest response — typically under 5 minutes. Or call 0998-595-2341. Rent starts at ₱9,995/month. Fully furnished. Flood-free. No hidden fees.

MakatiApartments.com  |  Poblacion, Sta. Cruz, Pio del Pilar & Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City, Philippines

info@MakatiApartments.com  |  0998-595-2341  |  (02) 8896-33-65

Rent from ₱9,995/month. Fully furnished. Flood-free. Short-term & long-term leases. 24-hour security.