Current exchange rate: $1 = ₱56. Whether you're sending $100 or $10,000 from Houston to Philippines, the service you choose can make a big difference in how much arrives.
| Service | Exchange Rate | Fee | Recipient Gets | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise ⭐ | Mid-market | ~$6–8 | Most | 1–2 days |
| Bank Wire | 3–5% below mid | $25–45 | $30–75 less | 3–5 days |
| Western Union | 1–3% below mid | $5–15 | Variable | Minutes–days |
| MoneyGram | 1–3% below mid | $5–20 | Variable | Minutes–days |
| PayPal/Xoom | 2–4% below mid | $5–15 | $25–55 less | Minutes–days |
For transfers over $10,000, you may need to report to FinCEN (Bank Secrecy Act). This is legal and routine. Wise handles compliance automatically. The recipient country may also have reporting thresholds.
Sending money to family in Philippines is generally not taxable. However, gifts over $17,000/year to a non-resident may require filing IRS Form 3520. Consult a tax advisor for large transfers.
Wise offers the best exchange rates for USD to PHP transfers from Houston. You get the real mid-market rate with transparent fees, typically saving $30–$75 per $1,000 vs. bank transfers.
With Wise, transfers from Houston to Philippines typically arrive in 1–2 business days. Bank wires take 3–5 days, while services like Western Union can be instant for cash pickup.
The current mid-market rate is approximately $1 = ₱56. Rates fluctuate daily. Wise always uses the real mid-market rate with no markup — check their calculator for today's exact rate.