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Bangkok vs Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City runs about 18% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 255 USD a month.

Chakra Maha Prasat Throne Hall Grand Palace Bangkok aerial photo by Don Ramey Logan
Bangkok
$1,383/month · Thailand
Don Ramey Logan · CC BY 4.0
The view of the front of Independence Palace in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City
$1,128/month · Vietnam
Balon Greyjoy · CC0
Bangkok monthly
$1,383
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Ho Chi Minh City monthly
$1,128
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-18%
Ho Chi Minh City relative to Bangkok
Rent gap
$150
Bangkok costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BangkokHo Chi Minh City
  • Housing
    Housing: Bangkok $700, Ho Chi Minh City $550. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Food
    Food: Bangkok $355, Ho Chi Minh City $308. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Transport
    Transport: Bangkok $46, Ho Chi Minh City $53. Cheaper in Bangkok.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Bangkok $107, Ho Chi Minh City $77. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Bangkok $16, Ho Chi Minh City $14. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Bangkok $108, Ho Chi Minh City $84. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Other
    Other: Bangkok $51, Ho Chi Minh City $43. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBangkokHo Chi Minh City
Cost
Total monthly cost1,383 USD1,128 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2218✓
Housing700 USD550 USD✓
Utilities107 USD77 USD✓
Food355 USD308 USD✓
Transport46 USD✓53 USD
Healthcare16 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle108 USD84 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,510 USD✓5,789 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.9%✓30.5%
Left over each month5,126 USD✓4,660 USD
Average local net salary800 USD✓550 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD550 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,500 USD1,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD3,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety64/100✓62/100
Healthcare74/100✓60/100
Air quality42/100✓36/100
Public transport72/100✓30/100
Walkability66/100✓52/100
English proficiency34/100✓32/100
Nightlife92/100✓86/100
Family friendliness66/100✓62/100
Median broadband230 Mbps✓150 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature29°C28°C✓
Summer high35°C34°C✓
Winter low21°C22°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓2,500 h
Annual rainfall1500 mm✓1900 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access90 min✓120 min
CurrencyTHBVND
Time zoneAsia/BangkokAsia/Ho_Chi_Minh

Ho Chi Minh City runs about 18% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 255 USD a month.

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Cost of living in BangkokCost of living in Ho Chi Minh CityConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City cheaper?

Ho Chi Minh City runs about 18% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 255 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Ho Chi Minh City compared with Bangkok?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,510 a month in Bangkok and $5,789 in Ho Chi Minh City, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City?

Bangkok scores 64/100 on safety and 74/100 on healthcare; Ho Chi Minh City scores 62 and 60. Bangkok averages 29°C against 28°C in Ho Chi Minh City.