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Chiang Mai vs Ho Chi Minh City

Chiang Mai runs about 19% cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for this household, a difference of 180 USD a month.

View of Chiang Mai City, taken from the top of Doi Suthep Mountain. Image extracted (crop) from Supanut Arunoprayote's original panoramic file. Extracted and edited (crop) under the Creative Commons A
Chiang Mai
$948/month · Thailand
Supanut Arunoprayote · 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
Chiang Mai monthly
$948
Index 15 (NYC = 100)
Ho Chi Minh City monthly
$1,128
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+19%
Ho Chi Minh City relative to Chiang Mai
Rent gap
$170
Ho Chi Minh City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Chiang MaiHo Chi Minh City
  • Housing
    Housing: Chiang Mai $380, Ho Chi Minh City $550. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Food
    Food: Chiang Mai $300, Ho Chi Minh City $308. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chiang Mai $35, Ho Chi Minh City $53. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chiang Mai $91, Ho Chi Minh City $77. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chiang Mai $14, Ho Chi Minh City $14. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chiang Mai $87, Ho Chi Minh City $84. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Other
    Other: Chiang Mai $42, Ho Chi Minh City $43. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
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

MetricChiang MaiHo Chi Minh City
Cost
Total monthly cost948 USD✓1,128 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)15✓18
Housing380 USD✓550 USD
Utilities91 USD77 USD✓
Food300 USD✓308 USD
Transport35 USD✓53 USD
Healthcare14 USD✓14 USD
Lifestyle87 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 month5,562 USD✓4,660 USD
Average local net salary600 USD✓550 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre380 USD✓550 USD
3-bed rent, city centre850 USD✓1,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,000 USD✓3,800 USD
Quality of life
Safety76/100✓62/100
Healthcare64/100✓60/100
Air quality28/10036/100✓
Public transport20/10030/100✓
Walkability52/10052/100
English proficiency38/100✓32/100
Nightlife72/10086/100✓
Family friendliness72/100✓62/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓150 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature26°C✓28°C
Summer high36°C34°C✓
Winter low14°C22°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓2,500 h
Annual rainfall1150 mm✓1900 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach accessNone nearby120 min✓
CurrencyTHBVND
Time zoneAsia/BangkokAsia/Ho_Chi_Minh

Chiang Mai runs about 19% cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for this household, a difference of 180 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Chiang MaiCost of living in Ho Chi Minh CityConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Chiang Mai vs Kuala LumpurChiang Mai vs BaliChiang Mai vs Bangkok
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chiang Mai or Ho Chi Minh City cheaper?

Chiang Mai runs about 19% cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for this household, a difference of 180 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,510 a month in Chiang Mai 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, Chiang Mai or Ho Chi Minh City?

Chiang Mai scores 76/100 on safety and 64/100 on healthcare; Ho Chi Minh City scores 62 and 60. Chiang Mai averages 26°C against 28°C in Ho Chi Minh City.