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Ho Chi Minh City vs Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai runs about 16% cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for this household, a difference of 180 USD a month.

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
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
Ho Chi Minh City monthly
$1,128
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Chiang Mai monthly
$948
Index 15 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-16%
Chiang Mai relative to Ho Chi Minh City
Rent gap
$170
Ho Chi Minh City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricHo Chi Minh CityChiang Mai
Cost
Total monthly cost1,128 USD948 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1815✓
Housing550 USD380 USD✓
Utilities77 USD✓91 USD
Food308 USD300 USD✓
Transport53 USD35 USD✓
Healthcare14 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle84 USD✓87 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,789 USD6,510 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate30.5%21.9%✓
Left over each month4,660 USD5,562 USD✓
Average local net salary550 USD600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre550 USD380 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,200 USD850 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,800 USD2,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety62/10076/100✓
Healthcare60/10064/100✓
Air quality36/100✓28/100
Public transport30/100✓20/100
Walkability52/10052/100
English proficiency32/10038/100✓
Nightlife86/100✓72/100
Family friendliness62/10072/100✓
Median broadband150 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature28°C26°C✓
Summer high34°C✓36°C
Winter low22°C✓14°C
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h2,600 h✓
Annual rainfall1900 mm1150 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access120 min✓None nearby
CurrencyVNDTHB
Time zoneAsia/Ho_Chi_MinhAsia/Bangkok

Chiang Mai runs about 16% 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 Ho Chi Minh CityCost of living in Chiang MaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Chiang Mai cheaper?

Chiang Mai runs about 16% cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for this household, a difference of 180 USD a month.

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

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

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

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