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Ho Chi Minh City vs Manila

Ho Chi Minh City runs about 7% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 79 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
Binondo skyline skyscrapers
Manila
$1,207/month · Philippines
Patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ho Chi Minh City monthly
$1,128
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Manila monthly
$1,207
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+7%
Manila relative to Ho Chi Minh City
Rent gap
$50
Ho Chi Minh City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Ho Chi Minh CityManila
  • Housing
    Housing: Ho Chi Minh City $550, Manila $500. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Food
    Food: Ho Chi Minh City $308, Manila $366. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Transport
    Transport: Ho Chi Minh City $53, Manila $48. Cheaper in Manila.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Ho Chi Minh City $77, Manila $121. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Ho Chi Minh City $14, Manila $16. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Ho Chi Minh City $84, Manila $104. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Other
    Other: Ho Chi Minh City $43, Manila $52. 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

MetricHo Chi Minh CityManila
Cost
Total monthly cost1,128 USD✓1,207 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)18✓19
Housing550 USD500 USD✓
Utilities77 USD✓121 USD
Food308 USD✓366 USD
Transport53 USD48 USD✓
Healthcare14 USD✓16 USD
Lifestyle84 USD✓104 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,789 USD6,021 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate30.5%27.7%✓
Left over each month4,660 USD4,814 USD✓
Average local net salary550 USD✓450 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre550 USD500 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,200 USD1,100 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,800 USD3,400 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety62/100✓46/100
Healthcare60/100✓58/100
Air quality36/100✓34/100
Public transport30/10030/100
Walkability52/100✓44/100
English proficiency32/10086/100✓
Nightlife86/100✓78/100
Family friendliness62/100✓60/100
Median broadband150 Mbps✓120 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high34°C33°C✓
Winter low22°C23°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓2,100 h
Annual rainfall1900 mm✓2000 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access120 min90 min✓
CurrencyVNDPHP
Time zoneAsia/Ho_Chi_MinhAsia/Manila

Ho Chi Minh City runs about 7% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 79 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh CityCost of living in ManilaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Ho Chi Minh City or Manila cheaper?

Ho Chi Minh City runs about 7% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 79 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Manila 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 $6,021 in Manila, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Ho Chi Minh City scores 62/100 on safety and 60/100 on healthcare; Manila scores 46 and 58. Ho Chi Minh City averages 28°C against 28°C in Manila.