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Kuala Lumpur vs Ho Chi Minh City

Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

The bright lights of Bukit Bintang.
Kuala Lumpur
$1,171/month · Malaysia
Will Simmonds from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, China · CC BY 2.0
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
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Ho Chi Minh City monthly
$1,128
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-4%
Ho Chi Minh City relative to Kuala Lumpur
Rent gap
$50
Kuala Lumpur costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Kuala LumpurHo Chi Minh City
  • Housing
    Housing: Kuala Lumpur $600, Ho Chi Minh City $550. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Food
    Food: Kuala Lumpur $300, Ho Chi Minh City $308. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: Kuala Lumpur $40, Ho Chi Minh City $53. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Kuala Lumpur $86, Ho Chi Minh City $77. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Kuala Lumpur $14, Ho Chi Minh City $14. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Kuala Lumpur $90, Ho Chi Minh City $84. Cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City.
  • Other
    Other: Kuala Lumpur $42, Ho Chi Minh City $43. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
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

MetricKuala LumpurHo Chi Minh City
Cost
Total monthly cost1,171 USD1,128 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1818✓
Housing600 USD550 USD✓
Utilities86 USD77 USD✓
Food300 USD✓308 USD
Transport40 USD✓53 USD
Healthcare14 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle90 USD84 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,698 USD5,789 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate31.6%30.5%✓
Left over each month4,527 USD4,660 USD✓
Average local net salary1,000 USD✓550 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD550 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,300 USD1,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD✓3,800 USD
Quality of life
Safety68/100✓62/100
Healthcare76/100✓60/100
Air quality50/100✓36/100
Public transport70/100✓30/100
Walkability58/100✓52/100
English proficiency84/100✓32/100
Nightlife72/10086/100✓
Family friendliness74/100✓62/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓150 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high33°C✓34°C
Winter low23°C✓22°C
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall2500 mm1900 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access60 min✓120 min
CurrencyMYRVND
Time zoneAsia/Kuala_LumpurAsia/Ho_Chi_Minh

Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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

Frequently asked

Is Kuala Lumpur or Ho Chi Minh City cheaper?

Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,698 a month in Kuala Lumpur 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, Kuala Lumpur or Ho Chi Minh City?

Kuala Lumpur scores 68/100 on safety and 76/100 on healthcare; Ho Chi Minh City scores 62 and 60. Kuala Lumpur averages 28°C against 28°C in Ho Chi Minh City.