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Manila vs Ho Chi Minh City

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

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

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricManilaHo Chi Minh City
Cost
Total monthly cost1,207 USD1,128 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1918✓
Housing500 USD✓550 USD
Utilities121 USD77 USD✓
Food366 USD308 USD✓
Transport48 USD✓53 USD
Healthcare16 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle104 USD84 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,021 USD✓5,789 USD
Effective tax + social rate27.7%✓30.5%
Left over each month4,814 USD✓4,660 USD
Average local net salary450 USD550 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre500 USD✓550 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓1,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,400 USD✓3,800 USD
Quality of life
Safety46/10062/100✓
Healthcare58/10060/100✓
Air quality34/10036/100✓
Public transport30/10030/100
Walkability44/10052/100✓
English proficiency86/100✓32/100
Nightlife78/10086/100✓
Family friendliness60/10062/100✓
Median broadband120 Mbps150 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 rainfall2000 mm1900 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access90 min✓120 min
CurrencyPHPVND
Time zoneAsia/ManilaAsia/Ho_Chi_Minh

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

Frequently asked

Is Manila or Ho Chi Minh City 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 Ho Chi Minh City compared with Manila?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,021 a month in Manila 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, Manila or Ho Chi Minh City?

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