✦ Cost of living
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
US = 100
In plain terms: Ho Chi Minh City is about 55% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $500/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing38−62%
- Food & groceries42−58%
- Transport35−65%
- Utilities55−45%
- Healthcare45−55%
- Goods & services55−45%
About
“Pearl of the Far East”
Saigon runs on motorbikes, coffee and relentless energy — one of Asia's cheapest big cities, with a fast-growing nomad and startup scene in District 1 and Thao Dien. No dedicated visa yet, so most stay on rolling e-visas.
- Currency
- Vietnamese dong · VND
- Languages
- Vietnamese
- Coordinates
- 10.82, 106.63
- Emergency
- 113
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
35%
Income tax
progressive
10%
VAT / sales
20%
Corporate
$500
Avg net salary
per month
Visas & residency
No dedicated nomad visa; long-stay via a 90-day e-visa, temporary residence, or work permit.
✈ 45-day visa exemption for some passports; 90-day e-visa for most.
Multiple-entry; used de-facto by remote workers.
Max stay: 3 months
Via work, investment or family.
Employer-sponsored.
Permanent residence after ~3 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
60/100
Healthcare
55/100
Pollution
65/100
Internet
90 Mbps
Jan avg
+27 °C
Jul avg
+28 °C
Sunny days
220/yr
Walkability
40/100
Public transit
35/100
Family-friendly
55/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 40
- Tap water
- Not recommended
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Ho Chi Minh City, VN?
Ho Chi Minh City, VN's cost-of-living index is 45 (US average = 100) — about 55% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $500 per month.
What are the average living costs in Ho Chi Minh City, VN?
Living costs in Ho Chi Minh City, VN are about 55% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 45 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $500. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Ho Chi Minh City, VN?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $500 per month, and around $320 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Vietnam?
Vietnam has a top income-tax rate of 35% and a VAT or sales tax of 10%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Ho Chi Minh City, VN?
Ho Chi Minh City, VN averages around +27 °C in January and +28 °C in July, with roughly 220 sunny days a year.
Is Ho Chi Minh City, VN safe?
Ho Chi Minh City, VN scores 60 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
❖ Compare Ho Chi Minh City with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.