Cost of Living in Laos

If you've ever considered moving to Laos, one of the first questions that likely crossed your mind is, "What is the cost of living in Laos?" After all, it's essential to have a clear picture of your potential expenses before making such a life-changing decision. At this page, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of the cost of living in Laos and whether the reported $1783 per month figure aligns with the average monthly salary of $312.04.

Restaurants
Markets
Transportation
Childcare
Clothing
Rent Per Month
Buy Apartment
Salaries
Laos
restaurant

Restaurants

Price

World Range

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant

2.0 $

Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course

21.66 $

McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)

5.0 $

Domestic Beer (1 pint draught)

1.13 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

2.25 $

Cappuccino (regular)

2.32 $

Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle)

1.06 $

Water (12 oz small bottle)

0.56 $

store

Markets

Price

World Range

Milk (regular), (1 gallon)

2.93 $

Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb)

1.72 $

Rice (white), (1 lb)

1.9 $

Eggs (regular) (12)

1.58 $

Local Cheese (1 lb)

20.94 $

Chicken Fillets (1 lb)

4.27 $

Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)

13.64 $

Apples (1 lb)

4.82 $

Banana (1 lb)

1.95 $

Oranges (1 lb)

2.89 $

Tomato (1 lb)

3.79 $

Potato (1 lb)

2.15 $

Onion (1 lb)

1.89 $

Lettuce (1 head)

1.74 $

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

0.53 $

Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)

13.0 $

Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

1.02 $

Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle)

1.95 $

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)

2.0 $

commute

Transportation

Price

World Range

One-way Ticket (Local Transport)

0.68 $

Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

5.94 $

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

3.0 $

Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff)

1.49 $

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

5.0 $

Gasoline (1 gallon)

1.06 $

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)

59448.31 $

Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)

34793.12 $

mark_as_unread

Utilities (Monthly)

Price

World Range

Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment

95.0 $

1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)

0.1 $

Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)

102.02 $

kitesurfing

Sports And Leisure

Price

World Range

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult

34.22 $

Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)

22.99 $

Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat

5.0 $

child_friendly

Childcare

Price

World Range

Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child

--

International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child

4490.81 $

checkroom

Clothing And Shoes

Price

World Range

1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

93.14 $

1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)

50.63 $

1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)

124.25 $

1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes

44.78 $

night_shelter

Rent Per Month

Price

World Range

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre

560.49 $

Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre

257.88 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre

1096.55 $

Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre

598.85 $

home

Buy Apartment Price

Price

World Range

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre

2493.1 $

Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre

297.7 $

account_balance_wallet

Salaries And Financing

Price

World Range

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

312.04 $

Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate

10.12 %

Laos

How Safe Is Laos for Travel?
Warnings & Dangers in Laos

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Overall, Laos is relatively safe, but there are extremely high rates of both petty crime and violent crime due to the poverty of the population. You should be vigilant and take all possible precaution measures in order to minimize the risk of something going wrong.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Transportation conditions have improved a lot in the past couple of years in Laos. The highways of Laos have improved a lot and taking buses and trucks have become popular with travelers. Just be careful when it comes to pickpockets and always negotiate the fees before entering the vehicle.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

There is an extreme threat to petty crime. Pickpockets are practically an everyday occurrence and you should be extremely careful when handling your valuables and never carry your money in a purse or a pocket. The riskiest locations are crowded places such as markets, public transport and bus, and train stations.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

There are many natural disasters that Laos is exposed to throughout the year, such as droughts, flooding, cyclones, and various disease epidemics. However, the most dangerous natural disasters are floods due to tropical storms that, in the past years, have been causing serious damage and hundreds of thousands of deaths.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Violent crime is not unheard of in Laos. The chances of getting mugged or kidnapped are low, but there are areas that are best avoided. Recently, this country has seen a rise in robberies and muggings, so keep your belongings tightly by your side.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There haven't been any terrorist attacks in Laos' recent history but they shouldn't be ruled out. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There are a couple of scams in Laos, the most popular being the bus drivers stalling their driving routes and then dropping you off to a "good guest house they know" where your only option is to spend the night.Actually, most scams take place at bus or train stations where only the locals know the real fees. Always negotiate your prices before getting into vehicles.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Laos is relatively safe for female solo travelers. Sexual harassment does occur, though rarely, but you should still be careful. Apply basic precaution measures - avoid wearing purses and do not walk alone or roam around deserted or poorly lit streets and areas.

Useful Information & Tips
credit_card

Visas

Travelers that don't have a passport from Japan or one of the ASEAN member states will need a visa to enter Laos. However, the good thing is that the procedure is not complicated at all. The Lao government issues 30-day tourist visas upon arrival at all international airports so you don't have to think about your visa before your trip. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

currency_exchange

Currency

Lao kip is the official currency in Laos, however, Thai baht and US dollars are also used and accepted. ATMs can now be found all over Laos and a growing number of establishments accept credit cards.

cloudy_snowing

Weather

Laos has a tropical monsoon climate, characterized by a distinctive rainy season lasting from May until October, a cool and dry season from November to February, and a hot and dry season in March and April. The monsoons hit all parts of the country at about the same time.

flight_takeoff

Airports

Wattay International Airport is the busiest international airports in Laos, out of the few ones serving this country. It is located about 3 km outside of the Vientiane city center.

health_and_safety

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Laos, since it covers not only the costs medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Comparison of the Cost Of Living in Laos with other countries

Cost of living in countries