Are you considering a move to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and wondering about the cost of living? Ho Chi Minh City is a diverse city with a lot to offer, but like any city, it comes with its own set of expenses. In this page, we'll break down the cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City and help you understand whether $1334 per month is moderately priced, given the average monthly salary of $460.46.
|
Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
2.03 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
24.31 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
4.86 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
1.1 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
1.82 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
1.99 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
0.54 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
0.36 $ |
|
|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.52 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
1.09 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
0.93 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
1.61 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
12.73 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
3.78 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
10.84 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
3.45 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
1.09 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
1.34 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
1.17 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
1.33 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
1.26 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
1.0 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
0.49 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
8.91 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
0.95 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
1.45 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
1.22 $ |
|
|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.28 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
8.43 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
0.61 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
0.64 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
2.43 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
0.96 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
32407.99 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
36145.96 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
69.66 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
-- |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
11.1 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
29.26 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
10.92 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
4.86 $ |
|
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
305.27 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
16770.23 $ |
|
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
34.67 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
30.86 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
105.33 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
94.28 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
495.63 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
304.54 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
1121.16 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
599.13 $ |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
4525.02 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
2046.06 $ |
|
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
460.46 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
9.99 % |
|
The monthly expenses for living in Ho Chi Minh City come to a total of approximately $1334. This includes an average monthly rent of around $495 for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center, along with utilities costing about $75 per month. Additionally, other expenses such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and leisure activities for one person amount to approximately $457 per month.
Living in Ho Chi Minh City appears to be relatively budget-friendly when considering the average monthly income of $460.46. However, to enjoy a comfortable standard of living in Ho Chi Minh City, you would likely need an income exceeding $460.46.
In Ho Chi Minh City, the average monthly post-tax salary hovers around $460.46, and it isn't tied to any particular skillset or qualification.
The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City is approximately $495. If you're open to living in a location outside the city center, you can expect to pay around $304.54 for such an apartment.
The expense for groceries in Ho Chi Minh City can fluctuate based on personal choices and shopping patterns. Typically, an individual can budget around $402 per month for groceries. Nevertheless, the actual costs may change depending on various factors, including the specific items bought, the choice of stores, and the availability of discounts or special offers.
The cost of living in Vietnam can vary significantly depending on the particular city you have in mind. Using a nationwide average might not provide accurate information. To get a more precise understanding, it's crucial to examine the cost of living in various cities throughout Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh is a relatively safe city to travel to. Its main source of income is tourism, so the tourists' safety is their number one concern. The street crime is more common in cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.
Means of transport and taxis aren't very safe in Ho Chi Minh. Many taxis in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi have previously installed rigged meters that charge up to 2 to 8 times more. Your best chance is taking a taxi from reputable companies such as Mai Linh and Vinasun in Ho Chi Minh. You should consult some guidebooks and travel forums before you travel to Vietnam that will prepare you for petty scams. There is also a very popular scam where the buses break down and the tour operators force people to pay considerable amounts for crummy hotels "while the bus is repaired".
Pickpocketing and bag snatching is a very common issue in Ho Chi Minh, especially on the side of the roads where motorbike snatching may occur. Keep your belongings by your side at all times and try to leave all your valuables in a security deposit box of your hotel.
Natural threats include rare earthquakes and occasional typhoons (from May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta nearly every year. Vietnam is occasionally also devastated by storms and typhoons that can cause millions of dollars of damage. In case of a natural disaster, follow the instructions of local authorities.
There are some areas in Ho Chi Minh where cases of mugging have been reported, but it is generally rare, and foreigners are rarely targeted.
There is a low probability of a terrorist attack, however, they should never be ruled out so be vigilant and watch out for suspicious activities.
There is a number of scams performed on tourists in Vietnam, such as gambling scams where, if you do venture in gambling, there is a great risk you will be scammed or ripped off or karaoke scams: since prostitution is forbidden, you can find prostitutes in various karaoke bars, which are actually one big scam and their clients often get ripped off, drink spiked and robbed. Apart from these scams, you can get overcharged by everyone: street vendors, taxi and bus drivers, hotel owners and worst of all - the police. Double-check every information and pay, or negotiate everything in advance.
Sexual assaults are common in Vietnam, especially in the following cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Sapa, and Cat Ba Island. Avoid overnight trains and buses, and parts of cities that are filled with bars and clubs, since there is a higher chance of running into intoxicated people. Follow basic common sense and avoid walking alone at night and in poorly lit and secluded areas.
All US citizens wishing to visit Vietnam will need to apply for a tourist visa and no earlier than six months before their planned departure. Your passport should be valid for at least six months past your date of return.
The Vietnamese Dong is the official currency in Ho Chi Minh. We recommend changing your money in post offices, banks or larger hotels. Airports also offer a convenient exchange rate.
Southern Vietnam is mostly dry and hot between November and April, and the rainfalls are common from June through August.
The busiest airport in Vietnam is Tan Son Nhat International Airport, located in Ho Chi Minh. It is located inside the crowded urban core of Ho Chi Minh City.
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Ho Chi Minh City, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 89°F | 91°F | 93°F | 94°F | 93°F | 91°F | 90°F | 89°F | 89°F | 88°F | 89°F | 88°F |
| Temp | 80°F | 81°F | 83°F | 85°F | 84°F | 82°F | 81°F | 82°F | 81°F | 81°F | 80°F | 79°F |
| Low | 72°F | 73°F | 77°F | 79°F | 79°F | 77°F | 76°F | 76°F | 76°F | 75°F | 74°F | 72°F |
| Average | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 31°C | 32°C | 33°C | 34°C | 33°C | 32°C | 32°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C | 31°C |
| Temp | 26°C | 27°C | 28°C | 29°C | 28°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 27°C | 26°C | 26°C |
| Low | 22°C | 22°C | 25°C | 26°C | 26°C | 25°C | 24°C | 24°C | 24°C | 23°C | 23°C | 22°C |