Cost of Living Comparison Between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng Cost of Living Comparison Between Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.90 LAK 41.6K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.57 LAK 385.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.50 LAK 120.6K

Cappuccino

$1.60 LAK 35.1K

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.91 LAK 20.0K

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.58 LAK 12.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.35 LAK 29.7K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.13 LAK 24.8K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.75 LAK 38.4K

White Bread (500g)

$1.13 LAK 24.8K

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.23 LAK 48.9K

Eggs

$2.45 LAK 53.7K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$24.83 LAK 544.1K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.69 LAK 58.9K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.36 LAK 95.5K

Apples (1kg)

$1.35 LAK 29.5K

Banana (1kg)

$2.16 LAK 47.3K

Oranges (1kg)

$2.18 LAK 47.7K

Tomato (1kg)

$4.44 LAK 97.3K

Potato (1kg)

$1.45 LAK 31.8K

Onion (1kg)

$1.00 LAK 22.0K

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 LAK 23.4K

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.76 LAK 16.7K

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.03 LAK 44.4K

Wine (Bottle)

$29.77 LAK 652.6K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.25 LAK 27.5K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.82 LAK 18.0K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.62 LAK 13.5K

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$60.2 LAK 1.3M

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.96 LAK 21.0K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.13 LAK 24.7K

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.66 LAK 102.2K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.16 LAK 25.5K

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.8K LAK 630.2M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$29.6K LAK 648.9M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$86.3 LAK 1.9M

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$5.40 LAK 118.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.14 LAK 156.5K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$83.5 LAK 1.8M

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.05 LAK 176.5K

Cinema Ticket

$2.47 LAK 54.1K

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

$253 LAK 5.5M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,413 LAK 206.3M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$74.4 LAK 1.6M

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$61.2 LAK 1.3M

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.5 LAK 1.6M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$52.3 LAK 1.1M

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,137 LAK 24.9M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$866 LAK 19.0M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,945 LAK 42.6M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,730 LAK 37.9M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,604 LAK 57.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$170 LAK 3.7M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$198 LAK 4.3M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.12

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Luang Prabang: June 8, 2026

Last update for Vang Vieng: June 7, 2026

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Luang Prabang vs Vang Vieng: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For families, Vang Vieng is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Luang Prabang, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.

Safety-wise, Luang Prabang and Vang Vieng are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

It comes down to priorities – Vang Vieng wins on affordability, Luang Prabang on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.