Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Vietnam Cost of Living Comparison Between United States and Vietnam

Name: Vietnam
Address: VN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,642 per month in United States vs $699 in Vietnam, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,857 per month in United States vs $1,100 in Vietnam, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,072 per month in United States vs $1,501 in Vietnam, rent included.

The cost of living in United States is about 278% higher than in Vietnam on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

United States sits 98% above the global median, while Vietnam is 48% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in United States ($1,335–$5,182) than in Vietnam ($486–$808), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.63 $19.63

$1.95 ₫51.3K

906.67%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.4 $75.4

$21.40 ₫562.7K

252.52%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.57 $11.57

$4.55 ₫119.7K

154.29%

Cappuccino

$5.22 $5.22

$1.66 ₫43.6K

214.46%

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

$2.49 $2.49

$0.50 ₫13.2K

398.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$0.27 ₫6,997

662.96%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.91 $5.91

$0.91 ₫24.0K

549.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.13 $7.13

$1.55 ₫40.8K

360.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.40 ₫36.8K

-22.14%

White Bread (500g)

$3.56 $3.56

$0.89 ₫23.4K

300.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$0.95 ₫24.9K

398.95%

Eggs

$4.34 $4.34

$1.46 ₫38.4K

197.26%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.68 $12.68

$11.46 ₫301.2K

10.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.28 $12.28

$3.64 ₫95.6K

237.36%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.60 $16.60

$10.10 ₫265.5K

64.36%

Apples (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$2.74 ₫71.9K

88.32%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.05 ₫27.5K

61.90%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$1.31 ₫34.5K

239.69%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.80 $4.80

$1.11 ₫29.2K

332.43%

Potato (1kg)

$2.93 $2.93

$1.13 ₫29.8K

159.29%

Onion (1kg)

$3.09 $3.09

$1.19 ₫31.4K

159.66%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.22 $2.22

$0.71 ₫18.8K

212.68%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$0.52 ₫13.6K

332.69%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.90 $9.90

$1.38 ₫36.2K

617.39%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.28 $15.28

$9.82 ₫258.1K

55.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.91 $1.91

$0.78 ₫20.5K

144.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 $3.58

$1.42 ₫37.4K

152.11%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.46 $2.46

$0.32 ₫8,480

668.75%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.6 $64.6

$7.63 ₫200.6K

747.18%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.77 $3.77

$0.69 ₫18.2K

446.38%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.71 $1.71

$0.60 ₫15.9K

185.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.08 $30.08

$3.86 ₫101.4K

679.27%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$0.91 ₫24.0K

5.49%

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

$29.9K $29.9K

$35.8K ₫942.0M

-16.66%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$33.6K ₫882.3M

-22.09%

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

$210 $210

$70.6 ₫1.9M

197.49%

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

$56.3 $56.3

$5.73 ₫150.8K

882.37%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72.9 $72.9

$9.08 ₫238.8K

702.42%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.39 $45.39

$21.79 ₫573.0K

108.31%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.60 $21.60

$8.24 ₫216.8K

162.14%

Cinema Ticket

$14.04 $14.04

$3.94 ₫103.5K

256.35%

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

$1,377 $1,377

$243 ₫6.4M

467.54%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.4K $22.4K

$12.7K ₫332.6M

76.75%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$52.7 $52.7

$36.39 ₫956.7K

44.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.41 $42.41

$24.74 ₫650.5K

71.42%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.8 $91.8

$89.3 ₫2.3M

2.76%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$114 $114

$81.9 ₫2.2M

38.63%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,765 $1,765

$374 ₫9.8M

371.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,462 $1,462

$247 ₫6.5M

493.24%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,849 $2,849

$787 ₫20.7M

261.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,369 $2,369

$535 ₫14.1M

343.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,364 $3,364

$3,536 ₫93.0M

-4.88%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,665 $2,665

$1,825 ₫48.0M

46.03%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,378 $4,378

$407 ₫10.7M

975.31%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

9.37

-30.52%

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

Last update for United States: July 12, 2026

Last update for Vietnam: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $1,635 in United States vs $335 in Vietnam. For reference, capital cities sit at $1,625 in Washington, MI and $329 in Hanoi.

Average salary: $4,500 in United States vs $342 in Vietnam. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 388% higher in United States.

Dining out costs 265% more in United States.

Public transport is 257% more expensive in United States.

Salaries are 1216% higher in United States, and purchasing power comes out stronger in United States.

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

United States vs Vietnam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Vietnam is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 404% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in United States, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but United States consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Vietnam, contributing to the overall 404% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$1,200 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Vietnam, but in United States it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

Vietnam is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.