Cost of Living Comparison Between Vang Vieng and Vientiane Cost of Living Comparison Between Vang Vieng and Vientiane

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.29 LAK 50.1K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.07 LAK 417.9K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.64 LAK 101.7K

Cappuccino

$1.69 LAK 37.1K

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

$0.53 LAK 11.6K

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 LAK 7,649

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.17 LAK 25.7K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75 LAK 38.4K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.99 LAK 43.6K

White Bread (500g)

$0.89 LAK 19.6K

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.98 LAK 21.4K

Eggs

$1.84 LAK 40.4K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.25 LAK 619.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.78 LAK 148.6K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.24 LAK 136.8K

Apples (1kg)

$1.93 LAK 42.3K

Banana (1kg)

$1.13 LAK 24.7K

Oranges (1kg)

$2.04 LAK 44.7K

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 LAK 30.2K

Potato (1kg)

$1.61 LAK 35.2K

Onion (1kg)

$1.05 LAK 23.0K

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.65 LAK 14.3K

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.36 LAK 7,856

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.99 LAK 43.5K

Wine (Bottle)

$10.06 LAK 220.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.98 LAK 21.4K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.74 LAK 38.1K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 LAK 10.3K

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$49.82 LAK 1.1M

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.96 LAK 42.9K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.18 LAK 26.0K

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.68 LAK 102.6K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.35 LAK 29.6K

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

$28.5K LAK 624.2M

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

$30.1K LAK 659.5M

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

$71.4 LAK 1.6M

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

$32.09 LAK 703.4K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$11.26 LAK 246.9K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.7 LAK 1.1M

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.65 LAK 123.9K

Cinema Ticket

$2.46 LAK 53.8K

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

$339 LAK 7.4M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,233 LAK 202.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$28.18 LAK 617.6K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$70.2 LAK 1.5M

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.6 LAK 1.3M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$42.26 LAK 926.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$865 LAK 19.0M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$779 LAK 17.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$925 LAK 20.3M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,640 LAK 35.9M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,339 LAK 51.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,107 LAK 24.3M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$273 LAK 6.0M

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 Vang Vieng: June 7, 2026

Last update for Vientiane: 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

Vang Vieng vs Vientiane: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Families tend to lean toward Vang Vieng – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Vang Vieng. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Vientiane makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.