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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.47 LAK 55.4K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$17.93 LAK 402.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.37 LAK 120.4K

Cappuccino

$1.71 LAK 38.3K

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

$0.69 LAK 15.4K

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 LAK 7,944

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.31 LAK 29.4K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.73 LAK 38.7K

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 LAK 45.5K

White Bread (500g)

$1.13 LAK 25.3K

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.04 LAK 23.3K

Eggs

$1.82 LAK 40.7K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$27.20 LAK 609.8K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.36 LAK 142.5K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.83 LAK 153.0K

Apples (1kg)

$2.37 LAK 53.1K

Banana (1kg)

$1.13 LAK 25.3K

Oranges (1kg)

$2.64 LAK 59.3K

Tomato (1kg)

$1.54 LAK 34.6K

Potato (1kg)

$1.41 LAK 31.5K

Onion (1kg)

$1.09 LAK 24.3K

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.54 LAK 12.0K

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.42 LAK 9,359

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.79 LAK 40.2K

Wine (Bottle)

$10.03 LAK 224.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 LAK 22.8K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.12 LAK 47.6K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.42 LAK 9,466

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$48.25 LAK 1.1M

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.31 LAK 29.3K

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.88 LAK 19.6K

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$4.50 LAK 101.0K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.38 LAK 30.9K

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

$28.3K LAK 634.9M

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

$29.2K LAK 654.0M

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

$90.7 LAK 2.0M

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

$32.96 LAK 739.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$12.07 LAK 270.7K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.48 LAK 1.0M

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.48 LAK 167.7K

Cinema Ticket

$4.25 LAK 95.3K

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

$621 LAK 13.9M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$9,772 LAK 219.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$26.46 LAK 593.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.9 LAK 1.5M

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$55.8 LAK 1.3M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$40.14 LAK 899.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$639 LAK 14.3M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$418 LAK 9.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,077 LAK 24.1M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$679 LAK 15.2M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,302 LAK 51.6M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,119 LAK 25.1M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$263 LAK 5.9M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Vang Vieng: August 16, 2026

Last update for Vientiane: August 17, 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.