Cost of Living Comparison Between Vietnam and Australia Cost of Living Comparison Between Vietnam and Australia

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $698 per month in Vietnam vs $2,181 in Australia, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,099 per month in Vietnam vs $3,218 in Australia, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,500 per month in Vietnam vs $4,254 in Australia, rent included.

The cost of living in Vietnam is roughly 68% lower than in Australia on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Vietnam sits 48% below the global median, while Australia is 64% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

The regional cost range is wider in Australia ($1,595$2,799) than in Vietnam ($480$804), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vietnam
Australia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96 ₫51.5K
$15.97 A$22.66
-87.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.36 ₫561.5K
$79.0 A$112
-72.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.66 ₫122.6K
$9.68 A$13.74
-51.86%
Cappuccino
$1.63 ₫42.9K
$3.58 A$5.08
-54.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₫12.9K
$2.56 A$3.64
-80.86%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ₫7,642
$2.22 A$3.15
-86.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.91 ₫24.0K
$6.34 A$8.99
-85.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57 ₫41.4K
$6.95 A$9.86
-77.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vietnam
Australia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.44 ₫37.8K
$1.56 A$2.22
-7.69%
White Bread (500g)
$0.89 ₫23.5K
$2.53 A$3.59
-64.82%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.95 ₫24.9K
$2.00 A$2.83
-52.50%
Eggs
$1.53 ₫40.3K
$4.26 A$6.05
-64.08%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.67 ₫306.9K
$8.75 A$12.42
33.37%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.66 ₫96.3K
$8.23 A$11.68
-55.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.96 ₫261.8K
$14.15 A$20.08
-29.61%
Apples (1kg)
$2.77 ₫72.8K
$3.26 A$4.63
-15.03%
Banana (1kg)
$1.08 ₫28.4K
$2.81 A$3.99
-61.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.33 ₫34.9K
$3.00 A$4.26
-55.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.11 ₫29.3K
$4.31 A$6.12
-74.25%
Potato (1kg)
$1.09 ₫28.7K
$2.55 A$3.62
-57.25%
Onion (1kg)
$1.15 ₫30.2K
$2.16 A$3.07
-46.76%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ₫18.7K
$2.22 A$3.15
-68.02%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₫12.8K
$1.53 A$2.17
-67.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.38 ₫36.2K
$31.28 A$44.38
-95.59%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.71 ₫255.3K
$14.09 A$20.00
-31.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.81 ₫21.3K
$4.44 A$6.30
-81.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 ₫38.4K
$4.90 A$6.96
-70.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Vietnam
Australia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.30 ₫7,825
$2.95 A$4.19
-89.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.77 ₫204.3K
$95.9 A$136
-91.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.75 ₫19.6K
$3.49 A$4.95
-78.51%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.66 ₫17.3K
$1.84 A$2.61
-64.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.91 ₫102.9K
$37.26 A$52.9
-89.51%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 ₫22.0K
$1.17 A$1.66
-28.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.8K ₫941.9M
$28.7K A$40.8K
24.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.4K ₫877.8M
$22.5K A$31.9K
48.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vietnam
Australia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$69.5 ₫1.8M
$173 A$246
-59.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.51 ₫144.8K
$26.62 A$37.77
-79.30%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.60 ₫226.2K
$53.1 A$75.3
-83.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vietnam
Australia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.70 ₫570.4K
$46.82 A$66.4
-53.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.20 ₫215.7K
$16.38 A$23.25
-49.94%
Cinema Ticket
$3.80 ₫100.0K
$13.56 A$19.24
-71.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vietnam
Australia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$244 ₫6.4M
$1,571 A$2,229
-84.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K ₫324.1M
$12.6K A$17.9K
-2.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vietnam
Australia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.61 ₫962.5K
$72.1 A$102
-49.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.71 ₫649.6K
$51.6 A$73.2
-52.13%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.9 ₫2.3M
$101 A$144
-13.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.4 ₫2.1M
$108 A$153
-24.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vietnam
Australia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$376 ₫9.9M
$1,398 A$1,984
-73.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$246 ₫6.5M
$1,086 A$1,541
-77.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$801 ₫21.1M
$2,272 A$3,223
-64.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$532 ₫14.0M
$1,751 A$2,485
-69.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,533 ₫92.9M
$7,955 A$11.3K
-55.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,778 ₫46.8M
$5,978 A$8,483
-70.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vietnam
Australia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$417 ₫11.0M
$4,053 A$5,751
-89.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.37
6.35
47.56%

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

Last update for Vietnam: July 27, 2026

Last update for Australia: July 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $335 in Vietnam vs $1,230 in Australia. For reference, capital cities sit at $326 in Hanoi and $1,557 in Canberra.

Average salary: $341 in Vietnam vs $3,808 in Australia. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 267% higher in Australia.

Dining out costs 285% more in Australia.

Public transport is 857% more expensive in Australia.

Salaries are 1017% higher in Australia, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Australia.

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
Vietnam vs Australia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Australia more expensive than Vietnam?
Vietnam is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 242% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Housing costs more in Australia, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Australia consistently has higher rents.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Vietnam, contributing to the overall 242% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Is $1,200 a realistic budget in Australia or in Vietnam?
$1,200 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Vietnam, but in Australia it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Should I move to Australia or to Vietnam?
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.

Vietnam vs other spots: cost of living compared

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