Cost of Living in Ninh Binh - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $718 monthly including rent, or $401 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,161 with rent, or $700 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,604 including rent, or $998 for daily expenses alone.

Ninh Binh sits 43–46% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are well below average (31% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96 ₫51.6K
$1.37 ₫36.0K
$3.92 ₫102.9K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.88 ₫548.8K
$15.19 ₫399.1K
$38.02 ₫999.1K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.50 ₫118.2K
$3.39 ₫89.0K
$5.65 ₫148.4K
Cappuccino
$1.77 ₫46.6K
$0.78 ₫20.6K
$2.80 ₫73.7K
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 ₫13.4K
$0.40 ₫10.4K
$0.80 ₫21.1K
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 ₫7,912
$0.20 ₫5,183
$0.52 ₫13.6K
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.00 ₫26.2K
$0.60 ₫15.9K
$2.00 ₫52.5K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₫41.6K
$0.99 ₫26.0K
$2.77 ₫72.7K
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.38 ₫36.2K
$1.09 ₫28.7K
$1.70 ₫44.8K
White Bread (500g)
$1.02 ₫26.7K
$0.60 ₫15.8K
$1.59 ₫41.7K
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.99 ₫26.1K
$0.59 ₫15.6K
$1.57 ₫41.1K
Eggs
$1.43 ₫37.5K
$1.13 ₫29.7K
$1.82 ₫47.9K
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.73 ₫308.2K
$5.78 ₫151.9K
$23.08 ₫606.4K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.77 ₫98.9K
$2.15 ₫56.4K
$5.47 ₫143.6K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.66 ₫253.7K
$5.60 ₫147.2K
$12.51 ₫328.7K
Apples (1kg)
$2.75 ₫72.3K
$1.56 ₫41.1K
$4.68 ₫123.0K
Banana (1kg)
$1.02 ₫26.7K
$0.75 ₫19.8K
$1.69 ₫44.5K
Oranges (1kg)
$1.29 ₫33.9K
$0.45 ₫11.8K
$3.56 ₫93.5K
Tomato (1kg)
$1.12 ₫29.5K
$0.59 ₫15.5K
$1.96 ₫51.4K
Potato (1kg)
$1.02 ₫26.9K
$0.56 ₫14.8K
$1.49 ₫39.1K
Onion (1kg)
$1.05 ₫27.6K
$0.59 ₫15.5K
$1.56 ₫41.0K
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.64 ₫16.9K
$0.44 ₫11.6K
$1.04 ₫27.2K
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 ₫12.5K
$0.36 ₫9,521
$0.73 ₫19.3K
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.33 ₫34.9K
$1.14 ₫30.0K
$1.52 ₫39.9K
Wine (Bottle)
$11.19 ₫294.0K
$5.60 ₫147.1K
$11.19 ₫294.0K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.74 ₫19.4K
$0.56 ₫14.6K
$1.11 ₫29.3K
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 ₫43.7K
$0.79 ₫20.8K
$2.75 ₫72.3K
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.32 ₫8,297
$0.30 ₫7,794
$0.40 ₫10.6K
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.48 ₫170.3K
$4.38 ₫115.0K
$6.48 ₫170.3K
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.67 ₫17.6K
$0.37 ₫9,715
$0.93 ₫24.5K
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.62 ₫16.4K
$0.58 ₫15.1K
$0.96 ₫25.1K
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.84 ₫74.7K
$1.47 ₫38.7K
$7.06 ₫185.5K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 ₫23.9K
$0.85 ₫22.2K
$1.00 ₫26.4K
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K ₫907.1M
$26.3K ₫692.3M
$36.8K ₫966.0M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.9K ₫839.3M
$28.2K ₫741.4M
$34.7K ₫911.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$74.6 ₫2.0M
$41.98 ₫1.1M
$152 ₫4.0M
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.98 ₫157.2K
$3.53 ₫92.7K
$7.85 ₫206.4K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.47 ₫222.6K
$6.14 ₫161.4K
$14.56 ₫382.5K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.92 ₫575.9K
$15.32 ₫402.6K
$38.31 ₫1.0M
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.60 ₫199.6K
$4.18 ₫109.8K
$7.60 ₫199.6K
Cinema Ticket
$3.11 ₫81.7K
$2.71 ₫71.3K
$4.85 ₫127.5K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$264 ₫6.9M
$114 ₫3.0M
$418 ₫11.0M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K ₫300.3M
$8,827 ₫231.9M
$15.0K ₫395.0M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.38 ₫1.1M
$19.00 ₫499.1K
$64.6 ₫1.7M
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.89 ₫601.5K
$13.24 ₫347.8K
$37.81 ₫993.4K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.3 ₫2.2M
$37.87 ₫995.0K
$121 ₫3.2M
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.5 ₫1.9M
$37.69 ₫990.3K
$113 ₫3.0M
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$364 ₫9.6M
$234 ₫6.1M
$545 ₫14.3M
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$252 ₫6.6M
$156 ₫4.1M
$390 ₫10.2M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$737 ₫19.4M
$582 ₫15.3M
$970 ₫25.5M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$544 ₫14.3M
$389 ₫10.2M
$777 ₫20.4M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,075 ₫54.5M
$1,657 ₫43.5M
$2,819 ₫74.1M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,229 ₫32.3M
$1,081 ₫28.4M
$1,229 ₫32.3M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.1
7
13

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

Last update: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $190 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $21.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $6.48 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31.00).

Cost Highlights

Local beer is cheaper than 95% of cities in Asia

Public transport monthly pass is cheaper than 93% of cities in Asia

Ninh Binh Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

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Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Ninh Binh - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ninh Binh stack up for overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Many find the Cost of Living in Ninh Binh to strike a favorable balance: lower rents and smaller utility bills than big hubs, plus easy access to nature and cultural sites. Housing options range from cozy guesthouses to modest apartments, often available on flexible terms outside peak season. Daily meals from street stalls and markets stay affordable, while a handful of cafes and coworking spaces offer work setups at predictable costs. Transit is practical and low-stress – scooters, cycles, or short taxi hops. Tip: scout neighborhoods near the town center for easy errands and strong connectivity.
What does daily life look like in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Ninh Binh centers on simple conveniences and easy access to nature. In housing search, look at town-center apartments or river-adjacent homes for walkability; leases are often straightforward with flexible terms. Food options range from vibrant markets and family-run eateries to riverside cafes, letting you eat well on a modest budget. Transport is practical: scooters and bicycles are common, with occasional rides for longer trips. Errands – groceries, banking, and postal services – are concentrated in the main streets, so you can batch tasks on market days. Ninh Binh living cost remains manageable, helping you allocate more to outings and slow mornings. Tip: set a weekly wandering route to discover hidden gems.
What about quality of life, budgeting frameworks, ways to save, seasonality, and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life here blends safety, pastoral scenery, and a friendly pace. Build a simple budgeting framework that splits housing, utilities, food, transport, and experiences; prioritize long-term stays to reduce daily costs. Save by cooking at home, shopping in local markets, and evaluating multi-month rent options with hosts or landlords. Seasonality shapes crowds and activity – wet months bring quieter streets but may limit river trips; dry season brings celebrations and easier outdoor access. Neighborhood fit matters: riverside villages offer calm mornings, the town center puts services at your doorstep, and hillside routes reward you with views and quieter sides of life. Tip: test commute times during different days to gauge balance.
What makes Ninh Binh a budget-friendly city to live in?
Compared to most cities worldwide, Ninh Binh is just cheap – all-in costs average $718 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.
How much does it cost to live in Ninh Binh in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Ninh Binh come to around $718 including rent, or roughly $401 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
How much should you earn to live well in Ninh Binh?
Earning $1,078 monthly in Ninh Binh means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
How much should I budget for housing in Ninh Binh?
Where you live in Ninh Binh makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $364; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $252. Overall, the market runs from $252 to $364 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Ninh Binh?
A monthly transit pass in Ninh Binh goes for roughly $6.48, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What are kindergarten prices in Ninh Binh?
Childcare averages $264 monthly at a private kindergarten in Ninh Binh. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Ninh Binh?
$1,000 stretches far in Ninh Binh – all-in monthly costs average only $718. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Ninh Binh expat-friendly?
Expats in Ninh Binh enjoy low crime rates, clean air, café culture, and monthly costs average around $718. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Ninh Binh?
Monthly expenses in Ninh Binh run around $718, so putting money aside takes more than $1,078 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Can you backpack through Ninh Binh cheaply?
Budget travelers love Ninh Binh – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $718 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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