Cost of living in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) is about the same as in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 193 prices entered by 26 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
Food | + 9% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) is 9% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Phnom Penh | Ho Chi Minh City | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 18,349 Riels (115,076 ₫) | 170,385 ₫ | - 32% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 23,968 Riels (150,318 ₫) | 102,985 ₫ | + 46% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 10,017 Riels (62,820 ₫) | 49,692 ₫ | + 26% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 7,915 Riels (49,639 ₫) | 36,227 ₫ | + 37% | |
12 eggs, large | 7,975 Riels (50,017 ₫) | 43,741 ₫ | + 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 6,260 Riels (39,264 ₫) | 28,800 ₫ | + 36% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 30,785 Riels (193,074 ₫) | 117,291 ₫ | + 65% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 13,620 Riels (85,421 ₫) | 80,339 ₫ | + 6% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6,812 Riels (42,724 ₫) | 32,722 ₫ | + 31% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 3,886 Riels (24,374 ₫) | 27,920 ₫ | - 13% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 45,485 Riels (285,267 ₫) | 366,716 ₫ | - 22% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 6,805 Riels (42,676 ₫) | 21,185 ₫ | + 101% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 4,518 Riels (28,334 ₫) | 24,449 ₫ | + 16% | |
Housing | - 16% | |||
Housing in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) is 16% cheaper than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Phnom Penh | Ho Chi Minh City | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 3,600,450 Riels (22,580,822 ₫) | 33,471,900 ₫ | - 33% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 1,971,280 Riels (12,363,211 ₫) | 17,630,600 ₫ | - 30% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 482,852 Riels (3,028,287 ₫) | 1,799,760 ₫ | + 68% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 2,086,240 Riels (13,084,201 ₫) | 15,540,700 ₫ | - 16% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 1,368,130 Riels (8,580,455 ₫) | 10,517,300 ₫ | - 18% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 189,542 Riels (1,188,744 ₫) | 980,760 ₫ | + 21% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 51,000 Riels (319,855 ₫) | 230,292 ₫ | + 39% | |
40” flat screen tv | 1,291,230 Riels (8,098,164 ₫) | 8,918,640 ₫ | - 9% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 477,376 Riels (2,993,943 ₫) | 3,452,870 ₫ | - 13% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 25,791 Riels (161,750 ₫) | 185,666 ₫ | - 13% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 17,002 Riels (106,632 ₫) | 87,634 ₫ | + 22% | |
Clothes | - 26% | |||
Clothes in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) is 26% cheaper than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Phnom Penh | Ho Chi Minh City | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 176,691 Riels (1,108,147 ₫) | 1,257,390 ₫ | - 12% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 131,341 Riels (823,727 ₫) | 1,061,740 ₫ | - 22% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 201,221 Riels (1,261,991 ₫) | 3,173,060 ₫ | - 60% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 230,561 Riels (1,446,002 ₫) | 1,593,900 ₫ | - 9% | |
Transportation | + 11% | |||
Transportation in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) is 11% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Phnom Penh | Ho Chi Minh City | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 126,247,000 Riels (791,779,079 ₫) | 915,601,000 ₫ | - 14% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 4,455 Riels (27,939 ₫) | 21,730 ₫ | + 29% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 58,412 Riels (366,341 ₫) | 219,136 ₫ | + 67% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 30,520 Riels (191,414 ₫) | 202,455 ₫ | - 5% | |
Personal Care | + 36% | |||
Personal Care in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) is 36% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Phnom Penh | Ho Chi Minh City | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 11,343 Riels (71,136 ₫) | 38,951 ₫ | + 83% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 23,570 Riels (147,820 ₫) | 131,483 ₫ | + 12% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 174,747 Riels (1,095,955 ₫) | 513,626 ₫ | + 113% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 20,021 Riels (125,563 ₫) | 66,639 ₫ | + 88% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 14,976 Riels (93,926 ₫) | 77,584 ₫ | + 21% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 16,527 Riels (103,652 ₫) | 87,557 ₫ | + 18% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 6,383 Riels (40,035 ₫) | 28,507 ₫ | + 40% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 8,951 Riels (56,136 ₫) | 22,852 ₫ | + 146% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 28,394 Riels (178,079 ₫) | 293,590 ₫ | - 39% | |
Entertainment | + 25% | |||
Entertainment in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) is 25% more expensive than in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Phnom Penh | Ho Chi Minh City | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 66,919 Riels (419,695 ₫) | 398,272 ₫ | + 5% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 31,937 Riels (200,296 ₫) | 223,730 ₫ | - 10% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 102,866 Riels (645,141 ₫) | 602,147 ₫ | + 7% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 162,764 Riels (1,020,802 ₫) | 721,650 ₫ | + 41% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 18,510 Riels (116,091 ₫) | 176,018 ₫ | - 34% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 10,437 Riels (65,456 ₫) | 60,126 ₫ | + 9% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 6,038 Riels (37,868 ₫) | 63,146 ₫ | - 40% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 2,311,750 Riels (14,498,525 ₫) | 13,054,300 ₫ | + 11% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 287 Riels (1,803 ₫) | 1,408 ₫ | + 28% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 273,333 Riels (1,714,253 ₫) | 687,432 ₫ | + 149% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 6,850 Riels (42,963 ₫) | 32,594 ₫ | + 32% | |
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TOTAL | + 3% |

These prices were last updated on February 10, 2025.
Exchange rate:
6.272
VND
/
KHR
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For example, you would need at least 102,684,839 ₫ (16,372,816 Riels) in Phnom Penh to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 99,800,000 ₫ in Ho Chi Minh City.
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