Cost of living in Vientiane (Laos) is 37% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States)
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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 171 prices entered by 43 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 59% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Vientiane (Laos) is 59% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vientiane | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 58,855 ₭ ($2.92) | $20 | - 85% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 60,439 ₭ ($3.00) | $11 | - 73% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | - | $5.81 | - | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | - | $1.37 | - | |
| 12 eggs, large | - | $3.80 | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | $6 | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 120,701 ₭ ($5.99) | $8 | - 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 23,454 ₭ ($1.16) | $5.00 | - 77% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | - | $2.97 | - | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 9,378 ₭ ($0.47) | $3.23 | - 86% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 128,574 ₭ ($6) | $15 | - 58% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 15,722 ₭ ($0.78) | $2.42 | - 68% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 16,348 ₭ ($0.81) | $3.27 | - 75% | |
| Housing | - 20% | |||
| Housing in Vientiane (Laos) is 20% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vientiane | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | - | $4,158 | - | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | - | $3,150 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 722,877 ₭ ($36) | $215 | - 83% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | - | $2,317 | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,844 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 303,140 ₭ ($15) | $91 | - 83% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 267,501 ₭ ($13) | $57 | - 77% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 3,703,410 ₭ ($184) | $326 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | - | $125 | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | $12 | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | - | $35 | - | |
| Clothes | ||||
| Clothes in Vientiane (Laos) is about the same as in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vientiane | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | - | $59 | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | - | $46 | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | - | $98 | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | - | $134 | - | |
| Transportation | - 28% | |||
| Transportation in Vientiane (Laos) is 28% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vientiane | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 213,113,000 ₭ ($10,579) | $25,761 | - 59% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9,782 ₭ ($0.49) | $1.03 | - 53% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | - | $106 | - | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | - | $19 | - | |
| Personal Care | - 38% | |||
| Personal Care in Vientiane (Laos) is 38% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vientiane | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | $8 | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 32,462 ₭ ($1.61) | $10 | - 84% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | - | $146 | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | - | $6 | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 24,404 ₭ ($1.21) | $4.16 | - 71% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | - | $4.22 | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | - | $4.16 | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 22,320 ₭ ($1.11) | $2.56 | - 57% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 49,137 ₭ ($2.44) | $28 | - 91% | |
| Entertainment | - 42% | |||
| Entertainment in Vientiane (Laos) is 42% cheaper than in Washington D.C. (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Vientiane | Washington D.C. | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | - | $67 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | - | $28 | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $277 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 498,878 ₭ ($25) | $133 | - 81% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | - | $15 | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 27,920 ₭ ($1.39) | $5.48 | - 75% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 14,039 ₭ ($0.70) | $8 | - 91% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 6,072,510 ₭ ($301) | $466 | - 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.17 | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | - | $103 | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 18,771 ₭ ($0.93) | $11 | - 92% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 37% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 171 prices entered by 43 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00005
USD
/
LAK
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $12,000 in Washington D.C. you would need to make just about $7,559 (152,279,773 ₭) in Vientiane.
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