Cost of living in Laos compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 65% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Laos is 65% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 94,647 ₭ ($4.38) | $22 | - 80% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 75,353 ₭ ($3.49) | $12 | - 71% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 18,750 ₭ ($0.87) | $5.93 | - 85% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14,750 ₭ ($0.68) | $1.09 | - 37% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 11,000 ₭ ($0.51) | $5.62 | - 91% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9,536 ₭ ($0.44) | $4.83 | - 91% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 140,000 ₭ ($6) | $8 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 130,000 ₭ ($6) | $4.23 | + 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 12,420 ₭ ($0.58) | $2.30 | - 75% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 16,282 ₭ ($0.75) | $3.70 | - 80% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 159,294 ₭ ($7) | $18 | - 59% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | $2.94 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 40,000 ₭ ($1.85) | $3.01 | - 38% | |
| Housing | - 67% | |||
| Housing in Laos is 67% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 36,848,500 ₭ ($1,707) | $3,070 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,963,400 ₭ ($554) | $2,361 | - 77% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 300,000 ₭ ($14) | $237 | - 94% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,275,000 ₭ ($291) | $2,222 | - 87% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,628 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 400,000 ₭ ($19) | $168 | - 89% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 180,000 ₭ ($8) | $62 | - 87% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 5,000,000 ₭ ($232) | $251 | - 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 ₭ ($37) | $150 | - 75% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 187,500 ₭ ($9) | $15 | - 42% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11,875 ₭ ($0.55) | $34 | - 98% | |
| Clothes | - 57% | |||
| Clothes in Laos is 57% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 650,000 ₭ ($30) | $58 | - 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500,000 ₭ ($23) | $49 | - 53% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,000,000 ₭ ($46) | $106 | - 56% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 500,000 ₭ ($23) | $141 | - 84% | |
| Transportation | - 59% | |||
| Transportation in Laos is 59% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 700,000,000 ₭ ($32,420) | $30,916 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 12,000 ₭ ($0.56) | $0.93 | - 40% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 360,000 ₭ ($17) | $85 | - 80% | |
| Personal Care | - 81% | |||
| Personal Care in Laos is 81% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 ₭ ($0.69) | $10 | - 93% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50,000 ₭ ($2.32) | $24 | - 91% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 468,000 ₭ ($22) | $167 | - 87% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 27,551 ₭ ($1.28) | $10 | - 87% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 62,500 ₭ ($2.89) | $5.29 | - 45% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 30,000 ₭ ($1.39) | $7 | - 81% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 9,951 ₭ ($0.46) | $5.05 | - 91% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 30,000 ₭ ($1.39) | $2.37 | - 41% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 75,000 ₭ ($3.47) | $31 | - 89% | |
| Entertainment | - 79% | |||
| Entertainment in Laos is 79% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 ₭ ($2.78) | $61 | - 95% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 131,859 ₭ ($6) | $31 | - 80% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $234 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 500,000 ₭ ($23) | $104 | - 78% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 62,218 ₭ ($2.88) | $15 | - 81% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 45,000 ₭ ($2.08) | $6 | - 65% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25,000 ₭ ($1.16) | $8 | - 85% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 8,811,000 ₭ ($408) | $464 | - 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 ₭ ($0.01) | $0.52 | - 99% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 750,000 ₭ ($35) | $70 | - 51% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 30,000 ₭ ($1.39) | $11 | - 88% | |
| TOTAL | - 67% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 15,768 prices entered by 1,791 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00005
USD
/
LAK
Cost of living in Laos is 67% cheaper than in United States
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