Cost of living in Laos compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 56% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Laos is 56% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 94,647 ₭ ($5.35) | $19 | - 72% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 75,353 ₭ ($4.26) | $10 | - 57% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 18,750 ₭ ($1.06) | $5.93 | - 82% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14,750 ₭ ($0.83) | $1.09 | - 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 11,000 ₭ ($0.62) | $4.92 | - 87% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9,536 ₭ ($0.54) | $4.81 | - 89% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 140,000 ₭ ($8) | $7 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 130,000 ₭ ($7) | $4.67 | + 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 12,420 ₭ ($0.70) | $2.52 | - 72% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 16,282 ₭ ($0.92) | $3.12 | - 71% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 159,294 ₭ ($9) | $16 | - 43% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | - | $2.74 | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 40,000 ₭ ($2.26) | $3.05 | - 26% | |
| Housing | - 60% | |||
| Housing in Laos is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 36,848,500 ₭ ($2,083) | $2,985 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,963,400 ₭ ($676) | $2,210 | - 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 300,000 ₭ ($17) | $219 | - 92% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,275,000 ₭ ($355) | $1,960 | - 82% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,472 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 400,000 ₭ ($23) | $149 | - 85% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 180,000 ₭ ($10) | $63 | - 84% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 5,000,000 ₭ ($283) | $295 | - 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 ₭ ($45) | $136 | - 67% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 187,500 ₭ ($11) | $14 | - 22% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11,875 ₭ ($0.67) | $31 | - 98% | |
| Clothes | - 42% | |||
| Clothes in Laos is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 650,000 ₭ ($37) | $54 | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500,000 ₭ ($28) | $45 | - 38% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,000,000 ₭ ($57) | $93 | - 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 500,000 ₭ ($28) | $121 | - 77% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in Laos is 47% 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 ₭ ($39,566) | $27,744 | + 43% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 12,000 ₭ ($0.68) | $1.06 | - 36% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 360,000 ₭ ($20) | $82 | - 75% | |
| Personal Care | - 74% | |||
| Personal Care in Laos is 74% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 ₭ ($0.85) | $8 | - 89% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 50,000 ₭ ($2.83) | $21 | - 87% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 468,000 ₭ ($26) | $139 | - 81% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 27,551 ₭ ($1.56) | $8 | - 81% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 62,500 ₭ ($3.53) | $4.85 | - 27% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 30,000 ₭ ($1.70) | $6 | - 73% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 9,951 ₭ ($0.56) | $4.78 | - 88% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 30,000 ₭ ($1.70) | $2.24 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 75,000 ₭ ($4.24) | $28 | - 85% | |
| Entertainment | - 66% | |||
| Entertainment in Laos is 66% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 ₭ ($3.39) | $55 | - 94% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 131,859 ₭ ($7) | $28 | - 73% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $200 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 500,000 ₭ ($28) | $89 | - 68% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 62,218 ₭ ($3.52) | $13 | - 74% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 45,000 ₭ ($2.54) | $5.23 | - 51% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25,000 ₭ ($1.41) | $6 | - 78% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 8,811,000 ₭ ($498) | $554 | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 ₭ ($0.01) | $0.20 | - 95% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 750,000 ₭ ($42) | $59 | - 28% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 30,000 ₭ ($1.70) | $10 | - 83% | |
| TOTAL | - 57% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 21,998 prices entered by 2,816 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00006
USD
/
LAK
Cost of living in Laos is 57% cheaper than in United States
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