Cost of living in Laos compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 64% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Laos is 64% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 46,667 ₭ ($3.53) | $17 | - 80% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 52,500 ₭ ($3.97) | $9 | - 57% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 18,750 ₭ ($1.42) | $5.08 | - 72% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14,750 ₭ ($1.12) | $0.99 | + 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 11,000 ₭ ($0.83) | $3.31 | - 75% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 9,536 ₭ ($0.72) | $4.41 | - 84% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 100,000 ₭ ($8) | $7 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 38,881 ₭ ($2.94) | $3.92 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 12,420 ₭ ($0.94) | $1.95 | - 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 9,500 ₭ ($0.72) | $3.35 | - 79% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 113,333 ₭ ($9) | $16 | - 45% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 16,167 ₭ ($1.22) | $2.25 | - 46% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12,500 ₭ ($0.95) | $2.49 | - 62% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in Laos is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 36,848,500 ₭ ($2,786) | $2,528 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,963,400 ₭ ($905) | $1,959 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 899,750 ₭ ($68) | $202 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,275,000 ₭ ($474) | $1,772 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | - | $1,345 | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 400,000 ₭ ($30) | $138 | - 78% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 246,757 ₭ ($19) | $57 | - 67% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 3,510,140 ₭ ($265) | $302 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 800,000 ₭ ($60) | $136 | - 55% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 187,500 ₭ ($14) | $12 | + 17% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 11,875 ₭ ($0.90) | $26 | - 97% | |
| Clothes | - 23% | |||
| Clothes in Laos is 23% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 650,000 ₭ ($49) | $51 | - 4% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 500,000 ₭ ($38) | $47 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,000,000 ₭ ($76) | $92 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 500,000 ₭ ($38) | $119 | - 68% | |
| Transportation | - 54% | |||
| Transportation in Laos is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 190,900,000 ₭ ($14,434) | $25,234 | - 43% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 9,140 ₭ ($0.69) | $1.05 | - 34% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 360,000 ₭ ($27) | $76 | - 64% | |
| Personal Care | - 67% | |||
| Personal Care in Laos is 67% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 15,000 ₭ ($1.13) | $7 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $19 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 468,000 ₭ ($35) | $125 | - 72% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 27,551 ₭ ($2.08) | $7 | - 72% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 23,138 ₭ ($1.75) | $4.16 | - 58% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 30,000 ₭ ($2.27) | $5.52 | - 59% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 9,951 ₭ ($0.75) | $4.19 | - 82% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 16,829 ₭ ($1.27) | $2.05 | - 38% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 30,333 ₭ ($2.29) | $25 | - 91% | |
| Entertainment | - 54% | |||
| Entertainment in Laos is 54% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Laos | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 60,000 ₭ ($4.54) | $49 | - 91% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 131,859 ₭ ($10) | $26 | - 62% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | - | $192 | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 480,645 ₭ ($36) | $83 | - 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 62,218 ₭ ($4.70) | $13 | - 63% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 29,323 ₭ ($2.22) | $5.17 | - 57% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 10,790 ₭ ($0.82) | $6 | - 87% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | - | $495 | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 167 ₭ ($0.01) | $0.17 | - 92% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 750,000 ₭ ($57) | $54 | + 6% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 16,000 ₭ ($1.21) | $9 | - 87% | |
| TOTAL | - 50% | |||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 16,075 prices entered by 2,610 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00008
USD
/
LAK
Cost of living in Laos is 50% cheaper than in United States
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