Cost of living in Vietnam compared to United States
Currency:
Food | - 68% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Vietnam is 68% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 90,923 ₫ ($3.56) | $21 | - 83% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 95,967 ₫ ($3.76) | $12 | - 69% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 45,245 ₫ ($1.77) | $5.80 | - 69% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 40,161 ₫ ($1.57) | $1.11 | + 42% | |
12 eggs, large | 41,540 ₫ ($1.63) | $5.25 | - 69% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 32,517 ₫ ($1.27) | $4.85 | - 74% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 300,000 ₫ ($12) | $7 | + 58% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 65,249 ₫ ($2.56) | $4.28 | - 40% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 31,468 ₫ ($1.23) | $2.31 | - 47% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 14,362 ₫ ($0.56) | $3.45 | - 84% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 281,308 ₫ ($11) | $18 | - 37% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 24,758 ₫ ($0.97) | $2.92 | - 67% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 17,389 ₫ ($0.68) | $3.17 | - 79% | |
Housing | - 77% | |||
Housing in Vietnam is 77% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 23,195,800 ₫ ($909) | $3,301 | - 72% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 15,825,000 ₫ ($620) | $2,469 | - 75% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 2,265,110 ₫ ($89) | $227 | - 61% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 12,027,500 ₫ ($471) | $2,265 | - 79% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 7,055,050 ₫ ($277) | $1,664 | - 83% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,991,480 ₫ ($78) | $171 | - 54% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 150,000 ₫ ($5.88) | $63 | - 91% | |
40” flat screen tv | 5,991,230 ₫ ($235) | $249 | - 6% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 2,000,000 ₫ ($78) | $146 | - 46% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 163,111 ₫ ($6) | $15 | - 56% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 100,674 ₫ ($3.95) | $34 | - 89% | |
Clothes | - 18% | |||
Clothes in Vietnam is 18% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,254,820 ₫ ($49) | $58 | - 16% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,036,100 ₫ ($41) | $50 | - 19% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,534,030 ₫ ($99) | $105 | - 6% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,411,460 ₫ ($95) | $144 | - 34% | |
Transportation | - 67% | |||
Transportation in Vietnam is 67% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 688,677,000 ₫ ($26,991) | $30,907 | - 13% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 22,866 ₫ ($0.90) | $0.95 | - 6% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 227,099 ₫ ($9) | $87 | - 90% | |
Personal Care | - 58% | |||
Personal Care in Vietnam is 58% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | - | $9 | - | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | $21 | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 343,813 ₫ ($13) | $159 | - 92% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 61,982 ₫ ($2.43) | $9 | - 73% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 105,033 ₫ ($4.12) | $5.19 | - 21% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 80,170 ₫ ($3.14) | $7 | - 55% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 28,163 ₫ ($1.10) | $5.10 | - 78% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 32,668 ₫ ($1.28) | $2.33 | - 45% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 383,339 ₫ ($15) | $30 | - 51% | |
Entertainment | - 60% | |||
Entertainment in Vietnam is 60% cheaper than in United States | ||||
Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 350,299 ₫ ($14) | $61 | - 77% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 218,316 ₫ ($9) | $30 | - 72% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 2,000,000 ₫ ($78) | $212 | - 63% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 622,740 ₫ ($24) | $103 | - 76% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 212,043 ₫ ($8) | $15 | - 44% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 54,420 ₫ ($2.13) | $5.83 | - 63% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 53,583 ₫ ($2.10) | $8 | - 72% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 12,540,300 ₫ ($491) | $495 | - 1% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | $0.54 | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 586,665 ₫ ($23) | $74 | - 69% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 33,535 ₫ ($1.31) | $11 | - 89% | |
TOTAL | - 68% |

These prices were last updated on March 17, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00004
USD
/
VND
Cost of living in Vietnam is 68% cheaper than in United States
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