Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Monthly budget (single)
$923–$1,462/month
₫23,075,000 – ₫36,550,000 (local currency)
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Ho Chi Minh City?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Cost breakdown
| Category | USD | Local currency |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $692–$1,077 | ₫17,300,000 – ₫26,925,000 |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $365–$577 | ₫9,125,000 – ₫14,425,000 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $29–$56 | ₫725,000 – ₫1,400,000 |
| Internet & Mobile | $12–$19 | ₫300,000 – ₫475,000 |
| Groceries (monthly) | $146–$219 | ₫3,650,000 – ₫5,475,000 |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $19–$35 | ₫475,000 – ₫875,000 |
| Coffee | $2–$2 | ₫50,000 – ₫50,000 |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $37–$44 | ₫925,000 – ₫1,100,000 |
| Gym membership | $13–$25 | ₫325,000 – ₫625,000 |
| Cinema ticket | $5–$7 | ₫125,000 – ₫175,000 |
Budget scenarios
Single
$923–$1,462/mo USD
₫23,075,000 – ₫36,550,000
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,077/mo
- Groceries: ~$219/mo
- Transport: ~$44/mo
Couple
$1,462–$2,231/mo USD
₫36,550,000 – ₫55,775,000
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,077/mo
- Groceries: ~$219/mo
- Transport: ~$44/mo
Family
$2,115–$3,269/mo USD
₫52,875,000 – ₫81,725,000
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$1,077/mo
- Groceries: ~$219/mo
- Transport: ~$44/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Ho Chi Minh City Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $865–$1,346/mo (₫21,625,000 – ₫33,650,000)
Ho Chi Minh City Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $761–$1,185/mo (₫19,025,000 – ₫29,625,000)
Ho Chi Minh City Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $554–$862/mo (₫13,850,000 – ₫21,550,000)
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Growth
- • Coffee culture
- • Value
❌ Cons
- • Motorbike traffic
- • Heat
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Cheaper alternatives
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.