Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is about the same as in Balikpapan (Indonesia)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 39 prices entered by 19 different people.
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Currency:
Food | - 9% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 9% cheaper than in Balikpapan (Indonesia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Balikpapan | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 95,079 ₫ (Rp 60,737) | Rp 53,037 | + 15% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 94,999 ₫ (Rp 60,686) | Rp 42,447 | + 43% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 36,320 ₫ (Rp 23,202) | Rp 21,500 | + 8% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 34,056 ₫ (Rp 21,755) | Rp 20,738 | + 5% | |
12 eggs, large | 31,840 ₫ (Rp 20,340) | Rp 20,514 | - 1% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 22,632 ₫ (Rp 14,458) | Rp 11,800 | + 23% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 128,717 ₫ (Rp 82,226) | Rp 50,000 | + 64% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 61,292 ₫ (Rp 39,154) | Rp 29,600 | + 32% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 30,119 ₫ (Rp 19,240) | Rp 24,557 | - 22% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 21,532 ₫ (Rp 13,755) | Rp 28,993 | - 53% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 340,806 ₫ (Rp 217,710) | Rp 316,667 | - 31% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 21,817 ₫ (Rp 13,937) | Rp 22,610 | - 38% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 23,062 ₫ (Rp 14,732) | Rp 18,993 | - 22% | |
Housing | + 42% | |||
Housing in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 42% more expensive than in Balikpapan (Indonesia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Balikpapan | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 26,336,800 ₫ (Rp 16,824,221) | Rp 8,640,150 | + 95% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 18,058,500 ₫ (Rp 11,535,957) | Rp 4,076,650 | + 183% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,575,120 ₫ (Rp 1,006,203) | Rp 938,194 | + 7% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 13,634,400 ₫ (Rp 8,709,796) | Rp 4,266,930 | + 104% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 9,450,820 ₫ (Rp 6,037,282) | Rp 2,024,910 | + 198% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 766,813 ₫ (Rp 489,848) | Rp 971,181 | - 50% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 192,746 ₫ (Rp 123,128) | Rp 396,806 | - 69% | |
40” flat screen tv | 8,671,020 ₫ (Rp 5,539,137) | Rp 4,874,240 | + 14% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,288,680 ₫ (Rp 2,100,843) | Rp 1,250,000 | + 68% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 197,111 ₫ (Rp 125,917) | Rp 66,032 | + 91% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 72,689 ₫ (Rp 46,435) | - | - | |
Clothes | + 6% | |||
Clothes in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 6% more expensive than in Balikpapan (Indonesia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Balikpapan | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 993,010 ₫ (Rp 634,345) | Rp 825,000 | - 23% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 945,156 ₫ (Rp 603,775) | Rp 600,000 | + 1% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,365,010 ₫ (Rp 1,510,793) | Rp 675,000 | + 124% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,580,210 ₫ (Rp 1,009,455) | Rp 833,333 | + 21% | |
Transportation | + 6% | |||
Transportation in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 6% more expensive than in Balikpapan (Indonesia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Balikpapan | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,086,160,000 ₫ (Rp 693,850,262) | Rp 396,000,000 | + 75% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 22,043 ₫ (Rp 14,081) | Rp 8,428 | + 67% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 174,561 ₫ (Rp 111,511) | Rp 386,667 | - 71% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 127,916 ₫ (Rp 81,714) | Rp 73,376 | + 11% | |
Personal Care | - 24% | |||
Personal Care in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 24% cheaper than in Balikpapan (Indonesia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Balikpapan | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 43,639 ₫ (Rp 27,877) | Rp 210,000 | - 87% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 122,285 ₫ (Rp 78,117) | Rp 125,000 | - 38% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 782,378 ₫ (Rp 499,791) | Rp 190,645 | + 162% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 96,240 ₫ (Rp 61,479) | Rp 53,333 | + 15% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 61,999 ₫ (Rp 39,606) | Rp 43,333 | - 9% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 84,163 ₫ (Rp 53,764) | Rp 22,500 | + 139% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 30,291 ₫ (Rp 19,350) | Rp 25,000 | - 23% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 22,724 ₫ (Rp 14,516) | Rp 19,250 | - 25% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 95,691 ₫ (Rp 61,128) | Rp 152,564 | - 60% | |
Entertainment | - 25% | |||
Entertainment in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 25% cheaper than in Balikpapan (Indonesia) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Balikpapan | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 474,704 ₫ (Rp 303,246) | Rp 354,839 | - 15% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 224,894 ₫ (Rp 143,665) | Rp 98,571 | + 46% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 604,866 ₫ (Rp 386,395) | Rp 716,129 | - 46% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 878,864 ₫ (Rp 561,427) | Rp 600,000 | - 6% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 172,204 ₫ (Rp 110,006) | Rp 108,333 | + 2% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 63,371 ₫ (Rp 40,482) | Rp 56,250 | - 28% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 25,264 ₫ (Rp 16,139) | Rp 55,000 | - 71% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 13,053,100 ₫ (Rp 8,338,456) | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,751 ₫ (Rp 1,118) | Rp 1,491 | - 25% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 551,396 ₫ (Rp 352,237) | Rp 995,486 | - 65% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 29,355 ₫ (Rp 18,752) | Rp 16,576 | + 13% | |
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TOTAL | + 3% |

These prices were last updated on January 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
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For example, you would need at least Rp 26,150,008 (40,935,479 ₫) in Ho Chi Minh City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with Rp 25,500,000 in Balikpapan.
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