Cost of living in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 16% cheaper than in Suzhou, China (China)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 223 prices entered by 35 different people.
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Food | - 32% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 32% cheaper than in Suzhou, China (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Suzhou, China | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 51,588 ₫ (16元) | 49元 | - 68% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 98,069 ₫ (30元) | 34元 | - 12% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 43,966 ₫ (13元) | 17元 | - 23% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 36,017 ₫ (11元) | 18元 | - 38% | |
12 eggs, large | 33,961 ₫ (10元) | 16元 | - 37% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 30,779 ₫ (9元) | 9元 | + 7% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 127,423 ₫ (39元) | 57元 | - 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 80,705 ₫ (24元) | 16元 | + 54% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 32,956 ₫ (10元) | 7元 | + 44% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 21,810 ₫ (7元) | 7元 | + 1% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 200,000 ₫ (61元) | 152元 | - 60% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | 22,272 ₫ (7元) | 11元 | - 40% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 29,250 ₫ (9元) | 13元 | - 31% | |
Housing | + 0% | |||
Housing in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is about the same as in Suzhou, China (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Suzhou, China | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 29,166,100 ₫ (8,829元) | 6,533元 | + 35% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 14,948,500 ₫ (4,525元) | 3,169元 | + 43% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,575,120 ₫ (477元) | 404元 | + 18% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 12,023,000 ₫ (3,640元) | 5,523元 | - 34% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 7,174,960 ₫ (2,172元) | 2,549元 | - 15% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,580,330 ₫ (478元) | 209元 | + 129% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 281,377 ₫ (85元) | 133元 | - 36% | |
40” flat screen tv | 8,625,840 ₫ (2,611元) | 3,093元 | - 16% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,288,680 ₫ (996元) | 723元 | + 38% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 191,994 ₫ (58元) | 36元 | + 61% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | 72,689 ₫ (22元) | 36元 | - 38% | |
Clothes | - 4% | |||
Clothes in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 4% cheaper than in Suzhou, China (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Suzhou, China | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,030,560 ₫ (312元) | 445元 | - 30% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 877,640 ₫ (266元) | 249元 | + 7% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,203,270 ₫ (667元) | 646元 | + 3% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,270,790 ₫ (687元) | 746元 | - 8% | |
Transportation | + 26% | |||
Transportation in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 26% more expensive than in Suzhou, China (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Suzhou, China | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,040,750,000 ₫ (315,063元) | 151,549元 | + 108% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 27,526 ₫ (8元) | 8元 | + 7% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | 136,932 ₫ (41元) | 98元 | - 58% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 135,332 ₫ (41元) | 30元 | + 36% | |
Personal Care | - 53% | |||
Personal Care in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 53% cheaper than in Suzhou, China (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Suzhou, China | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 43,639 ₫ (13元) | 80元 | - 84% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 122,285 ₫ (37元) | 47元 | - 21% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 782,378 ₫ (237元) | 508元 | - 53% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 105,182 ₫ (32元) | 73元 | - 57% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 61,999 ₫ (19元) | 49元 | - 61% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 84,163 ₫ (25元) | 38元 | - 34% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | 30,216 ₫ (9元) | 10元 | - 12% | |
Tube of toothpaste | 20,886 ₫ (6元) | 14元 | - 56% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 95,691 ₫ (29元) | 67元 | - 57% | |
Entertainment | - 44% | |||
Entertainment in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) is 44% cheaper than in Suzhou, China (China) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Ho Chi Minh City | Suzhou, China | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 474,704 ₫ (144元) | 176元 | - 19% | |
2 tickets to the movies | 180,825 ₫ (55元) | 108元 | - 50% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 527,033 ₫ (160元) | 1,056元 | - 85% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 627,883 ₫ (190元) | 481元 | - 60% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 172,204 ₫ (52元) | 71元 | - 27% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 49,070 ₫ (15元) | 34元 | - 57% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 24,292 ₫ (7元) | 36元 | - 80% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 13,053,100 ₫ (3,952元) | 4,290元 | - 8% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,408 ₫ (0.43元) | 0.77元 | - 44% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | 646,296 ₫ (196元) | 228元 | - 14% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 30,281 ₫ (9元) | 50元 | - 82% | |
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TOTAL | - 16% |

These prices were last updated on May 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00030
CNY
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 22,000元 in Suzhou, China you would need to make just about 18,520元 (61,176,559 ₫) in Ho Chi Minh City.
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