Cost of living in Vietnam compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 70% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Vietnam is 70% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 87,926 ₫ ($3.37) | $22 | - 84% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 111,107 ₫ ($4.25) | $12 | - 65% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 49,559 ₫ ($1.90) | $5.96 | - 68% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 37,432 ₫ ($1.43) | $1.09 | + 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 49,985 ₫ ($1.91) | $5.71 | - 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 28,364 ₫ ($1.09) | $4.81 | - 77% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 232,598 ₫ ($9) | $8 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 56,357 ₫ ($2.16) | $4.15 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 28,037 ₫ ($1.07) | $2.23 | - 52% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 15,561 ₫ ($0.60) | $3.93 | - 85% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 291,228 ₫ ($11) | $18 | - 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 28,847 ₫ ($1.10) | $3.01 | - 63% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 15,757 ₫ ($0.60) | $2.99 | - 80% | |
| Housing | - 79% | |||
| Housing in Vietnam is 79% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 21,224,800 ₫ ($813) | $2,999 | - 73% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 11,492,200 ₫ ($440) | $2,329 | - 81% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,414,460 ₫ ($54) | $241 | - 78% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 9,883,800 ₫ ($378) | $2,217 | - 83% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 6,451,720 ₫ ($247) | $1,631 | - 85% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 1,226,160 ₫ ($47) | $169 | - 72% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 257,204 ₫ ($10) | $61 | - 84% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 7,331,050 ₫ ($281) | $250 | + 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 3,137,940 ₫ ($120) | $144 | - 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 143,140 ₫ ($5.48) | $15 | - 64% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 72,420 ₫ ($2.77) | $34 | - 92% | |
| Clothes | - 30% | |||
| Clothes in Vietnam is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,240,820 ₫ ($48) | $58 | - 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 907,739 ₫ ($35) | $50 | - 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 1,926,190 ₫ ($74) | $105 | - 30% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 1,606,060 ₫ ($62) | $138 | - 55% | |
| 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 | 751,050,000 ₫ ($28,760) | $31,214 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 23,694 ₫ ($0.91) | $0.93 | - 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 170,455 ₫ ($7) | $88 | - 93% | |
| Personal Care | - 70% | |||
| Personal Care in Vietnam is 70% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 65,284 ₫ ($2.50) | $10 | - 74% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 120,947 ₫ ($4.63) | $25 | - 81% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 895,711 ₫ ($34) | $171 | - 80% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 75,846 ₫ ($2.90) | $9 | - 69% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 94,088 ₫ ($3.60) | $5.31 | - 32% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 88,810 ₫ ($3.40) | $7 | - 54% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 32,359 ₫ ($1.24) | $5.17 | - 76% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 36,364 ₫ ($1.39) | $2.44 | - 43% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 184,459 ₫ ($7) | $32 | - 78% | |
| Entertainment | - 74% | |||
| Entertainment in Vietnam is 74% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Vietnam | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 342,287 ₫ ($13) | $60 | - 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 243,915 ₫ ($9) | $30 | - 69% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,048,140 ₫ ($40) | $236 | - 83% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 591,088 ₫ ($23) | $104 | - 78% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 178,419 ₫ ($7) | $15 | - 54% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 57,404 ₫ ($2.20) | $6 | - 64% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 51,820 ₫ ($1.98) | $8 | - 74% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 11,000,500 ₫ ($421) | $458 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1,583 ₫ ($0.06) | $0.52 | - 88% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 714,558 ₫ ($27) | $70 | - 61% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 32,458 ₫ ($1.24) | $11 | - 89% | |
| TOTAL | - 71% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 15,415 prices entered by 1,722 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00004
USD
/
VND
Cost of living in Vietnam is 71% cheaper than in United States
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