Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities › Athens vs Ho Chi Minh City
Athens vs Ho Chi Minh City cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇬🇷 Athens
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City is 60% cheaper than Athens
Living on $3,351 a month in Athens feels like about $1,628 in Ho Chi Minh City — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$210 vs $63.9
Per month
$3,351 vs $1,628
Local meal
€ 11 vs ₫ 55,000
$12.8 vs $2.09
Taxi 5 km
€ 7.5 vs ₫ 90,000
$8.72 vs $3.42
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 78% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 67% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 73% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 51% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 65% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Local meal (84%↓), Street food (84%↓), Convenience store (83%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Athens | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | € 11$12.8 | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | Ho Chi Minh City −84% |
| Street food1 item | € 5$5.81 | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | Ho Chi Minh City −84% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | € 24$27.9 | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City −66% |
| Coffeeone cup | € 3$3.49 | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City −51% |
| Beerone bottle | € 4.5$5.23 | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City −75% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | € 12$14 | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City −75% |
| Bottled water | € 1.5$1.74 | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −83% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | € 3.8$4.42 | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | Ho Chi Minh City −83% |
| Taxi5 km in town | € 7.5$8.72 | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | Ho Chi Minh City −61% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | € 7$8.14 | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City −81% |
| Transitone ride | € 1$1.16 | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City −77% |
| Scooter rentalper day | € 26$30.2 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −80% |
| Hotel night3-star | € 95$110 | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −69% |
| Studio rent (month) | € 690$802 | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | Ho Chi Minh City −34% |
| Laundry | € 3$3.49 | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | Ho Chi Minh City −65% |
| SIM card1 week data | € 13$15.1 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −60% |
| Haircutcut | € 14$16.3 | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | Ho Chi Minh City −78% |
| Massage1 hour | € 39$45.3 | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −77% |
| Half-day tourper person | € 43$50 | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | Ho Chi Minh City −49% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | € 13$15.1 | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | Ho Chi Minh City −67% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Athens or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is 60% cheaper than Athens. Daily budget $210 vs $63.9; a month $3,351 vs $1,628.
How do monthly costs compare between Athens and Ho Chi Minh City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Athens is about $3,351 and Ho Chi Minh City about $1,628 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.