Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Austin vs Ho Chi Minh City
Austin vs Ho Chi Minh City cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Austin
π»π³ Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City is 76% cheaper than Austin
Living on $5,920 a month in Austin feels like about $1,628 in Ho Chi Minh City β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$310 vs $63.9
Per month
$5,920 vs $1,628
Local meal
$ 15 vs β« 55,000
$15 vs $2.09
Taxi 5 km
$ 16 vs β« 90,000
$16 vs $3.42
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 82% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksHo Chi Minh City 75% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 81% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 74% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 79% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (89%β), Haircut (89%β), Massage (89%β)
Item by item
| Item | Austin | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 15$15 | β« 55,000$2.09 | Ho Chi Minh City β86% |
| Street food1 item | $ 6.8$6.8 | β« 25,000$0.95 | Ho Chi Minh City β86% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 38$38 | β« 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City β75% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | β« 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City β66% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6.5$6.5 | β« 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City β80% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 17$17 | β« 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City β80% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | β« 8,000$0.3 | Ho Chi Minh City β85% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | β« 20,000$0.76 | Ho Chi Minh City β85% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 16$16 | β« 90,000$3.42 | Ho Chi Minh City β79% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | β« 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City β86% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.25$1.25 | β« 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City β79% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 56$56 | β« 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City β89% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 170$170 | β« 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City β80% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,700$1,700 | β« 14,000,000$532 | Ho Chi Minh City β69% |
| Laundry | $ 3.5$3.5 | β« 32,000$1.22 | Ho Chi Minh City β65% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 23$23 | β« 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City β74% |
| Haircutcut | $ 33$33 | β« 95,000$3.61 | Ho Chi Minh City β89% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 93$93 | β« 270,000$10.3 | Ho Chi Minh City β89% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 84$84 | β« 670,000$25.5 | Ho Chi Minh City β70% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 23$23 | β« 130,000$4.94 | Ho Chi Minh City β79% |
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, Austin or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is 76% cheaper than Austin. Daily budget $310 vs $63.9; a month $5,920 vs $1,628.
How do monthly costs compare between Austin and Ho Chi Minh City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Austin is about $5,920 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.