Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
| Item | Bali | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | Rp 35,000$2.15 | â‚« 55,000$2.09 | similar |
| Street food1 item | Rp 16,000$0.98 | â‚« 25,000$0.95 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | Rp 180,000$11 | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City −14% |
| Coffeeone cup | Rp 40,000$2.45 | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City −30% |
| Beerone bottle | Rp 45,000$2.76 | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City −52% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | Rp 120,000$7.36 | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City −53% |
| Bottled water | Rp 5,000$0.31 | â‚« 8,000$0.3 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | Rp 13,000$0.8 | â‚« 20,000$0.76 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | Rp 30,000$1.84 | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | Bali −46% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | Rp 28,000$1.72 | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City −11% |
| Transitone ride | Rp 10,000$0.61 | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City −57% |
| Scooter rentalper day | Rp 110,000$6.75 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −10% |
| Hotel night3-star | Rp 700,000$42.9 | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −20% |
| Studio rent (month) | Rp 8,000,000$491 | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | Bali −8% |
| Laundry | Rp 22,000$1.35 | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | Ho Chi Minh City −10% |
| SIM card1 week data | Rp 110,000$6.75 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −10% |
| Haircutcut | Rp 59,000$3.62 | â‚« 95,000$3.61 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | Rp 170,000$10.4 | â‚« 270,000$10.3 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | Rp 560,000$34.4 | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | Ho Chi Minh City −26% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | Rp 110,000$6.75 | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | Ho Chi Minh City −27% |
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%+.
Ho Chi Minh City is 9% cheaper than Bali. Daily budget $71.9 vs $63.9; a month $1,765 vs $1,628.
With a short-term studio and living costs, Bali is about $1,765 and Ho Chi Minh City about $1,628 per month.
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.