Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities › Barcelona vs Ho Chi Minh City
Barcelona 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
🇪🇸 Barcelona
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City is 71% cheaper than Barcelona
Living on $4,840 a month in Barcelona feels like about $1,628 in Ho Chi Minh City — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$267 vs $63.9
Per month
$4,840 vs $1,628
Local meal
€ 12 vs ₫ 55,000
$14 vs $2.09
Taxi 5 km
€ 10 vs ₫ 90,000
$11.6 vs $3.42
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 80% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 55% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 80% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 70% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 66% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Transit (89%↓), Local meal (85%↓), Street food (85%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Barcelona | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | € 12$14 | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | Ho Chi Minh City −85% |
| Street food1 item | € 5.4$6.28 | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | Ho Chi Minh City −85% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | € 28$32.6 | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City −71% |
| Coffeeone cup | € 2.5$2.91 | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City −41% |
| Beerone bottle | € 3$3.49 | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City −62% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | € 7.8$9.07 | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City −62% |
| 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 | € 10$11.6 | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | Ho Chi Minh City −71% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | € 7$8.14 | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City −81% |
| Transitone ride | € 2$2.33 | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City −89% |
| Scooter rentalper day | € 30$34.9 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −83% |
| Hotel night3-star | € 130$151 | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −77% |
| Studio rent (month) | € 1,200$1,395 | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | Ho Chi Minh City −62% |
| 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 | € 16$18.6 | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | Ho Chi Minh City −81% |
| Massage1 hour | € 47$54.7 | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −81% |
| 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, Barcelona or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is 71% cheaper than Barcelona. Daily budget $267 vs $63.9; a month $4,840 vs $1,628.
How do monthly costs compare between Barcelona and Ho Chi Minh City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Barcelona is about $4,840 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.