Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Boston vs Ho Chi Minh City
Boston 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 Boston
π»π³ Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City is 84% cheaper than Boston
Living on $9,315 a month in Boston feels like about $1,628 in Ho Chi Minh City β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$427 vs $63.9
Per month
$9,315 vs $1,628
Local meal
$ 18 vs β« 55,000
$18 vs $2.09
Taxi 5 km
$ 20 vs β« 90,000
$20 vs $3.42
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 86% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksHo Chi Minh City 79% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 87% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 84% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 81% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (90%β), Massage (90%β), Haircut (90%β)
Item by item
| Item | Boston | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | β« 55,000$2.09 | Ho Chi Minh City β88% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8.1$8.1 | β« 25,000$0.95 | Ho Chi Minh City β88% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 50$50 | β« 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City β81% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | β« 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City β69% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | β« 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City β83% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | β« 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City β84% |
| 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 | $ 20$20 | β« 90,000$3.42 | Ho Chi Minh City β83% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | β« 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City β87% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | β« 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City β89% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 60$60 | β« 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City β90% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 250$250 | β« 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City β86% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,000$3,000 | β« 14,000,000$532 | Ho Chi Minh City β82% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | β« 32,000$1.22 | Ho Chi Minh City β70% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | β« 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City β76% |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | β« 95,000$3.61 | Ho Chi Minh City β90% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | β« 270,000$10.3 | Ho Chi Minh City β90% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 90$90 | β« 670,000$25.5 | Ho Chi Minh City β72% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | β« 130,000$4.94 | Ho Chi Minh City β80% |
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, Boston or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is 84% cheaper than Boston. Daily budget $427 vs $63.9; a month $9,315 vs $1,628.
How do monthly costs compare between Boston and Ho Chi Minh City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Boston is about $9,315 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.