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Budapest 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
ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Budapest
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City is 55% cheaper than Budapest
Living on $2,978 a month in Budapest feels like about $1,628 in Ho Chi Minh City — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$178 vs $63.9
Per month
$2,978 vs $1,628
Local meal
Ft 3,600 vs â‚« 55,000
$10 vs $2.09
Taxi 5 km
Ft 3,600 vs â‚« 90,000
$10 vs $3.42
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 73% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 45% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 73% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 45% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 55% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Local meal (79%↓), Street food (79%↓), Transit (78%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Budapest | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | Ft 3,600$10 | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | Ho Chi Minh City −79% |
| Street food1 item | Ft 1,600$4.44 | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | Ho Chi Minh City −79% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | Ft 9,000$25 | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City −62% |
| Coffeeone cup | Ft 900$2.5 | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City −32% |
| Beerone bottle | Ft 1,000$2.78 | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City −52% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | Ft 2,600$7.22 | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City −52% |
| Bottled water | Ft 430$1.19 | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −75% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | Ft 1,100$3.06 | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | Ho Chi Minh City −75% |
| Taxi5 km in town | Ft 3,600$10 | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | Ho Chi Minh City −66% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | Ft 2,200$6.11 | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City −75% |
| Transitone ride | Ft 430$1.19 | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City −78% |
| Scooter rentalper day | Ft 9,000$25 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −76% |
| Hotel night3-star | Ft 32,000$88.9 | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −62% |
| Studio rent (month) | Ft 270,000$750 | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | Ho Chi Minh City −29% |
| Laundry | Ft 1,100$3.06 | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | Ho Chi Minh City −60% |
| SIM card1 week data | Ft 3,600$10 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −39% |
| Haircutcut | Ft 4,600$12.8 | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | Ho Chi Minh City −72% |
| Massage1 hour | Ft 13,000$36.1 | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −72% |
| Half-day tourper person | Ft 14,000$38.9 | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | Ho Chi Minh City −34% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | Ft 4,300$11.9 | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | Ho Chi Minh City −59% |
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, Budapest or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is 55% cheaper than Budapest. Daily budget $178 vs $63.9; a month $2,978 vs $1,628.
How do monthly costs compare between Budapest and Ho Chi Minh City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Budapest is about $2,978 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.