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Compare cities βΊ Cape Town vs Ho Chi Minh City
Cape Town 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
πΏπ¦ Cape Town
π»π³ Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City is 60% cheaper than Cape Town
Living on $3,555 a month in Cape Town feels like about $1,628 in Ho Chi Minh City β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$186 vs $63.9
Per month
$3,555 vs $1,628
Local meal
R 160 vs β« 55,000
$9.14 vs $2.09
Taxi 5 km
R 100 vs β« 90,000
$5.71 vs $3.42
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 72% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksHo Chi Minh City 41% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 63% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 55% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 61% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (79%β), Local meal (77%β), Street food (77%β)
Item by item
| Item | Cape Town | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | R 160$9.14 | β« 55,000$2.09 | Ho Chi Minh City β77% |
| Street food1 item | R 72$4.11 | β« 25,000$0.95 | Ho Chi Minh City β77% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | R 440$25.1 | β« 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City β62% |
| Coffeeone cup | R 44$2.51 | β« 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City β32% |
| Beerone bottle | R 44$2.51 | β« 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City β47% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | R 110$6.29 | β« 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City β45% |
| Bottled water | R 19$1.09 | β« 8,000$0.3 | Ho Chi Minh City β72% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | R 48$2.74 | β« 20,000$0.76 | Ho Chi Minh City β72% |
| Taxi5 km in town | R 100$5.71 | β« 90,000$3.42 | Ho Chi Minh City β40% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | R 100$5.71 | β« 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City β73% |
| Transitone ride | R 18$1.03 | β« 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City β74% |
| Scooter rentalper day | R 500$28.6 | β« 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City β79% |
| Hotel night3-star | R 1,900$109 | β« 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City β68% |
| Studio rent (month) | R 16,000$914 | β« 14,000,000$532 | Ho Chi Minh City β42% |
| Laundry | R 44$2.51 | β« 32,000$1.22 | Ho Chi Minh City β52% |
| SIM card1 week data | R 140$8 | β« 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City β24% |
| Haircutcut | R 240$13.7 | β« 95,000$3.61 | Ho Chi Minh City β74% |
| Massage1 hour | R 700$40 | β« 270,000$10.3 | Ho Chi Minh City β74% |
| Half-day tourper person | R 910$52 | β« 670,000$25.5 | Ho Chi Minh City β51% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | R 210$12 | β« 130,000$4.94 | Ho Chi Minh City β59% |
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, Cape Town or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is 60% cheaper than Cape Town. Daily budget $186 vs $63.9; a month $3,555 vs $1,628.
How do monthly costs compare between Cape Town and Ho Chi Minh City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Cape Town is about $3,555 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.