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Chengdu 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
🇨🇳 Chengdu
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City is 26% cheaper than Chengdu
Living on $1,909 a month in Chengdu feels like about $1,628 in Ho Chi Minh City — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$103 vs $63.9
Per month
$1,909 vs $1,628
Local meal
¥ 25 vs ₫ 55,000
$3.52 vs $2.09
Taxi 5 km
¥ 25 vs ₫ 90,000
$3.52 vs $3.42
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 37% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 54% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 19% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 23% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 55% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Haircut (71%↓), Massage (71%↓), Entry ticket (59%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Chengdu | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ¥ 25$3.52 | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | Ho Chi Minh City −41% |
| Street food1 item | ¥ 11$1.55 | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | Ho Chi Minh City −39% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ¥ 99$13.9 | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City −32% |
| Coffeeone cup | ¥ 25$3.52 | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City −51% |
| Beerone bottle | ¥ 21$2.96 | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City −55% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ¥ 55$7.75 | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City −55% |
| Bottled water | ¥ 3$0.42 | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −28% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ¥ 7.5$1.06 | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | Ho Chi Minh City −28% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ¥ 25$3.52 | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ¥ 21$2.96 | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City −49% |
| Transitone ride | ¥ 2$0.28 | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City −6% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ¥ 85$12 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −49% |
| Hotel night3-star | ¥ 430$60.6 | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −43% |
| Studio rent (month) | ¥ 3,900$549 | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | similar |
| Laundry | ¥ 14$1.97 | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | Ho Chi Minh City −38% |
| SIM card1 week data | ¥ 71$10 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −39% |
| Haircutcut | ¥ 88$12.4 | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | Ho Chi Minh City −71% |
| Massage1 hour | ¥ 250$35.2 | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −71% |
| Half-day tourper person | ¥ 280$39.4 | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | Ho Chi Minh City −35% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ¥ 85$12 | ₫ 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, Chengdu or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is 26% cheaper than Chengdu. Daily budget $103 vs $63.9; a month $1,909 vs $1,628.
How do monthly costs compare between Chengdu and Ho Chi Minh City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chengdu is about $1,909 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.