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Cusco 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
🇵🇪 Cusco
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City is 18% cheaper than Cusco
Living on $1,592 a month in Cusco 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
$1,592 vs $1,628
Local meal
S/ 15 vs â‚« 55,000
$4.05 vs $2.09
Taxi 5 km
S/ 15 vs â‚« 90,000
$4.05 vs $3.42
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 43% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 40% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 36% cheaper
Staysimilar
FunHo Chi Minh City 54% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (74%↓), Haircut (66%↓), Massage (65%↓)
- Where Cusco is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (34%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Cusco | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | S/ 15$4.05 | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | Ho Chi Minh City −48% |
| Street food1 item | S/ 6.8$1.84 | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | Ho Chi Minh City −48% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | S/ 52$14.1 | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City −32% |
| Coffeeone cup | S/ 9$2.43 | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City −30% |
| Beerone bottle | S/ 9$2.43 | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City −45% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | S/ 23$6.22 | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City −44% |
| Bottled water | S/ 2$0.54 | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −44% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | S/ 5$1.35 | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | Ho Chi Minh City −44% |
| Taxi5 km in town | S/ 15$4.05 | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | Ho Chi Minh City −16% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | S/ 13$3.51 | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City −57% |
| Transitone ride | S/ 1.5$0.41 | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City −34% |
| Scooter rentalper day | S/ 85$23 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −74% |
| Hotel night3-star | S/ 220$59.5 | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −42% |
| Studio rent (month) | S/ 1,300$351 | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | Cusco −34% |
| Laundry | S/ 7.5$2.03 | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | Ho Chi Minh City −40% |
| SIM card1 week data | S/ 30$8.11 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −25% |
| Haircutcut | S/ 39$10.5 | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | Ho Chi Minh City −66% |
| Massage1 hour | S/ 110$29.7 | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −65% |
| Half-day tourper person | S/ 170$45.9 | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | Ho Chi Minh City −45% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | S/ 37$10 | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | Ho Chi Minh City −51% |
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, Cusco or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is 18% cheaper than Cusco. Daily budget $103 vs $63.9; a month $1,592 vs $1,628.
How do monthly costs compare between Cusco and Ho Chi Minh City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Cusco is about $1,592 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.