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Edinburgh 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
🇬🇧 Edinburgh
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City is 75% cheaper than Edinburgh
Living on $5,628 a month in Edinburgh feels like about $1,628 in Ho Chi Minh City — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$308 vs $63.9
Per month
$5,628 vs $1,628
Local meal
£ 12 vs ₫ 55,000
$16.2 vs $2.09
Taxi 5 km
£ 9 vs ₫ 90,000
$12.2 vs $3.42
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 83% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 72% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 82% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 74% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 77% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Transit (90%↓), Local meal (87%↓), Street food (87%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Edinburgh | Ho Chi Minh City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | £ 12$16.2 | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | Ho Chi Minh City −87% |
| Street food1 item | £ 5.4$7.3 | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | Ho Chi Minh City −87% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | £ 28$37.8 | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | Ho Chi Minh City −75% |
| Coffeeone cup | £ 3$4.05 | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | Ho Chi Minh City −58% |
| Beerone bottle | £ 4.5$6.08 | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | Ho Chi Minh City −78% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | £ 12$16.2 | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | Ho Chi Minh City −79% |
| Bottled water | £ 1.5$2.03 | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −85% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | £ 3.8$5.14 | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | Ho Chi Minh City −85% |
| Taxi5 km in town | £ 9$12.2 | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | Ho Chi Minh City −72% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | £ 7.5$10.1 | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | Ho Chi Minh City −85% |
| Transitone ride | £ 2$2.7 | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | Ho Chi Minh City −90% |
| Scooter rentalper day | £ 33$44.6 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −86% |
| Hotel night3-star | £ 130$176 | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −81% |
| Studio rent (month) | £ 1,200$1,622 | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | Ho Chi Minh City −67% |
| Laundry | £ 3$4.05 | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | Ho Chi Minh City −70% |
| SIM card1 week data | £ 11$14.9 | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | Ho Chi Minh City −59% |
| Haircutcut | £ 20$27 | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | Ho Chi Minh City −87% |
| Massage1 hour | £ 56$75.7 | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | Ho Chi Minh City −86% |
| Half-day tourper person | £ 52$70.3 | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | Ho Chi Minh City −64% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | £ 18$24.3 | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | Ho Chi Minh City −80% |
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, Edinburgh or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is 75% cheaper than Edinburgh. Daily budget $308 vs $63.9; a month $5,628 vs $1,628.
How do monthly costs compare between Edinburgh and Ho Chi Minh City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Edinburgh is about $5,628 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.