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Ho Chi Minh City vs Manila cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City
🇵🇠ManilaHo Chi Minh City is 23% cheaper than Manila
Living on $1,628 a month in Ho Chi Minh City feels like about $1,616 in Manila — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$63.9 vs $94.2
Per month
$1,628 vs $1,616
Local meal
₫ 55,000 vs ₱ 180
$2.09 vs $3.16
Taxi 5 km
₫ 90,000 vs ₱ 130
$3.42 vs $2.28
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 27% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 23% cheaper
TransportManila 12% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 26% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 13% cheaper
- Where Manila is clearly cheaper: Taxi (33%↓)
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Hotel night (44%↓), Coffee (35%↓), Local meal (34%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Ho Chi Minh City | Manila | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | ₱ 180$3.16 | Ho Chi Minh City −34% |
| Street food1 item | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | ₱ 81$1.42 | Ho Chi Minh City −33% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₫ 250,000$9.51 | ₱ 600$10.5 | Ho Chi Minh City −10% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | ₱ 150$2.63 | Ho Chi Minh City −35% |
| Beerone bottle | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | ₱ 90$1.58 | Ho Chi Minh City −16% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | ₱ 230$4.04 | Ho Chi Minh City −14% |
| Bottled water | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | ₱ 25$0.44 | Ho Chi Minh City −31% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | ₱ 63$1.11 | Ho Chi Minh City −31% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₫ 90,000$3.42 | ₱ 130$2.28 | Manila −33% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | ₱ 86$1.51 | similar |
| Transitone ride | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | ₱ 15$0.26 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ₱ 460$8.07 | Ho Chi Minh City −25% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | ₱ 3,500$61.4 | Ho Chi Minh City −44% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | ₱ 28,000$491 | Manila −8% |
| Laundry | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | ₱ 86$1.51 | Ho Chi Minh City −19% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ₱ 340$5.96 | similar |
| Haircutcut | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | ₱ 180$3.16 | Manila −13% |
| Massage1 hour | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | ₱ 510$8.95 | Manila −13% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | ₱ 2,000$35.1 | Ho Chi Minh City −27% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | ₱ 340$5.96 | Ho Chi Minh City −17% |
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, Ho Chi Minh City or Manila?
Ho Chi Minh City is 23% cheaper than Manila. Daily budget $63.9 vs $94.2; a month $1,628 vs $1,616.
How do monthly costs compare between Ho Chi Minh City and Manila?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Ho Chi Minh City is about $1,628 and Manila about $1,616 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.