Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Ho Chi Minh City vs New Orleans
Ho Chi Minh City vs New Orleans cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
π»π³ Ho Chi Minh City
πΊπΈ New OrleansHo Chi Minh City is 330% cheaper than New Orleans
Living on $1,628 a month in Ho Chi Minh City feels like about $6,083 in New Orleans β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$63.9 vs $310
Per month
$1,628 vs $6,083
Local meal
β« 55,000 vs $ 15
$2.09 vs $15
Taxi 5 km
β« 90,000 vs $ 15
$3.42 vs $15
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 84% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksHo Chi Minh City 75% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 83% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 74% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 85% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (91%β), Haircut (91%β), Massage (91%β)
Item by item
| Item | Ho Chi Minh City | New Orleans | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | β« 55,000$2.09 | $ 15$15 | Ho Chi Minh City β86% |
| Street food1 item | β« 25,000$0.95 | $ 6.8$6.8 | Ho Chi Minh City β86% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | β« 250,000$9.51 | $ 40$40 | Ho Chi Minh City β76% |
| Coffeeone cup | β« 45,000$1.71 | $ 5$5 | Ho Chi Minh City β66% |
| Beerone bottle | β« 35,000$1.33 | $ 6$6 | Ho Chi Minh City β78% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | β« 91,000$3.46 | $ 16$16 | Ho Chi Minh City β78% |
| Bottled water | β« 8,000$0.3 | $ 2$2 | Ho Chi Minh City β85% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | β« 20,000$0.76 | $ 5$5 | Ho Chi Minh City β85% |
| Taxi5 km in town | β« 90,000$3.42 | $ 15$15 | Ho Chi Minh City β77% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | β« 40,000$1.52 | $ 14$14 | Ho Chi Minh City β89% |
| Transitone ride | β« 7,000$0.27 | $ 1$1 | Ho Chi Minh City β73% |
| Scooter rentalper day | β« 160,000$6.08 | $ 69$69 | Ho Chi Minh City β91% |
| Hotel night3-star | β« 900,000$34.2 | $ 170$170 | Ho Chi Minh City β80% |
| Studio rent (month) | β« 14,000,000$532 | $ 1,500$1,500 | Ho Chi Minh City β65% |
| Laundry | β« 32,000$1.22 | $ 4$4 | Ho Chi Minh City β70% |
| SIM card1 week data | β« 160,000$6.08 | $ 25$25 | Ho Chi Minh City β76% |
| Haircutcut | β« 95,000$3.61 | $ 39$39 | Ho Chi Minh City β91% |
| Massage1 hour | β« 270,000$10.3 | $ 110$110 | Ho Chi Minh City β91% |
| Half-day tourper person | β« 670,000$25.5 | $ 100$100 | Ho Chi Minh City β75% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | β« 130,000$4.94 | $ 25$25 | Ho Chi Minh City β80% |
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 New Orleans?
Ho Chi Minh City is 330% cheaper than New Orleans. Daily budget $63.9 vs $310; a month $1,628 vs $6,083.
How do monthly costs compare between Ho Chi Minh City and New Orleans?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Ho Chi Minh City is about $1,628 and New Orleans about $6,083 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.