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Ho Chi Minh City vs Penang 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
🇲🇾 PenangHo Chi Minh City and Penang cost about the same
Living on $1,628 a month in Ho Chi Minh City feels like about $1,413 in Penang — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$63.9 vs $71.3
Per month
$1,628 vs $1,413
Local meal
â‚« 55,000 vs RM 11
$2.09 vs $2.56
Taxi 5 km
â‚« 90,000 vs RM 15
$3.42 vs $3.49
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 12% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHo Chi Minh City 60% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 42% cheaper
StayPenang 5% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 36% cheaper
- Where Penang is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (26%↓)
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Beer (66%↓), Cocktail & wine (66%↓), Transit (54%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Ho Chi Minh City | Penang | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫ 55,000$2.09 | RM 11$2.56 | Ho Chi Minh City −18% |
| Street food1 item | ₫ 25,000$0.95 | RM 5$1.16 | Ho Chi Minh City −18% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | â‚« 250,000$9.51 | RM 39$9.07 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | RM 11$2.56 | Ho Chi Minh City −33% |
| Beerone bottle | ₫ 35,000$1.33 | RM 17$3.95 | Ho Chi Minh City −66% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | RM 44$10.2 | Ho Chi Minh City −66% |
| Bottled water | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | RM 1.5$0.35 | Ho Chi Minh City −13% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | RM 3.8$0.88 | Ho Chi Minh City −14% |
| Taxi5 km in town | â‚« 90,000$3.42 | RM 15$3.49 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | RM 13$3.02 | Ho Chi Minh City −50% |
| Transitone ride | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | RM 2.5$0.58 | Ho Chi Minh City −54% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | RM 43$10 | Ho Chi Minh City −39% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₫ 900,000$34.2 | RM 170$39.5 | Ho Chi Minh City −13% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₫ 14,000,000$532 | RM 1,700$395 | Penang −26% |
| Laundry | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | RM 8.5$1.98 | Ho Chi Minh City −38% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | RM 30$6.98 | Ho Chi Minh City −13% |
| Haircutcut | ₫ 95,000$3.61 | RM 27$6.28 | Ho Chi Minh City −42% |
| Massage1 hour | ₫ 270,000$10.3 | RM 77$17.9 | Ho Chi Minh City −43% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫ 670,000$25.5 | RM 150$34.9 | Ho Chi Minh City −27% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | RM 34$7.91 | Ho Chi Minh City −37% |
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 Penang?
Ho Chi Minh City and Penang cost about the same. Daily budget $63.9 vs $71.3; a month $1,628 vs $1,413.
How do monthly costs compare between Ho Chi Minh City and Penang?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Ho Chi Minh City is about $1,628 and Penang about $1,413 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.