Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Ho Chi Minh City vs San Diego
Ho Chi Minh City vs San Diego 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 San DiegoHo Chi Minh City is 434% cheaper than San Diego
Living on $1,628 a month in Ho Chi Minh City feels like about $7,995 in San Diego β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$63.9 vs $369
Per month
$1,628 vs $7,995
Local meal
β« 55,000 vs $ 17
$2.09 vs $17
Taxi 5 km
β« 90,000 vs $ 17
$3.42 vs $17
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 86% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksHo Chi Minh City 80% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 87% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 82% cheaper
FunHo Chi Minh City 84% cheaper
- Where Ho Chi Minh City is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (90%β), Massage (90%β), Haircut (90%β)
Item by item
| Item | Ho Chi Minh City | San Diego | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | β« 55,000$2.09 | $ 17$17 | Ho Chi Minh City β88% |
| Street food1 item | β« 25,000$0.95 | $ 7.7$7.7 | Ho Chi Minh City β88% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | β« 250,000$9.51 | $ 45$45 | Ho Chi Minh City β79% |
| Coffeeone cup | β« 45,000$1.71 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Ho Chi Minh City β69% |
| Beerone bottle | β« 35,000$1.33 | $ 8$8 | Ho Chi Minh City β83% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | β« 91,000$3.46 | $ 21$21 | Ho Chi Minh City β84% |
| 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 | $ 17$17 | Ho Chi Minh City β80% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | β« 40,000$1.52 | $ 12$12 | Ho Chi Minh City β87% |
| Transitone ride | β« 7,000$0.27 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Ho Chi Minh City β89% |
| Scooter rentalper day | β« 160,000$6.08 | $ 60$60 | Ho Chi Minh City β90% |
| Hotel night3-star | β« 900,000$34.2 | $ 210$210 | Ho Chi Minh City β84% |
| Studio rent (month) | β« 14,000,000$532 | $ 2,500$2,500 | Ho Chi Minh City β79% |
| 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 | $ 35$35 | Ho Chi Minh City β90% |
| Massage1 hour | β« 270,000$10.3 | $ 100$100 | Ho Chi Minh City β90% |
| Half-day tourper person | β« 670,000$25.5 | $ 90$90 | Ho Chi Minh City β72% |
| 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 San Diego?
Ho Chi Minh City is 434% cheaper than San Diego. Daily budget $63.9 vs $369; a month $1,628 vs $7,995.
How do monthly costs compare between Ho Chi Minh City and San Diego?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Ho Chi Minh City is about $1,628 and San Diego about $7,995 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.