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Compare cities βΊ Ho Chi Minh City vs San Francisco
Ho Chi Minh City vs San Francisco 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 FranciscoHo Chi Minh City is 560% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $1,628 a month in Ho Chi Minh City feels like about $10,236 in San Francisco β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$63.9 vs $442
Per month
$1,628 vs $10,236
Local meal
β« 55,000 vs $ 20
$2.09 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
β« 90,000 vs $ 21
$3.42 vs $21
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 88% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksHo Chi Minh City 82% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 88% cheaper
StayHo Chi Minh City 85% 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 | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | β« 55,000$2.09 | $ 20$20 | Ho Chi Minh City β90% |
| Street food1 item | β« 25,000$0.95 | $ 9$9 | Ho Chi Minh City β89% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | β« 250,000$9.51 | $ 55$55 | Ho Chi Minh City β83% |
| Coffeeone cup | β« 45,000$1.71 | $ 6$6 | Ho Chi Minh City β71% |
| Beerone bottle | β« 35,000$1.33 | $ 9$9 | Ho Chi Minh City β85% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | β« 91,000$3.46 | $ 23$23 | Ho Chi Minh City β85% |
| Bottled water | β« 8,000$0.3 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Ho Chi Minh City β88% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | β« 20,000$0.76 | $ 6.3$6.3 | Ho Chi Minh City β88% |
| Taxi5 km in town | β« 90,000$3.42 | $ 21$21 | Ho Chi Minh City β84% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | β« 40,000$1.52 | $ 13$13 | Ho Chi Minh City β88% |
| Transitone ride | β« 7,000$0.27 | $ 2.75$2.75 | Ho Chi Minh City β90% |
| Scooter rentalper day | β« 160,000$6.08 | $ 67$67 | Ho Chi Minh City β91% |
| Hotel night3-star | β« 900,000$34.2 | $ 250$250 | Ho Chi Minh City β86% |
| Studio rent (month) | β« 14,000,000$532 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Ho Chi Minh City β84% |
| Laundry | β« 32,000$1.22 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Ho Chi Minh City β73% |
| SIM card1 week data | β« 160,000$6.08 | $ 28$28 | Ho Chi Minh City β78% |
| 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 | $ 28$28 | Ho Chi Minh City β82% |
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 Francisco?
Ho Chi Minh City is 560% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $63.9 vs $442; a month $1,628 vs $10,236.
How do monthly costs compare between Ho Chi Minh City and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Ho Chi Minh City is about $1,628 and San Francisco about $10,236 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.