Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Ho Chi Minh City vs Washington, D.C.
Ho Chi Minh City vs Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.Ho Chi Minh City is 457% cheaper than Washington, D.C.
Living on $1,628 a month in Ho Chi Minh City feels like about $8,052 in Washington, D.C. β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$63.9 vs $396
Per month
$1,628 vs $8,052
Local meal
β« 55,000 vs $ 17
$2.09 vs $17
Taxi 5 km
β« 90,000 vs $ 18
$3.42 vs $18
At a glance
FoodHo Chi Minh City 86% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksHo Chi Minh City 80% cheaper
TransportHo Chi Minh City 85% 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 | Washington, D.C. | 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 | $ 48$48 | Ho Chi Minh City β80% |
| 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 | $ 18$18 | Ho Chi Minh City β81% |
| 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$2 | Ho Chi Minh City β87% |
| Scooter rentalper day | β« 160,000$6.08 | $ 60$60 | Ho Chi Minh City β90% |
| Hotel night3-star | β« 900,000$34.2 | $ 230$230 | Ho Chi Minh City β85% |
| 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 Washington, D.C.?
Ho Chi Minh City is 457% cheaper than Washington, D.C.. Daily budget $63.9 vs $396; a month $1,628 vs $8,052.
How do monthly costs compare between Ho Chi Minh City and Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Ho Chi Minh City is about $1,628 and Washington, D.C. about $8,052 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.