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Cost of Living in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam · Population 15,136,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Vietnam average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)₫13,098,278 ($516)
Couple, monthly₫23,586,631 ($929)
Family of four, monthly₫30,829,828 ($1,214)

Estimated Prices in Ho Chi Minh City

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant₫128,778 ($5.07)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range₫515,112 ($20.28)per meal
Cappuccino₫38,633 ($1.52)each
Monthly groceries (single person)₫2,918,968 ($115)per month
Monthly public transport pass₫472,186 ($18.59)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment₫1,244,854 ($49.01)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)₫360,578 ($14.20)per month
Fitness club membership₫360,578 ($14.20)per month
Cinema ticket₫94,437 ($3.72)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre₫6,487,550 ($255)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre₫4,513,078 ($178)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre₫13,539,235 ($533)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Ho Chi Minh City is ₫15,849,600 ($624) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ₫13,098,278 ($516) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ₫17,027,762 ($670) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (₫4,513,078 ($178)) represents about 34% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City vs HanoiHo Chi Minh City vs Cần ThơHo Chi Minh City vs HaiphongHo Chi Minh City vs Biên HòaHo Chi Minh City vs Thủ ĐứcHo Chi Minh City vs Huế

Nearby Cities

Thủ Đức

11 km away · Hồ Chí Minh

Tân An

14 km away · Hồ Chí Minh

Dĩ An

15 km away · Bình Dương

Bình Hòa

15 km away · Bình Dương

Tân Vạn

20 km away · Bình Dương

Hiệp Hòa

22 km away · Đồng Nai

Bửu Long

23 km away · Đồng Nai

Biên Hòa

23 km away · Đồng Nai

Other Major Cities in Vietnam

Hanoi

Hà Nội · pop. 8,717,600

₫12,879,576 ($507) / mo

Cần Thơ

Cần Thơ · pop. 3,207,000

₫11,358,348 ($447) / mo

Haiphong

Hải Phòng · pop. 2,124,500

₫11,358,348 ($447) / mo

Biên Hòa

Đồng Nai · pop. 1,104,000

₫11,358,348 ($447) / mo

Thủ Đức

Hồ Chí Minh · pop. 1,013,795

₫11,358,348 ($447) / mo

Huế

Thừa Thiên-Huế · pop. 652,572

₫10,497,082 ($413) / mo

Tân An

Hồ Chí Minh · pop. 618,984

₫10,497,082 ($413) / mo

Bắc Ninh

Bắc Ninh · pop. 520,000

₫10,497,082 ($413) / mo

Living in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is the capital and one of the key cities in Vietnam. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ₫13,098,278 ($516), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ₫4,513,078 ($178) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ₫30,829,828 ($1,214) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ₫23,586,631 ($929) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Ho Chi Minh City is ₫15,849,600 ($624). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ₫17,027,762 ($670) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ho Chi Minh City expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ₫13,098,278 ($516) per month in Ho Chi Minh City including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Vietnam.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Ho Chi Minh City?
A net salary of around ₫17,027,762 ($670) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Ho Chi Minh City with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Ho Chi Minh City is ₫15,849,600 ($624).
How much is rent in Ho Chi Minh City?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ₫6,487,550 ($255) per month in the city centre and ₫4,513,078 ($178) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ₫13,539,235 ($533).
Is Ho Chi Minh City cheaper than Vietnam on average?
No — Ho Chi Minh City is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Vietnam average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Ho Chi Minh City?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ₫2,918,968 ($115) in Ho Chi Minh City. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ₫128,778 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around ₫38,633 ($2).
How do transport costs in Ho Chi Minh City compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Ho Chi Minh City is estimated at ₫472,186 ($19). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Ho Chi Minh City are estimates based on Vietnam national averages adjusted for city size (population 15,136,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.