worthabroad
Thailand vs Vietnam: cost of living compared
On a like-for-like monthly budget, Thailand (Bangkok) is about 20% pricier than Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) — the table below compares both in US dollars, at a lean single-person level.
Both are popular, affordable bases for the same audience, and the headline gap is small enough that lifestyle and city choice matter more than the country. This compares Bangkok with Ho Chi Minh City as representative major cities.
Housing is the biggest single driver — pick a cheaper city and the comparison shifts.
Bangkok vs Ho Chi Minh City, in US dollars
| Monthly (single person) | Thailand | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly budget (single, incl. rent) | $900.00 | $750.00 |
| Rent — 1-bed, city centre | $600.00 | $500.00 |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $3.50 | $2.50 |
| Local transport (monthly) | $40.00 | $12.00 |
Overall, Thailand (Bangkok) is about 20% pricier than Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) on this like-for-like single-person budget. Housing is the biggest driver — a cheaper Thai city like Chiang Mai widens the gap, and you can build your own budget either way.
These are approximate, single-person figures drawn from reported cost data (Numbeo), compared for a representative major city on each side — not a formal survey, and real costs vary by city, lifestyle, and the day. Check the linked sources for current numbers, and build a budget for your own case in the planner. Figures as of mid-2026. Sources: Numbeo — Bangkok , Numbeo — Ho Chi Minh City .
Questions & answers
- Is Thailand cheaper than Vietnam?
- On a like-for-like single-person budget, Thailand (Bangkok) works out about 20% pricier than Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City). The gap is modest — and a cheaper Thai city like Chiang Mai widens Thailand's advantage. These are approximate figures; check the linked sources for current numbers.
- How much does it cost to live in Thailand vs Vietnam per month?
- As a rough single-person estimate including rent, Bangkok runs around $900/month and Ho Chi Minh City around $750/month. Build a figure for your own lifestyle in the budget planner.