Cost of living in Vietnam
Living the same way in Vietnam costs about 30% of what it costs in the US, 33% in Canada and 32% in the UK. These are national averages from the World Bank's 2024 price levels for household spending, rent included.
What your spending becomes in Vietnam
Each row takes a month's spending at home, all in, and shows what living the same way costs in Vietnam, in your money and in VND.
| At home, a month | Same life in Vietnam | In VND | Compared with home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 in the US | $890 | ₫21,500,000 | 70% less |
| CA$4,000 in Canada | CA$1,310 | ₫22,700,000 | 67% less |
| £2,500 in the UK | £800 | ₫25,500,000 | 68% less |
Visa income figures for Vietnam
None of the open remote-work, retirement or freelance routes to Vietnam states a monthly income figure we can compare. See every route to Vietnam.
Vietnam and other countries in Asia
What $3,000 a month in the US becomes in each country, cheapest first. The order is the same from Canada or the UK.
| Country | $3,000 in the US becomes | Price level against the US |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | $890 | 30% |
| Indonesia | $920 | 31% |
| Thailand | $970 | 32% |
| Malaysia | $1,000 | 33% |
| Philippines | $1,070 | 36% |
| South Korea | $1,860 | 62% |
| Japan | $2,070 | 69% |
Read these figures with care
- National averages. Capital cities and towns popular with movers usually cost more than the national figure, rent most of all.
- 2024 figures. Prices and exchange rates move. Treat this as a first sort, then price a real flat and a real weekly shop where you'd live.
- The same life, not a cheaper one. The World Bank compares what the same basket of goods and services costs in each country at market exchange rates. Living differently there, for better or worse, changes the sum.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (PPP conversion factor for private consumption, and the official exchange rate), licensed CC BY 4.0. Data updated 2026-10-08. Visa figures from our routes table, checked against official sources. General information, not financial or immigration advice.