Ho Chi Minh City vs Barcelona

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Ho Chi Minh City is roughly 68% more affordable than Barcelona (index 12 vs 38, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Ho Chi Minh City
More affordable overall
68% cheaper than Barcelona · Cost index: 12 vs 38

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Mage
Ho Chi Minh City
71Mage
Soldier
Barcelona
29Soldier
Check your own salary's Life Power →

Head-to-Head Stats

Ho Chi Minh CityvsBarcelona
12✓Cost Index38
520Median Income /mo2,300✓
60Safety Index78✓
5✓Income Tax %37
156Internet (Mbps)165✓
150✓Coworking /mo250

Price Breakdown

Ho Chi Minh CityCategoryBarcelona
$530/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
62% cheaper →
$1,400/month
$1.8/liter
Meal for One
23% ← cheaper
$1.39/liter
$2/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
85% cheaper →
$13/meal
$11/month
Monthly Transit Pass
81% cheaper →
$58/month
$85/month
Utilities (Monthly)
29% cheaper →
$120/month
$45/visit
Doctor Visit
25% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Ho Chi Minh City

Internet156 Mbps
Coworking$150/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishmoderate
Communitylarge
Walkability45/100

Barcelona

Internet165 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability78/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ho Chi Minh City cheaper than Barcelona?

Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper than Barcelona. Ho Chi Minh City has a cost of living index of 12/100 compared to 38/100 for Barcelona (New York = 100), making it roughly 68% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Ho Chi Minh City than Barcelona?

Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 68% cheaper than Barcelona based on cost index scores (12 vs 38, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Barcelona could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $971/month in Ho Chi Minh City.

What is the rent comparison between Ho Chi Minh City and Barcelona?

In Ho Chi Minh City, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $530/month. In Barcelona, the equivalent is around $1,400/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Ho Chi Minh City or Barcelona?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Ho Chi Minh City offers 156 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$150/month. Barcelona offers 165 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Ho Chi Minh City has a cost advantage of 68%.

What is the average income in Ho Chi Minh City vs Barcelona?

The median net monthly salary in Ho Chi Minh City is approximately $520 USD, compared to $2,300 USD in Barcelona.

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