Ho Chi Minh City vs Ubud

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Ho Chi Minh City is roughly 12% more affordable than Ubud (index 12 vs 14, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Ho Chi Minh City
More affordable overall
12% cheaper than Ubud · Cost index: 12 vs 14

Life Power at $3,000/mo

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

Head-to-Head Stats

12Cost Index14
520Median Income /mo246
60Safety Index78
5Income Tax %15
156Internet (Mbps)85
150Coworking /mo175

Price Breakdown

Ho Chi Minh CityCategoryUbud
$530/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
15% ← cheaper
$450/month
$1.8/liter
Meal for One
$1.8/liter
$2/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
50% cheaper →
$4/meal
$11/month
Monthly Transit Pass
100% ← cheaper
$0/month
$85/month
Utilities (Monthly)
59% ← cheaper
$35/month
$45/visit
Doctor Visit
22% ← cheaper
$35/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Ho Chi Minh City

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

Ubud

Internet85 Mbps
Coworking$175/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitylarge
Walkability35/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ho Chi Minh City cheaper than Ubud?

Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper than Ubud. Ho Chi Minh City has a cost of living index of 12/100 compared to 14/100 for Ubud (New York = 100), making it roughly 12% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Ho Chi Minh City than Ubud?

Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 12% cheaper than Ubud based on cost index scores (12 vs 14, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Ubud could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,640/month in Ho Chi Minh City.

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

In Ho Chi Minh City, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $530/month. In Ubud, the equivalent is around $450/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Ho Chi Minh City offers 156 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$150/month. Ubud offers 85 Mbps and coworking at ~$175/month. Ho Chi Minh City has a cost advantage of 12%.

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

The median net monthly salary in Ho Chi Minh City is approximately $520 USD, compared to $246 USD in Ubud.

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