Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Bali is approximately 194% less expensive than Ho Chi Minh City based on cost of living including rent. This makes Bali a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Bali has a FIRE Score of 75/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Bali is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowIndonesia
Bali
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Bali
Bali is an absurdly cheap playground for digital nomads and early retirees, with a one-bedroom in the center going for $199/mo and a full comfortable budget at $496/mo, but the local average salary of $237/mo shows the gap between expat life and local reality. The $2,000/mo income requirement for both the retirement and remote worker visas is a hard hurdle, though the large expat community in Canggu, Ubud, and Uluwatu makes settling in easy. Safety is decent at 65/100 and healthcare is good, but the 48 air quality index and 47 km haul to the airport are real downsides. If you can clear the visa income bar, this is a top-tier low-cost base; if not, it's a beautiful place to visit, not to stay.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
Ho Chi Minh City costs roughly 66% less than Bali. The cost gap makes Ho Chi Minh City the stronger pick for financial independence. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Bali is approximately 194% less expensive than Ho Chi Minh City based on cost of living including rent. This makes Bali a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Bali has a FIRE Score of 75/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 65, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Bali is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Bali
Bali is an absurdly cheap playground for digital nomads and early retirees, with a one-bedroom in the center going for $199/mo and a full comfortable budget at $496/mo, but the local average salary of $237/mo shows the gap between expat life and local reality. The $2,000/mo income requirement for both the retirement and remote worker visas is a hard hurdle, though the large expat community in Canggu, Ubud, and Uluwatu makes settling in easy. Safety is decent at 65/100 and healthcare is good, but the 48 air quality index and 47 km haul to the airport are real downsides. If you can clear the visa income bar, this is a top-tier low-cost base; if not, it's a beautiful place to visit, not to stay.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
$2,567/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a budget beast, plain and simple. You can live well on $1,000 a month, with a city-center one-bedroom at $586 and street meals at $2, though the average local salary of $494 shows the gap between expat comfort and local reality. The expat scene is large and active, and the safety numbers are solid, but the air quality index of 105 is a real drag for anyone with lungs. If you want cheap, chaotic, and full of energy, this is your spot, just don't expect clean air or a quiet life.
About Vietnam
A 1BR near central Hanoi or Saigon runs $400.6, less than half typical US suburban rent, while monthly costs excluding rent sit near $430.8, meaning a couple can live comfortably around this budget level. Fast internet at 343.05 Mbps supports remote work, and safety metrics beat most Southeast Asian peers. The dealbreaker: a digital nomad visa exists (minimum $600/month remote-work-allowed income), but no retirement visa, so long-term legal residency stays messy regardless of your budget.
$1,820/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visas for these countriesBattle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Bali | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $199.3 | $585.86 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $139.7 | $297.81 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $447.03 | $1269.29 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $279.39 | $722.45 |
| Safety Index | 65 | 72 |
| Internet Speed | 50Mbps | 85Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Bali | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $433/mo | N/A |
| Excluding rent | $293/mo | N/A |
| Rent | $140/mo | N/A |
| Groceries | $117/mo | N/A |
| Dining out | $14.00/mo | N/A |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $46.00/mo | N/A |
| Utilities & connectivity | $116/mo | N/A |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
Planning a move to Ho Chi Minh City? Make sure you have the right visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized visa match in under 2 minutes.
Find my visa →Compare any two visa routes.
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including Vietnam and Indonesia.
Compare visas →Related Comparisons
Explore Vietnam
Bali vs Ho Chi Minh City -- Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
Resources for Moving to Ho Chi Minh City
Find hotels in Ho Chi Minh City
Search and compare hotel prices across hundreds of booking sites.
Search hotels →Short-term rentals in Ho Chi Minh City
Browse vacation rentals while you scout neighborhoods for a long-term lease.
Browse rentals →Tours and activities in Ho Chi Minh City
Discover top attractions, day trips, and unique experiences.
Explore activities →eSIM for Ho Chi Minh City
Get connected the moment you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get eSIM →VPN for secure browsing in Ho Chi Minh City
Protect your data and access geo-restricted content while traveling.
Get NordVPN →