Ho Chi Minh City vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Ho Chi Minh City is ~56% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
COL+Rent
22.2
Rent Index
13.1
Groceries
37.5
Restaurant
19.1
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Ho Chi Minh City | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $482 | $1,449 | $967 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $297 | $1,139 | $842 |
| Groceries | $207 | $339 | $132 |
| Restaurant Meal | $4 | $17 | $13 |
| Transit Pass | $7 | $93 | $86 |
| Utilities | $55 | $103 | $48 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Ho Chi Minh City | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $520/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $811/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $985/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Ho Chi Minh City | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,446/mo | +$1,946 |
| $2,000/mo | $4,595/mo | +$2,595 |
| $3,000/mo | $6,892/mo | +$3,892 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Ho Chi Minh City vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 56% more affordable than Stockholm when combining rent and daily living costs. Ho Chi Minh City's COL+Rent Index of 22.2 vs Stockholm's 51 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Ho Chi Minh City costs $482/month versus $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Ho Chi Minh City a $967/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $11,604 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Ho Chi Minh City ($207/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Ho Chi Minh City's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $4 vs $17 show Ho Chi Minh City is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Ho Chi Minh City offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $811 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.