Cost of Living: Chile vs Vietnam
Chile is 40% more expensive than Vietnam overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Vietnam wins on affordability
Vietnam is roughly 40% cheaper than Chile on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $470 per month, or about $5,640 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Chile | Vietnam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $787 | $462 | Vietnam 70% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,117 | $647 | Vietnam 73% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,323 | $726 | Vietnam 82% less |
Budgets include rent, groceries, utilities, transit pass, and a typical number of restaurant meals per tier.
Line-Item Cost Comparison
Every major monthly expense, side by side.
| Category | Chile | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $515 | $365 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $380 | $225 |
Groceries (monthly) | $260 | $175 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $13 | $3 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $42 | $7 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $105 | $55 |
Index Breakdown (NYC = 100)
Individual sub-indices for each category. Lower = cheaper than New York City.
Salary Equivalents
Purchasing-power-adjusted: if you earn X net in the US, how much do you need in Chile and Vietnam to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Chile | Needed in Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $23,801 | $16,963 |
| $75,000/yr | $35,702 | $25,444 |
| $100,000/yr | $47,602 | $33,925 |
NET (after-tax) purchasing-power equivalents. Gross salary targets depend on each country's tax regime — see the salary comparison page for full tax breakdowns.
Dig Deeper
Combine this cost comparison with tax and salary data for the complete picture.
Cost of Living in Chile
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Chile only.
Cost of Living in Vietnam
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Vietnam only.
Chile vs Vietnam Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Chile
Net take-home pay calculator for Chile.
Salary After Tax in Vietnam
Net take-home pay calculator for Vietnam.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Chile vs Vietnam
Is Chile cheaper than Vietnam?
Chile is 40% more expensive than Vietnam. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 26.8 for Chile vs 19.1 for Vietnam. In practical terms, a $647/month lifestyle in Vietnam can be matched for roughly $908/month in Chile.
What is the monthly budget difference between Chile and Vietnam?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,117 in Chile versus $647 in Vietnam — a difference of $470/month (73%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,323 vs $726.
How does rent compare in Chile vs Vietnam?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $515/month in Chile and $365/month in Vietnam. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $380 in Chile and $225 in Vietnam. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Chile to Vietnam?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Chile, you'd need roughly $53,451 net in Vietnam to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Vietnam to Chile on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $105,236 net in Chile. These are purchasing-power-adjusted amounts — your gross salary target will differ by tax regime.
Which country has higher groceries prices?
Monthly grocery basket for a single person: $260 in Chile vs $175 in Vietnam. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $13 in Chile vs $3 in Vietnam. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.