Cost of Living: Indonesia vs Vietnam
Indonesia is 3% cheaper than Vietnam overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Indonesia wins on affordability
Indonesia is roughly 3% cheaper than Vietnam on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $15 per month, or about $180 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Indonesia | Vietnam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $477 | $462 | Vietnam 3% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $632 | $647 | Indonesia 2% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $713 | $726 | Indonesia 2% 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 | Indonesia | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $340 | $365 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $230 | $225 |
Groceries (monthly) | $185 | $175 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $3 | $3 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $12 | $7 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $50 | $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 Indonesia and Vietnam to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Indonesia | Needed in Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $16,430 | $16,963 |
| $75,000/yr | $24,645 | $25,444 |
| $100,000/yr | $32,860 | $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 Indonesia
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Indonesia only.
Cost of Living in Vietnam
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Vietnam only.
Indonesia vs Vietnam Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Indonesia
Net take-home pay calculator for Indonesia.
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: Indonesia vs Vietnam
Is Indonesia cheaper than Vietnam?
Indonesia is 3% cheaper than Vietnam. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 18.5 for Indonesia vs 19.1 for Vietnam. In practical terms, a $647/month lifestyle in Vietnam can be matched for roughly $627/month in Indonesia.
What is the monthly budget difference between Indonesia and Vietnam?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $632 in Indonesia versus $647 in Vietnam — a difference of $15/month (2%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $713 vs $726.
How does rent compare in Indonesia vs Vietnam?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $340/month in Indonesia and $365/month in Vietnam. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $230 in Indonesia 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 Indonesia to Vietnam?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Indonesia, you'd need roughly $77,432 net in Vietnam to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Vietnam to Indonesia on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $72,644 net in Indonesia. 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: $185 in Indonesia vs $175 in Vietnam. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $3 in Indonesia vs $3 in Vietnam. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.