Cost of Living: Portugal vs Vietnam
Portugal is 91% 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 91% cheaper than Portugal on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $945 per month, or about $11,340 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Portugal | Vietnam | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $1,177 | $462 | Vietnam 155% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $1,592 | $647 | Vietnam 146% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $1,794 | $726 | Vietnam 147% 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 | Portugal | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $990 | $365 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $770 | $225 |
Groceries (monthly) | $235 | $175 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $13 | $3 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $42 | $7 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $130 | $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 Portugal and Vietnam to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Portugal | Needed in Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $32,416 | $16,963 |
| $75,000/yr | $48,623 | $25,444 |
| $100,000/yr | $64,831 | $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 Portugal
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Portugal only.
Cost of Living in Vietnam
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Vietnam only.
Portugal vs Vietnam Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Portugal
Net take-home pay calculator for Portugal.
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: Portugal vs Vietnam
Is Portugal cheaper than Vietnam?
Portugal is 91% more expensive than Vietnam. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 36.5 for Portugal vs 19.1 for Vietnam. In practical terms, a $647/month lifestyle in Vietnam can be matched for roughly $1,236/month in Portugal.
What is the monthly budget difference between Portugal and Vietnam?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $1,592 in Portugal versus $647 in Vietnam — a difference of $945/month (146%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $1,794 vs $726.
How does rent compare in Portugal vs Vietnam?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $990/month in Portugal and $365/month in Vietnam. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $770 in Portugal 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 Portugal to Vietnam?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Portugal, you'd need roughly $39,247 net in Vietnam to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Vietnam to Portugal on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $143,325 net in Portugal. 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: $235 in Portugal vs $175 in Vietnam. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $13 in Portugal vs $3 in Vietnam. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.