Cost of Living: Vietnam vs Greece
Vietnam is 47% cheaper than Greece overall. Detailed side-by-side rent, groceries, utilities and monthly budget for 2026.
The verdict: Vietnam wins on affordability
Vietnam is roughly 47% cheaper than Greece on the combined COL+Rent index. On a moderate urban lifestyle, this translates to a difference of $732 per month, or about $8,784 per year.
Monthly Budget Comparison
Single-person urban lifestyle at three budget levels. All figures in USD.
| Budget level | Vietnam | Greece | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
Minimal Suburb rent, no dining out | $462 | $929 | Vietnam 50% less |
Sample City rent, ~15 restaurant meals/mo | $647 | $1,379 | Vietnam 53% less |
Comfortable City rent, dining out 25x/mo | $726 | $1,677 | Vietnam 57% 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 | Vietnam | Greece |
|---|---|---|
Rent 1-bed, city centre | $365 | $540 |
Rent 1-bed, outside centre | $225 | $390 |
Groceries (monthly) | $175 | $315 |
Mid-range restaurant meal | $3 | $20 |
Transit pass (monthly) | $7 | $34 |
Basic utilities (85m²) | $55 | $190 |
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 Vietnam and Greece to maintain the same lifestyle?
| US net salary | Needed in Vietnam | Needed in Greece |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000/yr | $16,963 | $31,972 |
| $75,000/yr | $25,444 | $47,957 |
| $100,000/yr | $33,925 | $63,943 |
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 Vietnam
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Vietnam only.
Cost of Living in Greece
Full monthly budget & line-item costs for Greece only.
Vietnam vs Greece Salary
Side-by-side take-home pay at $50K–$200K with 2025 tax brackets.
Salary After Tax in Vietnam
Net take-home pay calculator for Vietnam.
Salary After Tax in Greece
Net take-home pay calculator for Greece.
All 40 Countries — Cost of Living
Sortable leaderboard, affordability tiers, and the salary-equivalence calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions: Vietnam vs Greece
Is Vietnam cheaper than Greece?
Vietnam is 47% cheaper than Greece. The combined Cost of Living + Rent index (NYC = 100) is 19.1 for Vietnam vs 36.0 for Greece. In practical terms, a $1,379/month lifestyle in Greece can be matched for roughly $732/month in Vietnam.
What is the monthly budget difference between Vietnam and Greece?
A moderate single-person urban budget costs around $647 in Vietnam versus $1,379 in Greece — a difference of $732/month (53%). The gap grows for comfortable lifestyles: $726 vs $1,677.
How does rent compare in Vietnam vs Greece?
A 1-bedroom apartment in a city centre costs $365/month in Vietnam and $540/month in Greece. Outside the city centre, rent drops to $225 in Vietnam and $390 in Greece. Rent typically represents 30–50% of a single person's monthly budget in both countries.
How much salary do I need to move from Vietnam to Greece?
If you currently earn $75,000 net in Vietnam, you'd need roughly $141,361 net in Greece to maintain the same lifestyle. If moving the other way (from Greece to Vietnam on a $75,000 net salary), you'd need $39,792 net in Vietnam. 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: $175 in Vietnam vs $315 in Greece. A mid-range restaurant meal costs $3 in Vietnam vs $20 in Greece. Grocery prices tend to track closely with overall cost of living.