Cost of Living: Vietnam vs Japan

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Vietnam and Japan.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Vietnam is 44.7% cheaper than Japan. The biggest difference is in Salaries And Financing, where costs are 79.5% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Japan, you would spend about $55 in Vietnam for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Salaries And Financing 79.5%

Vietnam is 79.5% cheaper

Mobile and Internet 76.8%

Vietnam is 76.8% cheaper

Other Expenses 67.9%

Vietnam is 67.9% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 44.7%

Vietnam is 44.7% cheaper than Japan

Most Expensive Categories

  • Transportation +66.5%

Is Vietnam cheaper than Japan?

Yes, Vietnam is cheaper than Japan

Overall, living costs in Vietnam are 44.7% lower than in Japan.

Where Vietnam is cheaper:

  • Salaries And Financing 79.5% cheaper
  • Mobile and Internet 76.8% cheaper
  • Other Expenses 67.9% cheaper

Where Vietnam is more expensive:

  • Transportation 66.5% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Vietnam: 1.93 $ Japan: 7.01 $
72.5% cheaper in Vietnam

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Vietnam: 363.93 $ Japan: 624.64 $
41.7% cheaper in Vietnam

Monthly public transport pass

Vietnam: 7.72 $ Japan: 58.97 $
86.9% cheaper in Vietnam

1 liter of gasoline

Vietnam: 0.89 $ Japan: 1.22 $
27.0% cheaper in Vietnam

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Vietnam is indeed cheaper than Japan. You would save approximately 44.7% on living expenses by choosing Vietnam over Japan. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

44.7%

Vietnam is 44.7% cheaper than Japan

Restaurants

45.9%

Vietnam is 45.9% cheaper than Japan in this category

Markets

64.1%

Vietnam is 64.1% cheaper than Japan in this category

Other Expenses

67.9%

Vietnam is 67.9% cheaper than Japan in this category

Transportation

66.5%

Vietnam is 66.5% more expensive than Japan in this category

Household Utilities

60.4%

Vietnam is 60.4% cheaper than Japan in this category

Mobile and Internet

76.8%

Vietnam is 76.8% cheaper than Japan in this category

Sports And Leisure

62.2%

Vietnam is 62.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Childcare

8.2%

Vietnam is 8.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Clothing And Shoes

0.2%

Vietnam is 0.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Rent Per Month

41.2%

Vietnam is 41.2% cheaper than Japan in this category

Property Prices

54.3%

Vietnam is 54.3% cheaper than Japan in this category

Salaries And Financing

79.5%

Vietnam is 79.5% cheaper than Japan in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Vietnam Japan Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 1.93 $ 7.01 $ 72.5%
Vietnam is 72.5% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 21.22 $ 35.03 $ 39.4%
Vietnam is 39.4% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 4.63 $ 5.61 $ 17.5%
Vietnam is 17.5% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 1.70 $ 3.36 $ 49.4%
Vietnam is 49.4% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.48 $ 1.12 $ 57.1%
Vietnam is 57.1% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.28 $ 0.82 $ 65.9%
Vietnam is 65.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.50 $ 0.94 $ 46.8%
Vietnam is 46.8% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.00 $ 8.42 $ 64.4%
Vietnam is 64.4% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.42 $ 1.56 $ 9.0%
Vietnam is 9.0% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.93 $ 1.59 $ 41.5%
Vietnam is 41.5% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 0.93 $ 4.51 $ 79.4%
Vietnam is 79.4% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 1.49 $ 2.24 $ 33.5%
Vietnam is 33.5% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 11.93 $ 12.14 $ 1.7%
Vietnam is 1.7% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 3.71 $ 6.92 $ 46.4%
Vietnam is 46.4% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 9.11 $ 17.18 $ 47.0%
Vietnam is 47.0% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 2.81 $ 5.37 $ 47.7%
Vietnam is 47.7% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.05 $ 2.62 $ 59.9%
Vietnam is 59.9% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 1.37 $ 4.78 $ 71.3%
Vietnam is 71.3% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.09 $ 4.84 $ 77.5%
Vietnam is 77.5% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.14 $ 2.85 $ 60.0%
Vietnam is 60.0% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.15 $ 2.65 $ 56.6%
Vietnam is 56.6% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 0.71 $ 1.39 $ 48.9%
Vietnam is 48.9% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 7.72 $ 58.97 $ 86.9%
Vietnam is 86.9% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 1.35 $ 4.20 $ 67.9%
Vietnam is 67.9% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.31 $ 1.54 $ 79.9%
Vietnam is 79.9% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 0.73 $ 4.20 $ 82.6%
Vietnam is 82.6% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.62 $ 3.15 $ 80.3%
Vietnam is 80.3% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 3.18 $ 23.82 $ 86.6%
Vietnam is 86.6% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 0.89 $ 1.22 $ 27.0%
Vietnam is 27.0% cheaper
New Economy Car 35,888.69 $ 23,415.29 $ 53.3%
Vietnam is 53.3% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 33,027.09 $ 17,953.06 $ 84.0%
Vietnam is 84.0% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 70.78 $ 178.92 $ 60.4%
Vietnam is 60.4% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 5.60 $ 27.25 $ 79.4%
Vietnam is 79.4% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 8.99 $ 35.66 $ 74.8%
Vietnam is 74.8% cheaper
Gym Membership 21.32 $ 60.05 $ 64.5%
Vietnam is 64.5% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 8.45 $ 15.69 $ 46.1%
Vietnam is 46.1% cheaper
Movie Ticket 3.86 $ 13.31 $ 71.0%
Vietnam is 71.0% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 239.08 $ 348.57 $ 31.4%
Vietnam is 31.4% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 12,491.50 $ 13,519.03 $ 7.6%
Vietnam is 7.6% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 36.69 $ 49.02 $ 25.2%
Vietnam is 25.2% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 24.64 $ 32.77 $ 24.8%
Vietnam is 24.8% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 89.86 $ 63.16 $ 42.3%
Vietnam is 42.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 80.94 $ 87.75 $ 7.8%
Vietnam is 7.8% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 363.93 $ 624.64 $ 41.7%
Vietnam is 41.7% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 247.34 $ 424.63 $ 41.8%
Vietnam is 41.8% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 779.11 $ 1,366.33 $ 43.0%
Vietnam is 43.0% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 515.86 $ 825.90 $ 37.5%
Vietnam is 37.5% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 2,943.61 $ 6,447.80 $ 54.3%
Vietnam is 54.3% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 1,629.40 $ 3,555.73 $ 54.2%
Vietnam is 54.2% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 437.12 $ 2,177.14 $ 79.9%
Vietnam is 79.9% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 9.41 1.82 417.0%
Vietnam is 417.0% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Japan. Enter your monthly expenses in Vietnam to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Vietnam and Japan goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Vietnam vs Japan

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Vietnam

Japan

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Vietnam Cost of living in Japan

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