Almaty vs Ho Chi Minh City: cost of living for digital nomads
Almaty, Kazakhstan and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Almaty is about 3% cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for a month of nomad living ($1,120 vs $1,150).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Almaty against $500 in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Almaty: 130 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Almaty is continental; Ho Chi Minh City is tropical.
Almaty wins 6 of the measured lines; Ho Chi Minh City wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Almaty or Ho Chi Minh City?
Almaty is cheaper: about $1,120/month against $1,150/month in Ho Chi Minh City, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Almaty or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Almaty.
Which has faster internet, Almaty or Ho Chi Minh City?
Almaty has faster typical internet: 130 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Ho Chi Minh City.
| Line | Almaty | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,120 | $1,150 |
| Rent | $450 | $500 |
| Food | $300 | $320 |
| Transport | $30 | $40 |
| Coworking | $90 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 130 | 90 |
| Climate | continental | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | mountain | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 9/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Almaty September 11, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City November 6, 2026.