Bologna vs Ho Chi Minh City: cost of living for digital nomads
Bologna, Italy 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
- Ho Chi Minh City is about 42% cheaper than Bologna for a month of nomad living ($1,150 vs $1,970).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Ho Chi Minh City against $900 in Bologna.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Bologna: 120 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Bologna is temperate; Ho Chi Minh City is tropical.
Bologna wins 1 of the measured lines; Ho Chi Minh City wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bologna or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper: about $1,150/month against $1,970/month in Bologna, roughly 42% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bologna or Ho Chi Minh City?
Bologna and Ho Chi Minh City score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Bologna or Ho Chi Minh City?
Bologna has faster typical internet: 120 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Ho Chi Minh City.
| Line | Bologna | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,970 | $1,150 |
| Rent | $900 | $500 |
| Food | $480 | $320 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $150 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 120 | 90 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | mid | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 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): Bologna September 10, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City November 6, 2026.