Brisbane vs Ho Chi Minh City: cost of living for digital nomads
Brisbane, Australia 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 58% cheaper than Brisbane for a month of nomad living ($1,150 vs $2,715).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Ho Chi Minh City against $1,350 in Brisbane.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Brisbane: 220 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Brisbane wins 1 of the measured lines; Ho Chi Minh City wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Brisbane or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper: about $1,150/month against $2,715/month in Brisbane, roughly 58% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Brisbane or Ho Chi Minh City?
Brisbane and Ho Chi Minh City score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Brisbane or Ho Chi Minh City?
Brisbane has faster typical internet: 220 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Ho Chi Minh City.
| Line | Brisbane | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,715 | $1,150 |
| Rent | $1,350 | $500 |
| Food | $590 | $320 |
| Transport | $85 | $40 |
| Coworking | $180 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 220 | 90 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | 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): Brisbane September 11, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City November 6, 2026.