Cebu vs Ho Chi Minh City: cost of living for digital nomads
Cebu, Philippines 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
- Cebu is about 4% cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,150).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Cebu against $500 in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Ho Chi Minh City: 90 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Cebu wins 4 of the measured lines; Ho Chi Minh City wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cebu or Ho Chi Minh City?
Cebu is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,150/month in Ho Chi Minh City, roughly 4% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Cebu.
Which has faster internet, Cebu or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Cebu.
| Line | Cebu | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,150 |
| Rent | $450 | $500 |
| Food | $300 | $320 |
| Transport | $50 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 90 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | island | 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): Cebu November 4, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City November 6, 2026.