Dar es Salaam vs Ho Chi Minh City: cost of living for digital nomads
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 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
- Dar es Salaam is about 1% cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for a month of nomad living ($1,140 vs $1,150).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Dar es Salaam against $500 in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 5/10).
- Both have a tropical climate.
Dar es Salaam wins 4 of the measured lines; Ho Chi Minh City wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Dar es Salaam or Ho Chi Minh City?
Dar es Salaam is cheaper: about $1,140/month against $1,150/month in Ho Chi Minh City, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Dar es Salaam or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 5/10 for Dar es Salaam.
Which has faster internet, Dar es Salaam or Ho Chi Minh City?
Dar es Salaam and Ho Chi Minh City have about the same typical internet speed, 90 Mbps.
| Line | Dar es Salaam | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,140 | $1,150 |
| Rent | $450 | $500 |
| Food | $320 | $320 |
| Transport | $35 | $40 |
| Coworking | $85 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 5/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 90 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 5/10 | 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): Dar es Salaam September 11, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City November 6, 2026.