Ho Chi Minh City vs Lisbon: cost of living for digital nomads
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Lisbon, Portugal, 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 54% cheaper than Lisbon for a month of nomad living ($1,150 vs $2,500).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Ho Chi Minh City against $1,400 in Lisbon.
- Lisbon scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Lisbon: 120 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Ho Chi Minh City is tropical; Lisbon is mediterranean.
Ho Chi Minh City wins 5 of the measured lines; Lisbon wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Lisbon?
Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper: about $1,150/month against $2,500/month in Lisbon, roughly 54% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Ho Chi Minh City or Lisbon?
Lisbon scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Ho Chi Minh City.
Which has faster internet, Ho Chi Minh City or Lisbon?
Lisbon has faster typical internet: 120 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Ho Chi Minh City.
| Line | Ho Chi Minh City | Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,150 | $2,500 |
| Rent | $500 | $1,400 |
| Food | $320 | $500 |
| Transport | $40 | $45 |
| Coworking | $110 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 120 |
| Climate | tropical | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
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): Ho Chi Minh City November 6, 2026, Lisbon November 1, 2026.