Ho Chi Minh City vs Madrid: cost of living for digital nomads
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Madrid, Spain, 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 52% cheaper than Madrid for a month of nomad living ($1,150 vs $2,400).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Ho Chi Minh City against $1,250 in Madrid.
- Madrid scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Madrid: 300 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Ho Chi Minh City is tropical; Madrid is mediterranean.
Ho Chi Minh City wins 5 of the measured lines; Madrid wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Madrid?
Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper: about $1,150/month against $2,400/month in Madrid, roughly 52% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Ho Chi Minh City or Madrid?
Madrid scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Ho Chi Minh City.
Which has faster internet, Ho Chi Minh City or Madrid?
Madrid has faster typical internet: 300 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Ho Chi Minh City.
| Line | Ho Chi Minh City | Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,150 | $2,400 |
| Rent | $500 | $1,250 |
| Food | $320 | $520 |
| Transport | $40 | $55 |
| Coworking | $110 | $150 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 300 |
| Climate | tropical | mediterranean |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 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): Ho Chi Minh City November 6, 2026, Madrid November 1, 2026.