Ho Chi Minh City vs Manila: cost of living for digital nomads
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Manila, Philippines, 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 12% cheaper than Manila for a month of nomad living ($1,150 vs $1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $500 in Ho Chi Minh City against $560 in Manila.
- Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Both have a tropical climate.
Ho Chi Minh City wins 7 of the measured lines; Manila wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Manila?
Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper: about $1,150/month against $1,300/month in Manila, roughly 12% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Ho Chi Minh City or Manila?
Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Manila.
Which has faster internet, Ho Chi Minh City or Manila?
Ho Chi Minh City and Manila have about the same typical internet speed, 90 Mbps.
| Line | Ho Chi Minh City | Manila |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,150 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $500 | $560 |
| Food | $320 | $350 |
| Transport | $40 | $60 |
| Coworking | $110 | $120 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 90 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Manila with
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, Manila November 9, 2026.