Ho Chi Minh City vs Santa Marta: cost of living for digital nomads
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Santa Marta, Colombia, 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
- Santa Marta 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 Santa Marta against $500 in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Santa Marta: 100 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Ho Chi Minh City wins 3 of the measured lines; Santa Marta wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Santa Marta?
Santa Marta 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, Ho Chi Minh City or Santa Marta?
Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Santa Marta.
Which has faster internet, Ho Chi Minh City or Santa Marta?
Santa Marta has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Ho Chi Minh City.
| Line | Ho Chi Minh City | Santa Marta |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,150 | $1,140 |
| Rent | $500 | $450 |
| Food | $320 | $320 |
| Transport | $40 | $50 |
| Coworking | $110 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 6/10 |
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, Santa Marta September 10, 2026.