Ho Chi Minh City vs Taichung: cost of living for digital nomads
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Taichung, Taiwan, 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 5% cheaper than Taichung for a month of nomad living ($1,150 vs $1,205).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $480 in Taichung against $500 in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Taichung scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Taichung: 220 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Ho Chi Minh City wins 2 of the measured lines; Taichung wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Taichung?
Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper: about $1,150/month against $1,205/month in Taichung, roughly 5% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Ho Chi Minh City or Taichung?
Taichung scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Ho Chi Minh City.
Which has faster internet, Ho Chi Minh City or Taichung?
Taichung has faster typical internet: 220 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Ho Chi Minh City.
| Line | Ho Chi Minh City | Taichung |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,150 | $1,205 |
| Rent | $500 | $480 |
| Food | $320 | $320 |
| Transport | $40 | $35 |
| Coworking | $110 | $95 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 220 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
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, Taichung September 11, 2026.