Cost of living
Lao Cai compared to Ho Chi Minh City
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Overview comparison
Lao CaiHo Chi Minh City
Consumer prices in Lao Cai are roughly 5% higher than in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cost of living
| Item | Lao Cai | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|
| Total with rent one person | 533 | 505 |
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| Total with rent family | 1,288 | 1,251 |
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| Without rent one person | 233 | 236 |
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| Without rent one family | 993 | 996 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 235.52 | 288.02 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 382.71 | 316.61 |
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| Food person | 160 | 154 |
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| Food family | 538 | 500 |
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| Transport person | 23.04 | 23.27 |
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| Transport family | 51.09 | 70.32 |
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| Life expectancy | 76.33 years | 70 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Lao Cai | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 1.26 | 1.35 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 11.63 | 11.73 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 4.97 | 4.67 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 0.53 | 0.64 |
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| Cappuccino | 1.15 | 1.16 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 0.61 | 0.5 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Lao Cai | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 318.27 | 237.46 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 251.06 | 221.18 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 415.78 | 361.76 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 303.45 | 361 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 15.26 | 14.74 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 19.8 | 16.01 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 7.36 | 7.87 |
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Transportation
| Item | Lao Cai | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 5.96 | 6.16 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 1,915 | 1,830 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 1,151 | 1,099 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.29 | 0.36 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 7.11% | 5.71% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 8.19 | 5.85 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 0.98 | 1.04 |
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Groceries
| Item | Lao Cai | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1.28 | 1.73 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 0.8 | 0.8 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 1.36 | 1.32 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 5.98 | 5 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 2.77 | 3.51 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 9.5 | 13.04 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 0.98 | 0.86 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.36 | 0.37 |
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Other
| Item | Lao Cai | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 29.35 | 32.89 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 3.35 | 3.19 |
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| Doctors visit | 58.69 | 44.7 |
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| Haircut, simple | 2.55 | 2.7 |
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| Brand Jeans | 28.87 | 32 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 55.65 | 55.86 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 140.96 | 186.22 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 9,528 | 8,973 |
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