Cities
Nomad city comparison
Ho Chi Minh City vs Kuala Lumpur
Vietnam · Southeast Asia · budget · Malaysia · Southeast Asia · budget
🏆 Ho Chi Minh City wins on price.
Nomad Score comparison
🏆 Kuala Lumpur scores higher
Nomad Score
74/ 100
B
B — Solid
Cost · 30%90.1411111111111
Productivity · 25%77
Sustainability · 20%56
Lifestyle · 15%72
Tax · 10%55
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
Nomad Score
76/ 100
A
A — Great
Cost · 30%83.65333333333334
Productivity · 25%74
Sustainability · 20%72
Lifestyle · 15%67
Tax · 10%75
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
| Sub-score | Ho Chi Minh City | Kuala Lumpur | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 90.1411111111111 | 83.65333333333334 | 6.487777777777765 |
| Productivity | 77 | 74 | 3 |
| Sustainability | 56 | 72 | 16 |
| Lifestyle | 72 | 67 | 5 |
| Tax | 55 | 75 | 20 |
| Total | 74 B | 76 A | 2 |
Side-by-side
| Category | Ho Chi Minh City | Kuala Lumpur | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb (monthly) | $653 | $840 | 22% |
| Long-term lease | $428 | $560 | 24% |
| Food — local | $249 | $249 | ≈ |
| Food — Western | $565 | $572 | ≈ |
| Coworking (monthly) | $109 | $129 | 16% |
| Specialty coffee (cup) | $2.00 | $2.77 | 28% |
| Mobile data / SIM (monthly) | $8.00 | $14 | 43% |
| Gym — chain (monthly) | $28 | $28 | ≈ |
| Gym — boutique (monthly) | $75 | $75 | ≈ |
| Laundry per load | $1.40 | $1.40 | ≈ |
| Transit pass (monthly) | $14.92 | $29.48 | 49% |
| Tourist visa | $25 | — | ≈ |
| Nomad visa (year) | — | $850 | ≈ |
| Chicken breast (100g) | $0.60 | $0.69 | 13% |
Ho Chi Minh City
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Kuala Lumpur
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