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%90.51722222222222
Productivity · 25%78
Sustainability · 20%54
Lifestyle · 15%71
Tax · 10%55
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
Nomad Score
75/ 100
A
A — Great
Cost · 30%83.75555555555555
Productivity · 25%74
Sustainability · 20%71
Lifestyle · 15%66
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 | 90.51722222222222 | 83.75555555555555 | 6.76166666666667 |
| Productivity | 78 | 74 | 4 |
| Sustainability | 54 | 71 | 17 |
| Lifestyle | 71 | 66 | 5 |
| Tax | 55 | 75 | 20 |
| Total | 74 B | 75 A | 1 |
Side-by-side
| Category | Ho Chi Minh City | Kuala Lumpur | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb (monthly) | $672 | $850 | 21% |
| Long-term lease | $421 | $554 | 24% |
| Food — local | $243 | $253 | ≈ |
| Food — Western | $567 | $584 | ≈ |
| Coworking (monthly) | $107 | $127 | 16% |
| Specialty coffee (cup) | $1.99 | $2.85 | 30% |
| 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) | $15.38 | $28.8 | 47% |
| Tourist visa | $25 | — | ≈ |
| Nomad visa (year) | — | $850 | ≈ |
| Chicken breast (100g) | $0.59 | $0.69 | 14% |
Ho Chi Minh City
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Kuala Lumpur
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