Ho Chi Minh City vs Medellín — Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data
Medellín edges out Ho Chi Minh City on affordability with a Cost of Living index of 32.4 vs 35 (US=100; very affordable vs affordable). Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety (60/100), and Medellín wins on internet at ~130 Mbps. Overall, Medellín takes the Nomad Score crown with 80/100 — best for budget nomad and latam base.
Metric
Ho Chi Minh City
Medellín
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
US$620
US$580
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
US$380
US$360
Cost of Living (US=100)
35
32
Safety Score
60/100
48/100
Internet Speed
110 Mbps
130 Mbps
Nomad Score
76/100
80/100
Healthcare Score
62/100
70/100
Digital Nomad Visa
Not available
✓ Available
Who is each city for?
Ho Chi Minh City is better for…
City loversFoodiesNightlifeRemote worker
See the Vietnam country profileMedellín is better for…
Budget nomadLatAm baseSpring climateCommunity
See the Colombia country profileAlso compare
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