Thailand vs Vietnam — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
Thailand has a cost of living index of 33.0 with average 1BR rent around $460/mo, while Vietnam sits at 30.0 with rent near $470/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | Thailand | Vietnam | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 6.30% | 10.50% | Thailand |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 1.50% | 5.20% | Vietnam |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 16.0% | 25.0% | Thailand |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$460/mo | US$470/mo | Thailand |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$3,400/m² | US$3,800/m² | Thailand |
Summary
Thailand has a lower mortgage rate than Vietnam at 6.30% vs 10.50%. Rental costs in Thailand average $460/month compared to $470 in Vietnam, while the cost of living index sits at 33.0 versus 30.0. Overall, Thailand looks more favourable across the headline numbers.
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How we calculate this
Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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