TL;DR — Vietnam (CoL Index 26.4) and Indonesia (CoL Index 26.1) are the two cheapest countries in this entire dataset — essentially tied on overall cost. Indonesia wins on the Bali lifestyle ecosystem; Vietnam wins on urban infrastructure, internet reliability and city diversity. Both offer Exceptional Expat Value Scores. The choice is less about price (near-identical) and more about lifestyle: Bali’s beach-and-wellness culture vs Vietnam’s cities and culture trail. When considering the vietnam vs indonesia cost of living, these factors become even more significant. Overall, the vietnam vs indonesia cost of living comparison showcases various aspects that are important to expats and travelers alike.
Sources: World Bank Open Data — NY.GNP.PCAP.PP.CD, FP.CPI.TOTL (2024); Numbeo Cost of Living Rankings 2024.
Head-to-Head Data Table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Indonesia | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNI per capita (PPP) | $15,850 | $16,010 | Tie |
| Cost of Living Index | 26.4 | 26.1 | Indonesia (marginally) |
| Rent Index | 9.9 | 9.1 | Indonesia |
| Groceries Index | 31.8 | 33.6 | Vietnam |
| Restaurant Index | 15.6 | 15.3 | Indonesia (marginally) |
| Local Purchasing Power | 42.5 | 29.3 | Vietnam |
| CPI (2010=100) | 189.7 | 161.9 | Indonesia (less inflation) |
| Expat Value Score | 1.66 | 1.63 | Vietnam (marginally) |
Sources: World Bank 2024; Numbeo 2024.
They’re essentially tied. The differences are within the margin of data variation. The real differentiator is lifestyle preference, not price.
🏠 Housing
| City/Area | Vietnam | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Top expat hub (1-bed) | HCMC Thao Dien: ~$500–900 | Bali Canggu: ~$400–800 |
| Secondary city | Da Nang: ~$300–550 | Ubud: ~$300–600 |
| Budget | Hoi An: ~$250–480 | Yogyakarta: ~$180–350 |
| Capital city | Hanoi Tay Ho: ~$450–800 | Jakarta Kemang: ~$500–900 |
Verdict: Very similar. Bali’s villas often include pools at these price points — a lifestyle advantage. Vietnam’s apartments in HCMC are more urban and modern. Indonesia wins on lifestyle per dollar in Bali; Vietnam on urban quality.
🍽️ Food
| Category | Vietnam | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | ~$1–3 | ~$1–3 |
| Local restaurant | ~$3–8/meal | ~$4–10/meal |
| Western restaurant | ~$10–25 | ~$10–25 (Bali higher) |
| Groceries/month | ~$120–200 | ~$130–220 |
Verdict: Effectively tied. Vietnam edges on groceries (Index 31.8 vs 33.6); Indonesia on restaurants (Index 15.3 vs 15.6). The difference is negligible.
🚌 Transport
| Category | Vietnam | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Urban system | Grab bike, limited metro | Gojek/Grab, no Bali public transit |
| Own vehicle | Motorbike ~$15–30/month fuel | Scooter rental ~$60–100/month |
| Intercity | Sleeper train + bus | Budget domestic flights |
Verdict: Vietnam wins on urban transport variety (more metros coming online in HCMC/Hanoi). Bali has no public transport — a scooter or Gojek is essential.
🏥 Healthcare
| Category | Vietnam | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| International insurance | ~$40–80/month | ~$40–80/month |
| Best private hospitals | FV Hospital HCMC, Vinmec | Siloam Bali, BIMC |
| Medical evacuation risk | Low (HCMC/Hanoi) | Moderate (Bali: consider Singapore) |
Verdict: Vietnam wins for healthcare access in major cities. Bali’s hospital infrastructure is more limited — serious conditions may require medical evacuation to Singapore. Both recommend international insurance strongly.
🎭 Leisure
| Category | Vietnam | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly leisure | ~$70–130 | ~$80–150 |
| Lifestyle identity | City + culture trail | Surf + yoga + wellness |
| Co-working ecosystem | Excellent (HCMC, Da Nang) | Excellent (Canggu, Ubud) |
Verdict: Indonesia (Bali) wins on lifestyle if beach/surf/wellness is your priority. Vietnam wins on urban cultural diversity and city-to-city travel options.
💰 Monthly Budget Comparison
| Budget level | Vietnam | Indonesia |
|---|---|---|
| Frugal | ~$700–1,000 | ~$600–900 |
| Moderate | ~$1,200–1,800 | ~$1,100–1,700 |
| Comfortable | ~$2,000–2,800 | ~$1,800–2,600 |
🏆 Verdict — Vietnam vs Indonesia
| Criterion | Winner |
|---|---|
| Overall price level | Tie |
| Urban infrastructure | Vietnam |
| Internet reliability | Vietnam |
| Healthcare access | Vietnam |
| City diversity | Vietnam |
| Bali lifestyle | Indonesia |
| Surf / beach / wellness | Indonesia |
| Visa (long-term) | Indonesia (Second Home Visa) |
| Price stability | Indonesia |
Overall: Choose Vietnam for cities, culture and infrastructure reliability. Choose Indonesia (Bali) for the iconic beach-nomad lifestyle and the unique ecosystem of Canggu/Ubud. Many nomads do both — and at this price level, you can afford to.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vietnam or Bali cheaper in 2025?
Virtually identical by Cost of Living Index (Vietnam 26.4, Indonesia 26.1). Bali’s expat areas (Canggu) can feel slightly cheaper for lifestyle spend — warung food and villa rents with pools. Vietnam’s major cities offer cheaper groceries. The difference is not material for budgeting purposes.
Which has better internet for remote work — Vietnam or Bali?
Vietnam wins. Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang have fast, reliable fibre broadband (~$10–20/month for 100+ Mbps). Bali’s internet is improving but remains inconsistent outside central Canggu and Ubud co-working spaces. Vietnam is the more reliable choice for high-bandwidth remote work.
What is the Bali Digital Nomad Visa?
Indonesia’s Second Home Visa (E33G) allows stays of 5 or 10 years with proof of ~$130,000 in funds. Many nomads use the B211A visa (60 days, extendable to ~6 months) in practice. Vietnam offers a 90-day e-visa for most nationalities, extendable via business visa routes. Indonesia has the better formal long-term visa option; Vietnam has more flexible short-term entry.
Is it safe to live in Vietnam vs Bali?
Both are considered safe for expats. Vietnam has very low violent crime rates against foreigners. Bali is safe in tourist/expat areas but has traffic risks (scooter accidents are the main concern). Petty theft exists in both but is not a major issue in residential expat areas.
Can I easily travel between the two while living in Southeast Asia?
Yes. Budget flights connect HCMC/Hanoi to Bali (Denpasar) for $30–100 depending on advance booking and airline. Many Southeast Asia nomads rotate between Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia on a seasonal basis.
🔗 Explore Further
- Cost of Living in Vietnam 2025 →
- Cost of Living in Indonesia 2025 →
- Thailand vs Vietnam →
- Cost of Living in Asia by Country →
Last updated: 2025 | Data: World Bank Open Data (NY.GNP.PCAP.PP.CD, FP.CPI.TOTL) — 2024; Numbeo Cost of Living Rankings 2024.