Cost of Living in Quy Nhon (USD)
Monthly Cost Breakdown
| Category | Low (USD) | Mid (USD) | High (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $140 | $244 | $349 |
| Utilities | $40 | $65 | $100 |
| Food (eating out) | $150 | $250 | $400 |
| Groceries (cooking) | $80 | $120 | $180 |
| Internet | $10 | $15 | $25 |
| Phone/SIM | $5 | $8 | $15 |
| Transportation | $15 | $30 | $60 |
| Entertainment | $30 | $60 | $120 |
| Health/Gym | $15 | $30 | $60 |
| Miscellaneous | $50 | $80 | $150 |
| TOTAL | $550-650 | $900-1,000 | $1,400-1,500 |
Rent
| Location | Monthly Rent (USD) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR near beach | $140-279 | SeekVietnam |
| 1BR city center | $174-349 | SoloSquare |
| 1BR city center | ~$297 | Numbeo |
| 1BR (retiree budget) | ~$244 | VagabondBuddha |
Sources: SoloSquare, Numbeo, SeekVietnam, VagabondBuddha
What you get:
- $140-200: Basic studio or 1BR, older building, local neighborhood, minimal amenities
- $230-320: Modern 1BR, furnished, air conditioning, decent location
- $320-460: New condo, good location, pool/gym, expat-friendly
See our renting guide for how to find apartments.
Utilities
| Utility | Monthly Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Electricity (with AC) | $30-70 |
| Water | $5-10 |
| Internet | $10-25 |
| Phone/SIM | $5-15 |
| Total Utilities | $50-120 |
Air conditioning note: Electricity is metered and AC use drives costs up significantly. May-September (hot season), expect $50-70/month if running AC daily. February-April, you can manage with fans ($15-25/month).
Food
Eating Out
| Meal Type | Cost (USD) | Frequency | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street food breakfast | $1-2 | Daily | $30-60 |
| Local restaurant lunch | $2-4 | Daily | $60-120 |
| Restaurant dinner | $4-8 | Daily | $120-240 |
| Coffee | $0.60-1.25 | Daily | $20-40 |
| Total (eating out) | $230-460 |
Groceries & Cooking at Home
If you cook at home (mix of local markets and occasional Western products):
- Budget: $80-120/month (local produce, rice, proteins from markets)
- Mid-range: $120-180/month (mix of local and some imported items)
Strategy: Most expats do a mix: street food for breakfast/lunch ($3-6/day = $90-180/month), cook dinner at home ($2-4/day = $60-120/month). Total: $150-300/month.
Transportation
| Method | Monthly Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Rent motorbike | $60-80 (daily) or $40-60 (monthly rate) |
| Buy used motorbike | $200-500 one-time + gas ~$10-20/mo |
| Grab/taxi occasionally | $20-40 |
| Gas (if owning) | $10-25 |
Best option: Buy a used motorbike if staying 3+ months. Renting monthly (~$50/month) or buying outright ($200-500) is far cheaper than daily rentals or constant Grab rides.
Internet & Phone
- Home internet: $10-25/month for fiber (50-300 Mbps)
- SIM card with data: $5-15/month (unlimited or high-cap data plans)
See our remote work guide for internet quality details.
Healthcare
- Doctor visit: $10-30
- Dental cleaning: $20-40
- Prescription meds: Cheap (many generics $2-10)
- International health insurance: $50-200/month depending on age and coverage
See our healthcare guide for expat insurance options.
Entertainment & Lifestyle
| Activity | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Gym membership | $12-25/month |
| Movie ticket | $3.25-5 |
| Massage (1 hour) | $8-15 |
| Beer at a bar | $1-2.50 |
| Domestic travel (weekend) | $50-150 |
Real-World Budgets
Budget Living: $580-770/month
- Basic 1BR apartment: $165
- Utilities (minimal AC): $50
- Street food + home cooking: $150
- Rented motorbike: $50
- Phone/internet: $20
- Entertainment: $50
- Total: ~$485-635/month
Comfortable Living: $860-1,150/month
- Modern 1BR: $275
- Utilities (AC in summer): $80
- Mix of restaurants and home cooking: $250
- Own motorbike (gas + maintenance): $25
- Phone/internet: $25
- Gym, occasional massage, weekend trips: $120
- Health insurance: $100
- Total: ~$875-1,125/month
Expat Comfort: $1,295-1,650/month
- Nice condo (pool/gym): $410
- Utilities: $100
- Restaurants most meals, some Western food: $400
- Own motorbike + occasional Grab: $50
- Fast internet: $25
- Gym, massages, regular travel: $200
- International health insurance: $150
- Total: ~$1,335-1,625/month
Cost Comparison: Quy Nhon vs Other Cities
| City | Monthly Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Quy Nhon | $680-1,150 | Comfortable living |
| Da Nang | $900-1,500 | More expat services, higher rent |
| Nha Trang | $800-1,400 | Tourist pricing, beach premium |
| Ho Chi Minh City | $1,200-2,000 | Urban living, international options |
| US coastal city | $2,500-4,000+ | For comparison |
Hidden Costs to Consider
- Visa runs: $50-150 every 90 days (flight/bus to border + new e-visa)
- Shipping/importing: If you need specific US products, shipping is expensive
- Travel home: Flights to US $800-1,500 round-trip
- Motorbike repairs: Occasional, but factor $20-50/year
- Learning Vietnamese: Optional, but tutors are $5-15/hour
Can You Live on $1,000/Month?
Yes, comfortably. A single person can live well in Quy Nhon on $860-1,050/month with:
- Decent apartment
- Regular restaurant meals
- Motorbike transport
- Occasional entertainment and travel
Couples can share rent and some costs, living comfortably on $1,150-1,550/month combined.
See our retirement guide for retiree-specific budgets.
Summary
Quy Nhon Monthly Cost of Living
Budget: $580-770/month (basic living, street food, limited amenities)
Comfortable: $860-1,150/month (modern apartment, mix of cooking and dining out, entertainment)
Expat Comfort: $1,295-1,650/month (nice condo, frequent dining out, international insurance)
Bottom line: 50-70% cheaper than US coastal cities with good quality of life.
Next: Learn how to find an apartment or see if you can retire in Quy Nhon.