Southeast Asia Updated
Average Cost of Living in Vientiane-Laos
The average cost of living in Vientiane-Laos, Laos is $680 per month for a single person, and $1,645 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $617 per month. The local average net salary is $274 per month.
Very affordable
Updated today
Index 15.4 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $680 / month
- Family of 4
- $1,645 / mo
- Student
- $411 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Vientiane-Laos
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$273.66 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Vientiane-Laos | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Vientiane-Laos | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Vientiane-Laos | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Vientiane-Laos | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Vientiane-Laos | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Vientiane-Laos | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Vientiane-Laos | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Vientiane-Laos | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Vientiane-Laos | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Vientiane-Laos | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Vientiane-Laos FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Vientiane-Laos. |
Rent & Property Prices in Vientiane-Laos
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $617 | $365 – $1,450 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $419 | $228 – $1,400 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,097 | $500 – $2,080 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $697 | $410 – $3,800 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $2,341 | $1,824 – $2,600 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $1,122 | $1,122 – $1,122 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $617$365 – $1,450
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $419$228 – $1,400
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,097$500 – $2,080
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $697$410 – $3,800
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $2,341$1,824 – $2,600
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $1,122$1,122 – $1,122
Grocery Prices in Vientiane-Laos
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $2.05 | $1.60 – $2.74 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $1.16 | $0.68 – $2.05 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $1.02 | $0.82 – $1.37 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $1.91 | $0.91 – $2.46 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $28 | $13 – $31 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $6.29 | $2.83 – $10 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $6.99 | $5.00 – $7.75 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2.44 | $1.00 – $3.88 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $1.16 | $0.68 – $1.37 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $2.68 | $1.37 – $4.56 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1.57 | $1.05 – $2.05 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $1.49 | $1.00 – $2.55 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $1.09 | $0.91 – $1.14 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $0.56 | $0.46 – $0.78 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $0.39 | $0.27 – $0.50 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $10 | $4.56 – $14 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $1.07 | $0.76 – $1.37 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.88 | $0.91 – $2.50 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $1.82 | $1.60 – $2.28 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $2.05$1.60 – $2.74
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $1.16$0.68 – $2.05
- White Rice (1 kg) $1.02$0.82 – $1.37
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $1.91$0.91 – $2.46
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $28$13 – $31
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $6.29$2.83 – $10
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $6.99$5.00 – $7.75
- Apples (1 kg) $2.44$1.00 – $3.88
- Bananas (1 kg) $1.16$0.68 – $1.37
- Oranges (1 kg) $2.68$1.37 – $4.56
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $1.57$1.05 – $2.05
- Potatoes (1 kg) $1.49$1.00 – $2.55
- Onions (1 kg) $1.09$0.91 – $1.14
- Lettuce (1 Head) $0.56$0.46 – $0.78
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $0.39$0.27 – $0.50
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $10$4.56 – $14
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $1.07$0.76 – $1.37
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.88$0.91 – $2.50
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $1.82$1.60 – $2.28
Public Transport & Car Costs in Vientiane-Laos
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.46 | $0.36 – $0.91 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $50 | — |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $1.25 | $1.14 – $4.56 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $0.91 | $0.68 – $2.28 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $4.56 | — |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.40 | $1.31 – $1.78 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $28,551 | $27,000 – $30,102 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $29,359 | $23,717 – $35,000 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $0.46$0.36 – $0.91
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $50
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $1.25$1.14 – $4.56
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $0.91$0.68 – $2.28
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $4.56
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.40$1.31 – $1.78
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $28,551$27,000 – $30,102
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $29,359$23,717 – $35,000
Utility & Internet Costs in Vientiane-Laos
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $92 | $55 – $114 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $33 | $25 – $40 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $13 | $11 – $15 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $92$55 – $114
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $33$25 – $40
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $13$11 – $15
Childcare & Preschool in Vientiane-Laos
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $633 | $399 – $929 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $9,937 | $5,000 – $25,680 |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $633$399 – $929
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $9,937$5,000 – $25,680
Clothing Prices in Vientiane-Laos
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $27 | — |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $68 | — |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $58 | $50 – $68 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $42 | $25 – $55 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $27
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $68
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $58$50 – $68
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $42$25 – $55
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Vientiane-Laos
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $49 | $10 – $73 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $7.75 | $5.00 – $9.12 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $4.33 | $2.28 – $4.56 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $49$10 – $73
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $7.75$5.00 – $9.12
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $4.33$2.28 – $4.56
Restaurant Prices in Vientiane-Laos
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $2.51 | $2.05 – $5.47 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $18 | $18 – $30 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $5.47 | $3.50 – $5.47 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.39 | $0.91 – $2.28 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.82 | $1.60 – $3.50 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $1.74 | $1.14 – $2.51 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $0.73 | $0.55 – $1.37 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.38 | $0.27 – $0.46 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $2.51$2.05 – $5.47
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $18$18 – $30
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $5.47$3.50 – $5.47
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $1.39$0.91 – $2.28
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.82$1.60 – $3.50
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $1.74$1.14 – $2.51
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $0.73$0.55 – $1.37
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $0.38$0.27 – $0.46
Salaries & Mortgages in Vientiane-Laos
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $274 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 10.00% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $274
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 10.00%
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Vientiane-Laos?
- An estimated $680 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Vientiane-Laos. A family of four needs around $1,645 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $411.
- How much money do I need to live in Vientiane-Laos?
- Plan for at least $680 per month as a single person, $1,645 per month for a family of four, or $411 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Vientiane-Laos.
- What is the average rent in Vientiane-Laos?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Vientiane-Laos rents for around $617 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $1,097 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Vientiane-Laos?
- The average monthly net salary in Vientiane-Laos is around $274. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 225% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Vientiane-Laos?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Vientiane-Laos costs around $2.51. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $44 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($2.05/L) and bread ($1.16/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Vientiane-Laos?
- A monthly public transport pass in Vientiane-Laos costs around $50. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Vientiane-Laos?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Vientiane-Laos costs around $13 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.