Back to Resources

    Ho Chi Minh City vs Milan: A Complete Data-Driven Comparison

    ๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ณ

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Vietnam ยท $900/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad
    ๐Ÿ‘—

    Milan

    Italy ยท $2,600/mo

    0.00
    Total
    0.00
    Nomad

    Choosing between Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Milan, Italy is one of the most common dilemmas facing digital nomads, expats, and remote workers in 2026. Both cities offer unique advantages. But the right choice depends entirely on your priorities, budget, and lifestyle preferences.

    In this comprehensive comparison, we analyze Ho Chi Minh City and Milan across 12 critical categories: Economic Factors, Quality of Life, Infrastructure & Connectivity, Housing & Living Spaces, and 8 more categories. Each category is scored on a 0-100 scale using data from over 20 verified sources, including Numbeo, WHO, Speedtest, and local government statistics.

    Ho Chi Minh City earns an overall score of 70.62/100, while Milan scores 73.14/100. A 2.52-point modest gap that Milan leads. But headline scores never tell the full story. Let's break down exactly where each city excels and where it falls short.

    Ho Chi Minh City is described as: "Vietnam's economic engine. Rock-bottom costs and an exploding cafรฉ culture for remote workers." Meanwhile, Milan is known as: "Italy's business capital. Fashion, design, and finance converge in this dynamic city." These reputations are earned. But how do they hold up under rigorous data analysis? Read on.

    Economic Factors

    Ho Chi Minh City

    75
    / 100

    Milan

    61

    In economic factors, Ho Chi Minh City takes the lead with a score of 75/100 compared to 61/100. This category covers employment & income, cost factors, economic environment.

    Ho Chi Minh City has a commanding lead in cost factors (84 vs 53).

    Ho Chi Minh City stands out for daily living costs, healthcare costs, transportation costs, though salary levels and education costs could be improved. Milan performs well in currency stability and transportation costs despite the overall gap.

    Employment & Income

    Ho Chi Minh City

    66
    / 100

    Milan

    67

    Job Market Strength

    62/ 10078

    Salary Levels

    45/ 10062

    Freelance/Remote Work Market

    82/ 10058

    Entrepreneurship Environment

    73/ 10068

    Cost Factors

    Ho Chi Minh City

    84
    / 100

    Milan

    53

    Housing Costs

    88/ 10032

    Daily Living Costs

    93/ 10038

    Transportation Costs

    90/ 10088

    Entertainment Costs

    88/ 10045

    Healthcare Costs

    92/ 10072

    Education Costs

    55/ 10042

    Economic Environment

    Ho Chi Minh City

    71
    / 100

    Milan

    68

    Tax Rates

    68/ 10038

    Business Regulations

    62/ 10042

    Economic Stability

    78/ 10082

    Currency Stability

    72/ 10092

    Banking System

    76/ 10085

    Quality of Life

    Ho Chi Minh City

    60
    / 100

    Milan

    70

    In quality of life, Milan takes the lead with a score of 70/100 compared to 60/100. This category covers healthcare, education, safety & environment, climate & nature.

    Milan has a solid advantage in education (83 vs 68). Milan has a solid advantage in climate & nature (70 vs 56).

    Milan stands out for universities, mountains/hiking, political stability, though beach/water access and air quality could be improved. Ho Chi Minh City performs well in healthcare affordability and political stability despite the overall gap.

    Healthcare

    Ho Chi Minh City

    65
    / 100

    Milan

    67

    Healthcare Quality

    64/ 10071

    Healthcare Accessibility

    68/ 10078

    Healthcare Affordability

    89/ 10070

    English-Speaking Medical Staff

    62/ 10062

    Mental Health Services

    38/ 10052

    Dental Care

    68/ 10068

    Education

    Ho Chi Minh City

    68
    / 100

    Milan

    83

    School Quality

    58/ 10078

    International Schools

    72/ 10082

    Universities

    68/ 10093

    Language Schools

    78/ 10088

    Vocational Training

    62/ 10072

    Safety & Environment

    Ho Chi Minh City

    54
    / 100

    Milan

    62

    Crime Rates

    52/ 10046

    Personal Safety

    51/ 10047

    Political Stability

    82/ 10090

    Natural Disaster Risk

    68/ 10088

    Air Quality

    28/ 10032

    Water Quality

    55/ 10085

    Noise Pollution

    42/ 10045

    Climate & Nature

    Ho Chi Minh City

    56
    / 100

    Milan

    70

    Climate Suitability

    59/ 10085

    Sunshine Hours

    68/ 10065

    Rainfall Patterns

    48/ 10070

    Natural Beauty

    72/ 10088

    Green Spaces

    52/ 10078

    Beach/Water Access

    78/ 10015

    Mountains/Hiking

    18/ 10092

    Infrastructure & Connectivity

    Ho Chi Minh City

    72
    / 100

    Milan

    79

    In infrastructure & connectivity, Milan takes the lead with a score of 79/100 compared to 72/100. This category covers transportation, connectivity, digital infrastructure.

    Milan has a solid advantage in transportation (80 vs 65).

    Milan stands out for public transport affordability, airport connectivity, train connections, though ferry connections and driving conditions could be improved. Ho Chi Minh City performs well in public transport affordability and internet speed despite the overall gap.

    Transportation

    Ho Chi Minh City

    65
    / 100

    Milan

    80

    Public Transport Quality

    63/ 10092

    Public Transport Coverage

    72/ 10090

    Public Transport Affordability

    94/ 10095

    Bike Infrastructure

    35/ 10068

    Walkability

    53/ 10082

    Traffic Congestion

    48/ 10072

    Driving Conditions

    42/ 10065

    Taxi/Rideshare

    93/ 10078

    Car Ownership Necessity

    82/ 10082

    Connectivity

    Ho Chi Minh City

    68
    / 100

    Milan

    70

    Airport Connectivity

    82/ 10095

    Airport Distance

    88/ 10082

    Train Connections

    38/ 10095

    Bus Connections

    78/ 10080

    Ferry Connections

    52/ 1000

    Digital Infrastructure

    Ho Chi Minh City

    85
    / 100

    Milan

    85

    Internet Speed

    94/ 10085

    Internet Reliability

    82/ 10088

    Internet Cost

    93/ 10082

    Mobile Network Quality

    91/ 10088

    Coworking Spaces

    83/ 10090

    Public WiFi

    68/ 10075

    Housing & Living Spaces

    Ho Chi Minh City

    73
    / 100

    Milan

    63

    In housing & living spaces, Ho Chi Minh City takes the lead with a score of 73/100 compared to 63/100. This category covers housing market, neighborhoods.

    Ho Chi Minh City has a solid advantage in housing market (69 vs 53).

    Ho Chi Minh City stands out for rental costs, expat/international areas, proximity to amenities, though purchase prices and landlord regulations could be improved. Milan performs well in proximity to amenities and expat/international areas despite the overall gap.

    Housing Market

    Ho Chi Minh City

    69
    / 100

    Milan

    53

    Rental Availability

    82/ 10038

    Rental Costs

    89/ 10030

    Purchase Prices

    42/ 10035

    Housing Quality

    64/ 10080

    Housing Variety

    76/ 10082

    Landlord Regulations

    58/ 10055

    Neighborhoods

    Ho Chi Minh City

    80
    / 100

    Milan

    78

    Neighborhood Diversity

    78/ 10078

    Expat/International Areas

    88/ 10085

    Gentrification Trends

    65/ 10055

    Proximity to Amenities

    87/ 10092

    Daily Life & Services

    Ho Chi Minh City

    82
    / 100

    Milan

    81

    In daily life & services, Ho Chi Minh City takes the lead with a score of 82/100 compared to 81/100. This category covers shopping & retail, food & dining, essential services, utilities & connectivity.

    Ho Chi Minh City stands out for street food, restaurant variety, food delivery, though postal services and waste management could be improved. Milan performs well in international brands and restaurant variety despite the overall gap.

    Shopping & Retail

    Ho Chi Minh City

    82
    / 100

    Milan

    81

    Supermarket Availability

    88/ 10090

    Shopping Mall Quantity

    78/ 10075

    Shopping Mall Quality

    72/ 10080

    International Brands

    75/ 10095

    Local Markets

    93/ 10090

    Opening Hours

    84/ 10055

    E-commerce

    82/ 10085

    Food & Dining

    Ho Chi Minh City

    90
    / 100

    Milan

    82

    Restaurant Variety

    94/ 10095

    Restaurant Quality

    89/ 10095

    Restaurant Affordability

    93/ 10042

    Cafรฉ Culture

    84/ 10095

    Street Food

    96/ 10065

    Alcohol Availability

    82/ 10090

    Food Delivery

    94/ 10090

    Essential Services

    Ho Chi Minh City

    80
    / 100

    Milan

    82

    Pharmacy Density

    93/ 10092

    24-Hour Pharmacies

    78/ 10080

    Medicine Availability

    82/ 10090

    Postal Services

    62/ 10072

    Banking Services

    84/ 10085

    Laundry Services

    89/ 10080

    Repair Services

    78/ 10075

    Hair Salons/Barbers

    88/ 10085

    Pet Services

    68/ 10078

    Utilities & Connectivity

    Ho Chi Minh City

    74
    / 100

    Milan

    80

    Electricity Reliability

    79/ 10095

    Water Reliability

    74/ 10090

    Utility Costs

    88/ 10065

    Heating/Cooling

    65/ 10070

    Waste Management

    63/ 10080

    Cultural & Social Life

    Ho Chi Minh City

    70
    / 100

    Milan

    78

    In cultural & social life, Milan takes the lead with a score of 78/100 compared to 70/100. This category covers culture & entertainment, social life, community.

    Milan has a solid advantage in culture & entertainment (87 vs 68).

    Milan stands out for museums & galleries, historical sites, theaters & performing arts, though language barriers and nightlife safety could be improved. Ho Chi Minh City performs well in historical sites and expat community size despite the overall gap.

    Culture & Entertainment

    Ho Chi Minh City

    68
    / 100

    Milan

    87

    Museums & Galleries

    68/ 10095

    Historical Sites

    85/ 10095

    Theaters & Performing Arts

    52/ 10092

    Music Scene

    72/ 10085

    Cinema Options

    78/ 10078

    Libraries

    60/ 10075

    Art Scene

    64/ 10090

    Social Life

    Ho Chi Minh City

    69
    / 100

    Milan

    78

    Nightlife Quality

    83/ 10085

    Nightlife Safety

    58/ 10055

    Festival Calendar

    78/ 10085

    Sports Culture

    70/ 10090

    Social Clubs

    72/ 10075

    Dating Scene

    78/ 10075

    LGBTQ+ Scene

    42/ 10078

    Community

    Ho Chi Minh City

    73
    / 100

    Milan

    66

    Local Friendliness

    84/ 10062

    Expat Community Size

    85/ 10085

    Expat Integration

    71/ 10060

    Language Barriers

    48/ 10032

    Cultural Events

    76/ 10090

    Professional & Career

    Ho Chi Minh City

    74
    / 100

    Milan

    75

    In professional & career, Milan takes the lead with a score of 75/100 compared to 74/100. This category covers business environment, work environment, market opportunities.

    Milan stands out for industry clusters, internet for work, major companies, though competition level and work-life balance could be improved. Ho Chi Minh City performs well in internet for work and coworking culture despite the overall gap.

    Business Environment

    Ho Chi Minh City

    72
    / 100

    Milan

    81

    Industry Clusters

    70/ 10090

    Major Companies

    72/ 10085

    Startup Ecosystem

    74/ 10072

    Coworking Culture

    81/ 10085

    Professional Networking

    68/ 10080

    Business Associations

    65/ 10075

    Work Environment

    Ho Chi Minh City

    77
    / 100

    Milan

    75

    Work-Life Balance

    59/ 10055

    Remote Work Acceptance

    79/ 10075

    Internet for Work

    93/ 10090

    Time Zone

    74/ 10085

    Business Visa Options

    78/ 10070

    Market Opportunities

    Ho Chi Minh City

    72
    / 100

    Milan

    64

    Client Base

    73/ 10085

    Freelance Market

    81/ 10060

    Competition Level

    62/ 10048

    Lifestyle & Pace

    Ho Chi Minh City

    69
    / 100

    Milan

    68

    In lifestyle & pace, Ho Chi Minh City takes the lead with a score of 69/100 compared to 68/100. This category covers daily rhythm, lifestyle options, tourism impact.

    Milan has a solid advantage in lifestyle options (76 vs 63).

    Ho Chi Minh City stands out for shop opening hours, dining hours, tourism seasonality, though crowding and outdoor lifestyle could be improved. Milan performs well in dining hours and tourist infrastructure despite the overall gap.

    Daily Rhythm

    Ho Chi Minh City

    74
    / 100

    Milan

    66

    Pace of Life

    62/ 10060

    Working Hours Culture

    64/ 10050

    Dining Hours

    82/ 10085

    Shop Opening Hours

    85/ 10060

    Weekend Culture

    76/ 10075

    Lifestyle Options

    Ho Chi Minh City

    63
    / 100

    Milan

    76

    Outdoor Lifestyle

    54/ 10080

    Fitness Culture

    66/ 10075

    Health Consciousness

    58/ 10065

    Pet Friendliness

    64/ 10080

    Family Orientation

    71/ 10078

    Tourism Impact

    Ho Chi Minh City

    70
    / 100

    Milan

    61

    Tourist Volume

    65/ 10045

    Tourism Seasonality

    82/ 10055

    Tourist Infrastructure

    76/ 10085

    Authenticity

    79/ 10080

    Crowding

    48/ 10040

    Legal & Administrative

    Ho Chi Minh City

    59
    / 100

    Milan

    68

    In legal & administrative, Milan takes the lead with a score of 68/100 compared to 59/100. This category covers visa & residency, administration, rights & freedoms.

    Milan has a commanding lead in rights & freedoms (82 vs 54).

    Milan stands out for deportation risk, religious freedom, freedom of speech, though bureaucracy level and residency process could be improved. Ho Chi Minh City performs well in visa requirements and deportation risk despite the overall gap.

    Visa & Residency

    Ho Chi Minh City

    65
    / 100

    Milan

    64

    Visa Requirements

    84/ 10068

    Residency Options

    73/ 10078

    Residency Process

    54/ 10038

    Citizenship Pathway

    35/ 10045

    Deportation Risk

    79/ 10092

    Administration

    Ho Chi Minh City

    59
    / 100

    Milan

    57

    Bureaucracy Level

    41/ 10035

    Digital Government

    58/ 10062

    Document Requirements

    59/ 10060

    Language Requirements

    72/ 10045

    Legal System

    63/ 10082

    Rights & Freedoms

    Ho Chi Minh City

    54
    / 100

    Milan

    82

    Freedom of Speech

    32/ 10085

    Religious Freedom

    71/ 10088

    Women's Rights

    68/ 10080

    LGBTQ+ Rights

    39/ 10075

    Worker Rights

    58/ 10080

    Family & Children

    Ho Chi Minh City

    71
    / 100

    Milan

    72

    In family & children, Milan takes the lead with a score of 72/100 compared to 71/100. This category covers child-friendly infrastructure, family services.

    Milan has a solid advantage in child-friendly infrastructure (77 vs 67).

    Milan stands out for kid activities, playgrounds, pediatric care, though childcare costs and child safety could be improved. Ho Chi Minh City performs well in childcare costs and childcare availability despite the overall gap.

    Child-Friendly Infrastructure

    Ho Chi Minh City

    67
    / 100

    Milan

    77

    Playgrounds

    68/ 10080

    Kid Activities

    71/ 10085

    Child Safety

    59/ 10065

    Pediatric Care

    69/ 10080

    Baby/Toddler Facilities

    66/ 10075

    Family Services

    Ho Chi Minh City

    76
    / 100

    Milan

    67

    Childcare Availability

    79/ 10070

    Childcare Costs

    87/ 10038

    School Holidays

    70/ 10070

    Extracurricular Activities

    68/ 10080

    Family Housing

    74/ 10075

    Practical Considerations

    Ho Chi Minh City

    73
    / 100

    Milan

    75

    In practical considerations, Milan takes the lead with a score of 75/100 compared to 73/100. This category covers transportation costs, special services, communication, emergency services.

    Ho Chi Minh City has a solid advantage in transportation costs (77 vs 62). Milan has a solid advantage in emergency services (84 vs 71).

    Milan stands out for emergency numbers, gas station density, language learning, though fuel prices and vehicle costs could be improved. Ho Chi Minh City performs well in gas station density and emergency numbers despite the overall gap.

    Transportation Costs

    Ho Chi Minh City

    77
    / 100

    Milan

    62

    Fuel Prices

    86/ 10048

    Gas Station Density

    89/ 10085

    EV Infrastructure

    45/ 10062

    Vehicle Costs

    84/ 10050

    Vehicle Maintenance

    82/ 10065

    Special Services

    Ho Chi Minh City

    71
    / 100

    Milan

    79

    Moving Services

    71/ 10080

    Storage Facilities

    64/ 10075

    Translation Services

    79/ 10080

    Legal Services

    71/ 10080

    Accounting Services

    69/ 10078

    Communication

    Ho Chi Minh City

    72
    / 100

    Milan

    78

    Postal Reliability

    61/ 10072

    Package Import

    66/ 10068

    Language Learning

    77/ 10085

    International Calling

    84/ 10085

    Emergency Services

    Ho Chi Minh City

    71
    / 100

    Milan

    84

    Emergency Response

    64/ 10080

    Emergency Healthcare

    73/ 10082

    Emergency Numbers

    88/ 10095

    Natural Disaster Preparedness

    59/ 10078

    Specific to Your Profile

    Ho Chi Minh City

    69
    / 100

    Milan

    76

    In specific to your profile, Milan takes the lead with a score of 76/100 compared to 69/100. This category covers remote work specific, personal circumstances.

    Milan stands out for cafรฉ laptop culture, video call quality, coworking day passes, though language skills and citizenship advantages could be improved. Ho Chi Minh City performs well in video call quality and dietary requirements despite the overall gap.

    Remote Work Specific

    Ho Chi Minh City

    79
    / 100

    Milan

    84

    Time Zone Alignment

    71/ 10080

    Coworking Day Passes

    80/ 10085

    Cafรฉ Laptop Culture

    86/ 10090

    Video Call Quality

    91/ 10090

    Tech Ecosystem

    69/ 10075

    Personal Circumstances

    Ho Chi Minh City

    62
    / 100

    Milan

    71

    Citizenship Advantages

    45/ 10055

    Partner Citizenship Advantages

    50/ 10060

    Industry Presence

    65/ 10080

    Language Skills

    40/ 10040

    Religious/Cultural Fit

    68/ 10080

    Dietary Requirements

    89/ 10085

    Hobby Availability

    76/ 10085

    Pet Import Rules

    62/ 10085

    The Verdict: Ho Chi Minh City or Milan?

    With an overall score of 73.14/100 versus 70.62/100, Milan leads on paper. But the "better" city ultimately depends on what matters most to you.

    Ho Chi Minh City excels in economic factors, housing & living spaces, daily life & services. Milan leads in quality of life, infrastructure & connectivity, cultural & social life.

    Use our interactive comparison tool to drill deeper into specific metrics. No single ranking captures the complexity of choosing a new home. But data-driven analysis gives you the best starting point.

    Dive Deeper with Our Interactive Tool

    See the full data breakdown with live filtering and side-by-side analysis.

    Compare Ho Chi Minh City vs Milan Live