Capital city in Vientiane Prefecture, Laos
Cost of living in Vientiane
How much a month costs in Vientiane
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $538–987 (₭12M–22M).
Prices in Vientiane
Typical 2026 ranges in LAK, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | LAK | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | ₭5M–10M | $224–449 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | ₭2.5M–5.5M | $112–247 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | ₭80,000–150,000 | $3.6–6.7 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | ₭350,000–800,000 | $16–36 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | ₭30,000–60,000 | $1.3–2.7 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | ₭100,000–250,000 | $4.5–11.2 |
| Cappuccino | ₭25,000–50,000 | $1.1–2.2 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | ₭20,000–45,000 | $0.9–2.0 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | ₭6,000–10,000 | $0.27–0.45 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | ₭40,000–90,000 | $1.8–4.0 |
| Work and life | ||
| Coworking day pass | ₭60,000–120,000 | $2.7–5.4 |
| Gym membership (month) | ₭400,000–1M | $18–45 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | ₭60,000–150,000 | $2.7–6.7 |
Value for money: 90/100
A value score of 90/100 means Vientiane gives more quality of life per dollar than 89% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 51/100. It's the 8th most affordable of 8 places we cover in Laos.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Laos
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Nong Khiaw | $269–449 | 100/100 |
| 4000 Islands | $314–538 | 99/100 |
| Phonsavan | $337–583 | 99/100 |
| Pakse | $359–628 | 98/100 |
| Thakhek | $359–628 | 98/100 |
| Vang Vieng | $404–673 | 95/100 |
| Luang Prabang | $538–897 | 91/100 |
| Vientiane | $538–987 | 90/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Vientiane
Similar safety, lower cost, in Southeast Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Bromo | Indonesia | $503–783 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Vientiane?
About $269–404 on a lean budget, $538–987 for a comfortable month and $1,350–2,470 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Vientiane?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs ₭5M–10M ($224–449) a month in the center and ₭2.5M–5.5M ($112–247) outside it.
How much does food cost in Vientiane?
A local meal is ₭30,000–60,000 ($1.3–2.7); a mid-range restaurant is ₭100,000–250,000 ($4.5–11.2) per person.
Is Laos expensive?
Prices in Laos are about 23% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Vientiane
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.