Can I Afford to Live in Minneapolis vs Ho Chi Minh City on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses โ€” based on Q1 2026 data.

Minneapolis, MN
$5,496/mo take-home
Rent: $1,700/mo (31% of take-home)
Manageable
Ho Chi Minh City, VN
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $500/mo (8% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Minneapolis
MN
Ho Chi Minh City
VN
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,496
$6,321Best โœ“
1BR rent
$1,700
$500Best โœ“
Groceries (est.)
$391
$380Best โœ“
Transport (est.)
$95Best โœ“
$150
Utilities
$195
$50Best โœ“
Internet
$65
$15Best โœ“
Left after essentials
$3,050/month
$5,226/month
Ho Chi Minh City (Ho Chi Minh City) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Minneapolis (MN rate: 9.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Minneapolis?

At $100K/year in Minneapolis, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,496. With 1BR rent around $1,700/month, rent takes up 31% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $100K a good salary in Ho Chi Minh City?

At $100K/year in Ho Chi Minh City, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $500/month, rent takes up 8% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

Ho Chi Minh City leaves you with more money after core expenses โ€” $5,226/month vs $3,050/month in Minneapolis.

Can I afford to live alone in Minneapolis on $100K?

Yes. At $100K in Minneapolis, rent takes 31% of your take-home, leaving $3,050/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands โ€” Minneapolis vs Ho Chi Minh City

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more โ€” side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo ยท Q1 2026 ยท For general guidance only