$80K in Charleston = $31,340 in Ho Chi Minh City
Your $80K salary in Charleston (COL 97) has the same purchasing power as $31,340 in Ho Chi Minh City (COL 38). Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper — your money goes 61% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Charleston $80K | Ho Chi Minh City $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,643 | $5,057 |
| 1BR rent | $1,900 | $500 |
| Groceries | $376 | $380 |
| Transport | $55 | $150 |
| Utilities | $162 | $50 |
| Internet | $63 | $15 |
| Left after essentials | $2,087/month | $3,962/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Charleston equivalent to in Ho Chi Minh City?
$80K in Charleston (COL index 97) has the same purchasing power as $31,340 in Ho Chi Minh City (COL index 38). That's 61% less than your current salary.
If I move from Charleston to Ho Chi Minh City keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Ho Chi Minh City, you'd have $1,875 more per month after core expenses — because Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper than Charleston.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $80K × (38 ÷ 97) = $31,340. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Charleston to Ho Chi Minh City
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only