Compare countries · Japan vs Vietnam
Japan vs Vietnam
Across 13 comparable indicators: Japan leads on 8, Vietnam on 5. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Japan cheaper than Vietnam?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Japan at 47.5 and Vietnam at 26.4. Vietnam is about 44% cheaper overall.
Is Japan or Vietnam safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Japan scores 1.49 and Vietnam scores 1.74. Japan ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Japan or Vietnam?
On the UN Human Development Index, Japan scores 0.920 and Vietnam scores 0.726. Japan scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Japan compared to Vietnam?
GNI per capita runs $38,340 in Japan against $4,970 in Vietnam; people live 84.0 years on average against 74.7; Numbeo users rate healthcare 80 against 62. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
47.5
Worse than 61% of countries
Vietnam
26.4
Better than 92% of countries
Vietnam: 44% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
14.7
Around the global middle
Vietnam
9.9
Better than 76% of countries
Vietnam: 33% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Japan
1.49
Better than 94% of countries
Vietnam
1.74
Better than 75% of countries
Japan: more peaceful (1.49 vs 1.74).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Japan
77.2
Better than 93% of countries
Vietnam
59.9
Better than 62% of countries
Japan: higher perceived safety (77.2 vs 59.9).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Japan
0.920
Better than 88% of countries
Vietnam
0.726
Worse than 55% of countries
Japan: higher human development (0.920 vs 0.726).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Japan
$55,422
Better than 79% of countries
Vietnam
$18,088
Worse than 55% of countries
Japan: 206% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Japan
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Vietnam
74.7 yrs
Around the global middle
Japan: 9.3 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Japan
80.1
Better than 96% of countries
Vietnam
62.2
Worse than 56% of countries
Japan: better-rated healthcare (80.1 vs 62.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Japan
256 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
Vietnam
289 Mbps
Better than 95% of countries
Vietnam: 13% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Japan
63/100
Better than 65% of countries
Vietnam
21/100
Worse than 97% of countries
Japan: freer press (63 vs 21 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Japan
6.13
Better than 58% of countries
Vietnam
6.43
Better than 69% of countries
Vietnam: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.43 vs 6.13).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Japan
446
Worse than 80% of countries
Vietnam
500
Worse than 56% of countries
Vietnam: stronger English proficiency (500 vs 446).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Japan
83.8
Better than 59% of countries
Vietnam
71.1
Worse than 72% of countries
Japan: more pleasant climate rating (83.8 vs 71.1).
Deciding between Japan and Vietnam for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Japan profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Vietnam profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.