Compare countries · Thailand vs Vietnam
Thailand vs Vietnam
Across 13 comparable indicators: Thailand leads on 6, Vietnam on 7. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Thailand cheaper than Vietnam?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Thailand at 38.0 and Vietnam at 26.4. Vietnam is about 31% cheaper overall.
Is Thailand or Vietnam safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Thailand scores 2.09 and Vietnam scores 1.74. Vietnam ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Thailand or Vietnam?
On the UN Human Development Index, Thailand scores 0.798 and Vietnam scores 0.766. Thailand 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 Thailand compared to Vietnam?
GNI per capita runs $7,690 in Thailand against $4,970 in Vietnam; people live 76.6 years on average against 74.7; Numbeo users rate healthcare 78 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)
Thailand
38.0
Better than 62% of countries
Vietnam
26.4
Better than 92% of countries
Vietnam: 31% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Thailand
13.9
Around the global middle
Vietnam
9.9
Better than 76% of countries
Vietnam: 29% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Thailand
2.09
Worse than 62% of countries
Vietnam
1.74
Better than 75% of countries
Vietnam: more peaceful (1.74 vs 2.09).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Thailand
63.4
Better than 68% of countries
Vietnam
59.9
Better than 62% of countries
Thailand: higher perceived safety (63.4 vs 59.9).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Thailand
0.798
Better than 60% of countries
Vietnam
0.766
Around the global middle
Thailand: higher human development (0.798 vs 0.766).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Thailand
$26,250
Better than 58% of countries
Vietnam
$18,088
Worse than 55% of countries
Thailand: 45% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Thailand
76.6 yrs
Better than 62% of countries
Vietnam
74.7 yrs
Around the global middle
Thailand: 1.9 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Thailand
77.5
Better than 92% of countries
Vietnam
62.2
Worse than 56% of countries
Thailand: better-rated healthcare (77.5 vs 62.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Thailand
274 Mbps
Better than 91% of countries
Vietnam
289 Mbps
Better than 95% of countries
Vietnam: 5% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Thailand
54/100
Around the global middle
Vietnam
21/100
Worse than 97% of countries
Thailand: freer press (54 vs 21 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Thailand
6.30
Better than 65% of countries
Vietnam
6.43
Better than 69% of countries
Vietnam: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.43 vs 6.30).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Thailand
402
Worse than 95% of countries
Vietnam
500
Worse than 56% of countries
Vietnam: stronger English proficiency (500 vs 402).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Thailand
68.0
Worse than 82% of countries
Vietnam
71.1
Worse than 72% of countries
Vietnam: more pleasant climate rating (71.1 vs 68.0).
Deciding between Thailand 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 Thailand profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Vietnam profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.