Raising a Family Abroad: Cost of Living in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila
- Adon Beddoes
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
For many expat families, Southeast Asia is an appealing choice: lower living costs, warm weather, and a slower pace of life compared to the West. But once you add kids into the mix, the numbers really matter. Housing, groceries, schooling, and healthcare can look very different depending on where you settle.
So how do three of the region’s most popular expat cities, Bangkok (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), & Manila (Philippines), stack up when it comes to family life and costs? Let’s dive in.
Housing and Space for Families
Bangkok: Family-sized apartments (2–3 bedrooms) in central areas like Sukhumvit or Sathorn average $1,200–$2,000/month. Suburbs offer gated communities and houses with more space, but add commuting.
Ho Chi Minh City: More affordable. A 2–3 bedroom apartment in District 2 or 7 rents for $800–$1,200/month, with villas available in family-friendly Thao Dien.
Manila: In Makati or BGC, 2–3 bedroom condos range from $900–$1,400/month. Houses in gated subdivisions are available but often at higher prices.
🏆 Winner: Ho Chi Minh City for spacious family housing at lower costs.
Food and Groceries
Bangkok: Street food is cheap, but families tend to shop at supermarkets. Expect $500–$700/month in grocery bills, higher with imports.
Ho Chi Minh City: Local markets are inexpensive, with fresh produce and meat at great value. Monthly groceries average $400–$600.
Manila: Groceries are the priciest of the three—$600–$800/month. Produce is affordable, but dairy and imported products quickly raise the bill.
🏆 Winner: Ho Chi Minh City for lowest grocery costs.
Schooling Costs for a 10-Year-Old (Year 5)
Education is one of the biggest considerations for expat families. Here’s how British-style international schools compare:
Bangkok: Year 5 tuition at the British School Bangkok is about ฿401,370/year, which converts to ~USD 11,500.
Ho Chi Minh City: Year 5 at the British International School HCMC is ₫724,100,000/year, around ~USD 30,200.
Manila: At the British School Manila, Year 5 tuition is estimated at ~USD 12,000–15,000/year, based on published upper-primary fee structures.
🏆 Winner: Bangkok for affordable British-style international schooling, though Manila is close. Ho Chi Minh City is significantly more expensive for families with school-age children.
Childcare Options
Bangkok: Full-time nannies cost $400–$600/month, making childcare affordable.
Ho Chi Minh City: Nannies are even cheaper at $250–$400/month.
Manila: Comparable to Vietnam, with live-in help available for $300–$500/month.
🏆 Winner: Ho Chi Minh City for the most affordable childcare.
Healthcare for Families
Bangkok: World-class hospitals like Bumrungrad and Samitivej offer excellent international-standard care. Consultations cost $40–$60.
Ho Chi Minh City: Private clinics are affordable, but families often travel to Bangkok for specialist care.
Manila: Private hospitals are improving but quality varies. Costs are lower than Bangkok, though insurance is essential.
🏆 Winner: Bangkok for reliable, high-quality care.
Family Activities and Lifestyle
Bangkok: Offers the widest range, malls, parks, cinemas, gyms, kid-friendly cafés, weekend trips to beaches, and theme parks.
Ho Chi Minh City: Affordable activities like play centers, pools, and cafés are abundant. Green space is limited but beaches like Vung Tau are close by.
Manila: Shopping malls are the family hub, with cinemas, arcades, and play zones. Traffic makes weekend outings harder, though nearby destinations like Tagaytay are popular.
🏆 Winner: Bangkok for variety, Ho Chi Minh City for budget-friendly fun.
Estimated Annual Costs for a Family of Four (Excluding School Fees)
Category | Ho Chi Minh City | Manila | Bangkok |
Rent (2–3 BR) | $800–1,200 | $900–1,400 | $1,200–2,000 |
Groceries | $400–600 | $600–800 | $500–700 |
Childcare (nanny) | $250–400 | $300–500 | $400–600 |
Healthcare | $50–100/month basic | $80–150/month | $100–200/month |
Annual Living Costs (excl. school fees) | ~$24,000–33,000 | ~$30,000–42,000 | ~$36,000–50,000 |
Final Verdict for Families
Ho Chi Minh City: The cheapest overall for housing, groceries, and childcare—but schooling is a major outlier, costing nearly triple that of Bangkok or Manila.
Manila: Middle ground—slightly more expensive for groceries and transport, but with schooling in the $12k–15k/year range, it’s still affordable for expat families who value an English-speaking environment.
Bangkok: The most expensive city overall for housing and daily costs, but offers world-class healthcare, international-standard schools at reasonable rates (~$11.5k/year), and the broadest range of family amenities.
👉 Summary:
Budget-conscious families → Ho Chi Minh City, if schooling is not a priority.
English-speaking families seeking ease of adjustment → Manila.
Families wanting comfort, healthcare, and balance → Bangkok.
✅ Thinking of relocating to Southeast Asia? Let’s talk about how to make it work for your family’s finances. Book your free consultation today.