Explore Cities/Compare Cities/Makassar vs Vang Vieng

Makassar vs Vang Vieng

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Makassar 37% cheaper N/A / N/A

Makassar

Arief Hidayat/Unsplash

Vang Vieng

Yosi Bitran/Unsplash

Nomad Cost

$839

Makassar

$1,325

Vang Vieng

Internet

Mbps

Safety

N/A

Makassar

N/A

Vang Vieng

Air Quality

5/5

Makassar

5/5

Vang Vieng

Healthcare

N/A

Makassar

N/A

Vang Vieng

Population

1.3m

Makassar

25.0k

Vang Vieng

Makassar (Indonesia) and Vang Vieng (Laos) are both in Asia, offering different takes on the nomad lifestyle. Here is how they compare across the metrics that matter most.

Cost of Living

Makassar is significantly cheaper for digital nomads at $839/mo — 37% less than Vang Vieng's $1325/mo. Over 12 months, the difference adds up to $5832.

For families, Makassar costs $1800.101453918562/mo compared to Vang Vieng's $2047.027299421775/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

Vang Vieng has a slight lead on internet at 38 Mbps (#0 globally) compared to Makassar's 32 Mbps (#0). Both support standard remote work.

Quality of Life

Both Makassar and Vang Vieng share the same safety rating — travelers can feel equally comfortable in either city.

Healthcare quality is rated similarly in both Makassar and Vang Vieng.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Makassar is August (around 35 degrees, 0mm rain, score 374), while Vang Vieng peaks in February (34 degrees, 0mm rain, score 397). Timing your stay around these months can make a big difference in your experience.

Cost of Living

MakassarVang Vieng

Nomad$839/mo$1,325/mo

Expat$683/mo$1,066/mo

Local$514/mo$585/mo

Family$1,800/mo$2,047/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

MakassarVang Vieng

City Speed

32 Mbps

38 Mbps

Country Speed32 Mbps38 Mbps

Environment & Health

MakassarVang Vieng

Air Quality Score5/55/5

PollutionN/AN/A

ClimateN/AN/A

Humidity8566

Quality of Life

MakassarVang Vieng

SafetyN/AN/A

HealthcareN/AN/A

Monthly Weather Comparison

Makassar

Vang Vieng

Jan

36°

11mm87

31°

0mm383

Feb

37°

4mm210

34°

0mm397

Mar

37°

6mm179

37°

0mm363

Apr

38°

3mm282

42°

0mm347

May

38°

1mm346

40°

7mm275

Jun

36°

1mm348

38°

15mm149

Jul

35°

0mm372

36°

19mm141

Aug

35°

0mm374

37°

16mm156

Sep

37°

0mm354

37°

11mm187

Oct

37°

1mm330

37°

1mm336

Nov

37°

6mm271

34°

0mm395

Dec

33°

16mm41

30°

0mm385

Who Should Choose Makassar?

Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $839
Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
Family-friendly at $1800.101453918562/mo for families
Peak season in August — 35 degrees, score 374

Who Should Choose Vang Vieng?

Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $1325
Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
Family-friendly at $2047.027299421775/mo for families
Smaller city feel with 25.0k residents
Peak season in February — 34 degrees, score 397

Overall Verdict

Overall, Makassar edges ahead for most digital nomads — at $839/mo it runs 37% cheaper than Vang Vieng's $1325/mo, with 32 Mbps internet for reliable remote work.

Granular Price Comparison

Makassar Vang Vieng

ItemMakassarVang ViengDiff

🍽️Restaurants8 items

Meal, inexpensive restaurant$1.3—

—

Meal for 2, mid-range (3-course)$9.72—

—

McMeal or equivalent combo$3.24—

—

Cappuccino (regular)$1.78—

—

Domestic beer (0.5L draught)$2.07—

—

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$2.92—

—

Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)$0.5—

—

Water (0.33L)$0.26—

—

🛒Markets19 items

Milk (1L)$1.24—

—

White bread (500g)$1—

—

White rice (1kg)$0.82—

—

Eggs (12)$1.47—

—

Chicken fillets (1kg)$3.65—

—

Beef round (1kg)$7.45—

—

Local cheese (1kg)$5.94—

—

Apples (1kg)$2.51—

—

Bananas (1kg)$0.86—

—

Oranges (1kg)$2.28—

—

Tomatoes (1kg)$0.8—

—

Potatoes (1kg)$1.02—

—

Onions (1kg)$1.73—

—

Lettuce (1 head)$1.04—

—

Water (1.5L bottle)$0.45—

—

Wine, mid-range bottle$12.96—

—

Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)$2.27—

—

Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$3.52—

—

Cigarettes (pack of 20)$2.07—

—

🚌Transport8 items

One-way local transport ticket$0.32—

—

Monthly transport pass$9.72—

—

Taxi start (normal tariff)$0.58—

—

Taxi per 1km$0.45—

—

Taxi 1hr waiting$3.57—

—

Gasoline (1L)$0.81—

—

Volkswagen Golf (new)$24,955.34—

—

Toyota Corolla (new)$31,761.34—

—

⚡Utilities3 items

Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo$51.2—

—

Internet 60+ Mbps/mo$41.59—

—

Mobile prepaid per minute$0.18—

—

🏋️Sport & Leisure3 items

Fitness club, monthly$25.12—

—

Tennis court rent (1hr weekend)$9.18—

—

Cinema, 1 ticket$2.92—

—

👶Childcare2 items

Preschool, full-day private/mo$53.8—

—

International primary school/yr$4,861.43—

—

👗Clothing4 items

Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar)$45.36—

—

Summer dress (chain store)$22.69—

—

Nike running shoes (mid-range)$75.35—

—

Men's leather business shoes$47.97—

—

🏠Rent4 items

1-bedroom apartment, city centre$170.15—

—

1-bedroom apartment, outside centre$77.78—

—

3-bedroom apartment, city centre$421.32—

—

3-bedroom apartment, outside centre$162.05—

—

🏗️Buy2 items

Price per m², city centre$1,296.38—

—

Price per m², outside centre$421.32—

—

💰Finance2 items

Average monthly net salary$231.19—

—

Mortgage interest rate (20yr fixed)$10.67—

—

Lower is better for all cost items.

Data from Open-Meteo (weather) and global internet speed rankings. Updated monthly.

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