| Detroit | Lào Cai | |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre | USD 988.89 | USD 382.61 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | USD 0.98 | USD 1.14 |
| Potato (1kg) | USD 2.12 | USD 0.78 |
| One-way ticket (local transport) | USD 2.00 | USD 0.24 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of centre | USD 1 005.56 | USD 494.98 |