Binh Duong, a province next door to HCMC Ho, topped Vietnam in average monthly per capita income last year at VND8.9 million (US$344).
Hanoi followed with VND7.55 million, and Dong Nai, another province near HCMC, was third with VND7.15 million, according to a recent report by the Ministry of Finance.
HCMC ranked fourth at VND7.1 million, followed by Hai Phong City at VND7 million.
The southeastern region led with an average income of VND7.1 million, while the northern midlands and mountainous region ranked bottom at VND3.8 million.
Forty localities posted incomes lower than the national average, with Dien Bien in the northern area at the bottom at VND2.38 million.
The average spending per person went up 6.5% to nearly VND3 million per month.
An earlier cost of living report found that Hanoi led in consumer prices last year.
The capital was used as a benchmark to evaluate the expenses in other localities, with Quang Ninh Province coming second with a cost of living index of 99.94%.
HCMC seemed more affordable compared to Hanoi with lower prices for items like clothing, footwear, food and dining, entertainment, tourism, and transportation.
But some categories were more expensive, notably education, post and telecommunications, beverages, tobacco, housing and utilities, and healthcare.
Hai Phong ranked fourth (98.43%), and Da Nang fifth (98.21%).
