Delhi vs Hanoi
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~13% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Delhi
India
COL+Rent
20.6
Rent Index
12.3
Groceries
26.2
Restaurant
20.4
Hanoi
Vietnam
COL+Rent
18
Rent Index
9.1
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
15.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Delhi | Hanoi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $350 | $336 | +$14 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $206 | $207 | $1 |
| Groceries | $106 | $179 | $73 |
| Restaurant Meal | $6 | $3 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $12 | $6 | +$6 |
| Utilities | $33 | $48 | $15 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Delhi | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $349/mo | $398/mo |
| Typical | $591/mo | $614/mo |
| Comfortable | $755/mo | $745/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Delhi | ≈ in Hanoi | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,311/mo | -$189 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,748/mo | -$252 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,621/mo | -$379 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Delhi vs Hanoi for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 13% more affordable than Delhi when combining rent and daily living costs. Delhi's COL+Rent Index of 20.6 vs Hanoi's 18 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Delhi costs $350/month versus $336/month in Hanoi — giving Hanoi a $14/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Delhi ($106/mo) vs Hanoi ($179/mo) reflect Delhi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $6 vs $3 show Hanoi offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Hanoi offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $614 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.