Edinburgh vs Hanoi
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~55% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
20.9
Groceries
49.3
Restaurant
52.2
Hanoi
Vietnam
COL+Rent
18
Rent Index
9.1
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
15.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Edinburgh | Hanoi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $930 | $336 | +$594 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $728 | $207 | +$521 |
| Groceries | $282 | $179 | +$103 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $3 | +$15 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $6 | +$69 |
| Utilities | $172 | $48 | +$124 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Edinburgh | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,244/mo | $398/mo |
| Typical | $1,729/mo | $614/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,195/mo | $745/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Edinburgh | ≈ in Hanoi | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $670/mo | -$830 |
| $2,000/mo | $893/mo | -$1,107 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,340/mo | -$1,660 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Edinburgh vs Hanoi for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 55% more affordable than Edinburgh when combining rent and daily living costs. Edinburgh's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Hanoi's 18 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Edinburgh costs $930/month versus $336/month in Hanoi — giving Hanoi a $594/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,128 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Edinburgh ($282/mo) vs Hanoi ($179/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 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.