Gothenburg vs Hanoi
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~51% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Hanoi
Vietnam
COL+Rent
18
Rent Index
9.1
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
15.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Hanoi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $336 | +$483 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $207 | +$437 |
| Groceries | $271 | $179 | +$92 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $3 | +$11 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $6 | +$69 |
| Utilities | $82 | $48 | +$34 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $398/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $614/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $745/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Hanoi | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $730/mo | -$770 |
| $2,000/mo | $973/mo | -$1,027 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,459/mo | -$1,541 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Hanoi for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 51% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Hanoi's 18 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $336/month in Hanoi — giving Hanoi a $483/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,796 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Hanoi ($179/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 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.