Hanoi vs Busan
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~43% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Hanoi
Vietnam
COL+Rent
18
Rent Index
9.1
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
15.4
Busan
South Korea
COL+Rent
31.5
Rent Index
10.5
Groceries
65.9
Restaurant
28.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Hanoi | Busan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $336 | $445 | $109 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $207 | $322 | $115 |
| Groceries | $179 | $408 | $229 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $9 | $6 |
| Transit Pass | $6 | $38 | $32 |
| Utilities | $48 | $108 | $60 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Hanoi | Busan |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $398/mo | $790/mo |
| Typical | $614/mo | $1,134/mo |
| Comfortable | $745/mo | $1,417/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Hanoi | ≈ in Busan | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,625/mo | +$1,125 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,500/mo | +$1,500 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,250/mo | +$2,250 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Hanoi vs Busan for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 43% more affordable than Busan when combining rent and daily living costs. Hanoi's COL+Rent Index of 18 vs Busan's 31.5 (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 Hanoi costs $336/month versus $445/month in Busan — giving Hanoi a $109/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 Hanoi ($179/mo) vs Busan ($408/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $9 show Hanoi is the better value for dining out. 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.