Hanoi vs Gothenburg
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~51% 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
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Hanoi | Gothenburg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $336 | $819 | $483 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $207 | $644 | $437 |
| Groceries | $179 | $271 | $92 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $14 | $11 |
| Transit Pass | $6 | $75 | $69 |
| Utilities | $48 | $82 | $34 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Hanoi | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $398/mo | $1,047/mo |
| Typical | $614/mo | $1,457/mo |
| Comfortable | $745/mo | $1,844/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Hanoi | ≈ in Gothenburg | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,083/mo | +$1,583 |
| $2,000/mo | $4,111/mo | +$2,111 |
| $3,000/mo | $6,167/mo | +$3,167 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Hanoi vs Gothenburg for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 51% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Hanoi's COL+Rent Index of 18 vs Gothenburg's 37 (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 $819/month in Gothenburg — 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 Hanoi ($179/mo) vs Gothenburg ($271/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $14 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.