Hanoi vs London
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~75% 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
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Hanoi | London | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $336 | $2,503 | $2,167 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $207 | $1,960 | $1,753 |
| Groceries | $179 | $422 | $243 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $28 | $25 |
| Transit Pass | $6 | $113 | $107 |
| Utilities | $48 | $258 | $210 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Hanoi | London |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $398/mo | $2,738/mo |
| Typical | $614/mo | $3,716/mo |
| Comfortable | $745/mo | $4,596/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Hanoi | ≈ in London | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $6,075/mo | +$4,575 |
| $2,000/mo | $8,100/mo | +$6,100 |
| $3,000/mo | $12,150/mo | +$9,150 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Hanoi vs London for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 75% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. Hanoi's COL+Rent Index of 18 vs London's 72.9 (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 Hanoi costs $336/month versus $2,503/month in London — giving Hanoi a $2,167/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $26,004 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Hanoi ($179/mo) vs London ($422/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $28 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.