Hanoi vs Malmö
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~49% 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
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Hanoi | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $336 | $756 | $420 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $207 | $594 | $387 |
| Groceries | $179 | $260 | $81 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $13 | $10 |
| Transit Pass | $6 | $71 | $65 |
| Utilities | $48 | $79 | $31 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Hanoi | Malmö |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $398/mo | $978/mo |
| Typical | $614/mo | $1,361/mo |
| Comfortable | $745/mo | $1,721/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Hanoi | ≈ in Malmö | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,925/mo | +$1,425 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,900/mo | +$1,900 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,850/mo | +$2,850 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Hanoi vs Malmö for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 49% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Hanoi's COL+Rent Index of 18 vs Malmö's 35.1 (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 $756/month in Malmö — giving Hanoi a $420/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,040 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Hanoi ($179/mo) vs Malmö ($260/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $13 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.