Hanoi vs Seoul
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~64% 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
Seoul
South Korea
COL+Rent
49.5
Rent Index
23.8
Groceries
94.6
Restaurant
46.5
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Hanoi | Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $336 | $1,014 | $678 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $207 | $733 | $526 |
| Groceries | $179 | $586 | $407 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $12 | $9 |
| Transit Pass | $6 | $55 | $49 |
| Utilities | $48 | $156 | $108 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Hanoi | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $398/mo | $1,402/mo |
| Typical | $614/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Comfortable | $745/mo | $2,440/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Hanoi | ≈ in Seoul | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $4,125/mo | +$2,625 |
| $2,000/mo | $5,500/mo | +$3,500 |
| $3,000/mo | $8,250/mo | +$5,250 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Hanoi vs Seoul for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 64% more affordable than Seoul when combining rent and daily living costs. Hanoi's COL+Rent Index of 18 vs Seoul's 49.5 (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 $1,014/month in Seoul — giving Hanoi a $678/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,136 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Hanoi ($179/mo) vs Seoul ($586/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $12 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.