Hanoi vs Wellington
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~65% 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
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Hanoi | Wellington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $336 | $1,478 | $1,142 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $207 | $1,179 | $972 |
| Groceries | $179 | $404 | $225 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $18 | $15 |
| Transit Pass | $6 | $111 | $105 |
| Utilities | $48 | $141 | $93 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Hanoi | Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $398/mo | $1,786/mo |
| Typical | $614/mo | $2,404/mo |
| Comfortable | $745/mo | $2,977/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Hanoi | ≈ in Wellington | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $4,242/mo | +$2,742 |
| $2,000/mo | $5,656/mo | +$3,656 |
| $3,000/mo | $8,483/mo | +$5,483 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Hanoi vs Wellington for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 65% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Hanoi's COL+Rent Index of 18 vs Wellington's 50.9 (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 $1,478/month in Wellington — giving Hanoi a $1,142/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,704 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Hanoi ($179/mo) vs Wellington ($404/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $18 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.