London vs Hanoi
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~75% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Hanoi
Vietnam
COL+Rent
18
Rent Index
9.1
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
15.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Hanoi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $336 | +$2,167 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $207 | +$1,753 |
| Groceries | $422 | $179 | +$243 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $3 | +$25 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $6 | +$107 |
| Utilities | $258 | $48 | +$210 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $398/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $614/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $745/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Hanoi | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $370/mo | -$1,130 |
| $2,000/mo | $494/mo | -$1,506 |
| $3,000/mo | $741/mo | -$2,259 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Hanoi for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 75% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Hanoi's 18 (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 London costs $2,503/month versus $336/month in Hanoi — 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 London ($422/mo) vs Hanoi ($179/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $3 show Hanoi offers cheaper dining. 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.