Malmö vs Hanoi
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~49% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Hanoi
Vietnam
COL+Rent
18
Rent Index
9.1
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
15.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Malmö | Hanoi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $756 | $336 | +$420 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $594 | $207 | +$387 |
| Groceries | $260 | $179 | +$81 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13 | $3 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $71 | $6 | +$65 |
| Utilities | $79 | $48 | +$31 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Malmö | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $978/mo | $398/mo |
| Typical | $1,361/mo | $614/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,721/mo | $745/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Malmö | ≈ in Hanoi | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $769/mo | -$731 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,026/mo | -$974 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,538/mo | -$1,462 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Malmö vs Hanoi for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 49% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Malmö's COL+Rent Index of 35.1 vs Hanoi's 18 (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 Malmö costs $756/month versus $336/month in Hanoi — 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 Malmö ($260/mo) vs Hanoi ($179/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $13 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.