Seoul vs Hanoi
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~64% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Seoul
South Korea
COL+Rent
49.5
Rent Index
23.8
Groceries
94.6
Restaurant
46.5
Hanoi
Vietnam
COL+Rent
18
Rent Index
9.1
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
15.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seoul | Hanoi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,014 | $336 | +$678 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $733 | $207 | +$526 |
| Groceries | $586 | $179 | +$407 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $3 | +$9 |
| Transit Pass | $55 | $6 | +$49 |
| Utilities | $156 | $48 | +$108 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seoul | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,402/mo | $398/mo |
| Typical | $1,991/mo | $614/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,440/mo | $745/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seoul | ≈ in Hanoi | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $545/mo | -$955 |
| $2,000/mo | $727/mo | -$1,273 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,091/mo | -$1,909 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seoul vs Hanoi for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 64% more affordable than Seoul when combining rent and daily living costs. Seoul's COL+Rent Index of 49.5 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 Seoul costs $1,014/month versus $336/month in Hanoi — 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 Seoul ($586/mo) vs Hanoi ($179/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $12 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.