Stockholm vs Hanoi
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Hanoi is ~65% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Hanoi
Vietnam
COL+Rent
18
Rent Index
9.1
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
15.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Stockholm | Hanoi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,449 | $336 | +$1,113 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,139 | $207 | +$932 |
| Groceries | $339 | $179 | +$160 |
| Restaurant Meal | $17 | $3 | +$14 |
| Transit Pass | $93 | $6 | +$87 |
| Utilities | $103 | $48 | +$55 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Stockholm | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,640/mo | $398/mo |
| Typical | $2,239/mo | $614/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,779/mo | $745/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Stockholm | ≈ in Hanoi | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $529/mo | -$971 |
| $2,000/mo | $706/mo | -$1,294 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,059/mo | -$1,941 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Stockholm vs Hanoi for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 65% more affordable than Stockholm when combining rent and daily living costs. Stockholm's COL+Rent Index of 51 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 Stockholm costs $1,449/month versus $336/month in Hanoi — giving Hanoi a $1,113/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $13,356 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Stockholm ($339/mo) vs Hanoi ($179/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $17 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.