Wellington 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
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Hanoi
Vietnam
COL+Rent
18
Rent Index
9.1
Groceries
32.4
Restaurant
15.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Wellington | Hanoi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,478 | $336 | +$1,142 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,179 | $207 | +$972 |
| Groceries | $404 | $179 | +$225 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $3 | +$15 |
| Transit Pass | $111 | $6 | +$105 |
| Utilities | $141 | $48 | +$93 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Wellington | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,786/mo | $398/mo |
| Typical | $2,404/mo | $614/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,977/mo | $745/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Wellington | ≈ in Hanoi | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $530/mo | -$970 |
| $2,000/mo | $707/mo | -$1,293 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,061/mo | -$1,939 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Wellington vs Hanoi for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Hanoi is approximately 65% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Wellington's COL+Rent Index of 50.9 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 Wellington costs $1,478/month versus $336/month in Hanoi — 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 Wellington ($404/mo) vs Hanoi ($179/mo) reflect Hanoi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 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.