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Beijing vs Hanoi cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐จ๐ณ Beijing
๐ป๐ณ Hanoi
At a glance
- Where Hanoi is clearly cheaper: Entry ticket (69%โ), Beer (66%โ), Massage (60%โ)
- Where Beijing is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (63%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Beijing is easier to travel (2.6 vs 3.2). Biggest gap: getting around โ Beijing 1 vs Hanoi 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Beijing | Hanoi | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ยฅ 30$4.23 | โซ 70,000$2.66 | Hanoi โ37% |
| Street food1 item | ยฅ 12$1.69 | โซ 50,000$1.9 | Beijing โ11% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ยฅ 100$14.1 | โซ 280,000$10.6 | Hanoi โ24% |
| Coffeeone cup | ยฅ 25$3.52 | โซ 45,000$1.71 | Hanoi โ51% |
| Beerone bottle | ยฅ 20$2.82 | โซ 25,000$0.95 | Hanoi โ66% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ยฅ 70$9.86 | โซ 120,000$4.56 | Hanoi โ54% |
| Bottled water | ยฅ 2.5$0.35 | โซ 8,000$0.3 | Hanoi โ14% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ยฅ 5$0.7 | โซ 12,000$0.46 | Hanoi โ35% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ยฅ 18$2.54 | โซ 75,000$2.85 | Beijing โ11% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ยฅ 14$1.97 | โซ 25,000$0.95 | Hanoi โ52% |
| Transitone ride | ยฅ 4$0.56 | โซ 8,000$0.3 | Hanoi โ46% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ยฅ 15$2.11 | โซ 150,000$5.7 | Beijing โ63% |
| Hotel night3-star | ยฅ 400$56.3 | โซ 800,000$30.4 | Hanoi โ46% |
| Studio rent (month) | ยฅ 5,500$775 | โซ 9,500,000$361 | Hanoi โ53% |
| Laundry | ยฅ 14$1.97 | โซ 30,000$1.14 | Hanoi โ42% |
| SIM card1 week data | ยฅ 100$14.1 | โซ 220,000$8.37 | Hanoi โ41% |
| Haircutcut | ยฅ 50$7.04 | โซ 80,000$3.04 | Hanoi โ57% |
| Massage1 hour | ยฅ 200$28.2 | โซ 300,000$11.4 | Hanoi โ60% |
| Half-day tourper person | ยฅ 250$35.2 | โซ 650,000$24.7 | Hanoi โ30% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ยฅ 60$8.45 | โซ 70,000$2.66 | Hanoi โ69% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Beijing or Hanoi?
Hanoi is 43% cheaper than Beijing. Daily budget $98.1 vs $61.4; a month $2,455 vs $1,277.
Which is easier to travel, Beijing or Hanoi?
Beijing is easier: Beijing 2.6/5 vs Hanoi 3.2/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Beijing and Hanoi?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Beijing is about $2,455 and Hanoi about $1,277 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.