Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs Hanoi
Chicago vs Hanoi cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Chicago
π»π³ HanoiHanoi is 81% cheaper than Chicago
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $1,422 in Hanoi β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $57.8
Per month
$6,989 vs $1,422
Local meal
$ 16 vs β« 50,000
$16 vs $1.9
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs β« 85,000
$18 vs $3.23
At a glance
FoodHanoi 85% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksHanoi 79% cheaper
TransportHanoi 86% cheaper
StayHanoi 81% cheaper
FunHanoi 80% cheaper
- Where Hanoi is clearly cheaper: Haircut (90%β), Massage (90%β), Transit (89%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Hanoi | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | β« 50,000$1.9 | Hanoi β88% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | β« 23,000$0.87 | Hanoi β88% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | β« 230,000$8.75 | Hanoi β79% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | β« 40,000$1.52 | Hanoi β70% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | β« 30,000$1.14 | Hanoi β84% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | β« 78,000$2.97 | Hanoi β84% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | β« 8,000$0.3 | Hanoi β85% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | β« 20,000$0.76 | Hanoi β85% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | β« 85,000$3.23 | Hanoi β82% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | β« 39,000$1.48 | Hanoi β87% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | β« 7,000$0.27 | Hanoi β89% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | β« 160,000$6.08 | Hanoi β89% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | β« 800,000$30.4 | Hanoi β83% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | β« 12,000,000$456 | Hanoi β78% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | β« 32,000$1.22 | Hanoi β70% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | β« 160,000$6.08 | Hanoi β75% |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | β« 91,000$3.46 | Hanoi β90% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | β« 260,000$9.89 | Hanoi β90% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | β« 660,000$25.1 | Hanoi β71% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | β« 130,000$4.94 | Hanoi β79% |
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, Chicago or Hanoi?
Hanoi is 81% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $333 vs $57.8; a month $6,989 vs $1,422.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Hanoi?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and Hanoi about $1,422 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.