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Hanoi vs Koh Samui cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇻🇳 Hanoi
🇹🇭 Koh SamuiHanoi is 70% cheaper than Koh Samui
Living on $1,422 a month in Hanoi feels like about $2,165 in Koh Samui — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$57.8 vs $109
Per month
$1,422 vs $2,165
Local meal
₫ 50,000 vs ฿ 120
$1.9 vs $3.64
Taxi 5 km
₫ 85,000 vs ฿ 160
$3.23 vs $4.85
At a glance
FoodHanoi 47% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHanoi 64% cheaper
TransportHanoi 61% cheaper
StayHanoi 37% cheaper
FunHanoi 27% cheaper
- Where Hanoi is clearly cheaper: Transit (78%↓), Beer (69%↓), Cocktail & wine (68%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Hanoi | Koh Samui | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫ 50,000$1.9 | ฿ 120$3.64 | Hanoi −48% |
| Street food1 item | ₫ 23,000$0.87 | ฿ 54$1.64 | Hanoi −47% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₫ 230,000$8.75 | ฿ 530$16.1 | Hanoi −46% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | ฿ 99$3 | Hanoi −49% |
| Beerone bottle | ₫ 30,000$1.14 | ฿ 120$3.64 | Hanoi −69% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₫ 78,000$2.97 | ฿ 310$9.39 | Hanoi −68% |
| Bottled water | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | ฿ 14$0.42 | Hanoi −28% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | ฿ 35$1.06 | Hanoi −28% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₫ 85,000$3.23 | ฿ 160$4.85 | Hanoi −33% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫ 39,000$1.48 | ฿ 76$2.3 | Hanoi −36% |
| Transitone ride | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | ฿ 40$1.21 | Hanoi −78% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ฿ 300$9.09 | Hanoi −33% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₫ 800,000$30.4 | ฿ 2,000$60.6 | Hanoi −50% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₫ 12,000,000$456 | ฿ 18,000$545 | Hanoi −16% |
| Laundry | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | ฿ 50$1.52 | Hanoi −20% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ฿ 260$7.88 | Hanoi −23% |
| Haircutcut | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | ฿ 130$3.94 | Hanoi −12% |
| Massage1 hour | ₫ 260,000$9.89 | ฿ 380$11.5 | Hanoi −14% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫ 660,000$25.1 | ฿ 1,100$33.3 | Hanoi −25% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | ฿ 260$7.88 | Hanoi −37% |
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, Hanoi or Koh Samui?
Hanoi is 70% cheaper than Koh Samui. Daily budget $57.8 vs $109; a month $1,422 vs $2,165.
How do monthly costs compare between Hanoi and Koh Samui?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Hanoi is about $1,422 and Koh Samui about $2,165 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.