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Hanoi vs Seoul cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇻🇳 Hanoi
🇰🇷 SeoulHanoi is 144% cheaper than Seoul
Living on $1,422 a month in Hanoi feels like about $2,887 in Seoul — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$57.8 vs $165
Per month
$1,422 vs $2,887
Local meal
â‚« 50,000 vs â‚© 10,000
$1.9 vs $7.25
Taxi 5 km
â‚« 85,000 vs â‚© 9,000
$3.23 vs $6.52
At a glance
FoodHanoi 70% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHanoi 66% cheaper
TransportHanoi 74% cheaper
StayHanoi 59% cheaper
FunHanoi 71% cheaper
- Where Hanoi is clearly cheaper: Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (81%↓), Massage (81%↓), Haircut (81%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Hanoi | Seoul | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫ 50,000$1.9 | ₩ 10,000$7.25 | Hanoi −74% |
| Street food1 item | ₫ 23,000$0.87 | ₩ 4,500$3.26 | Hanoi −73% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₫ 230,000$8.75 | ₩ 30,000$21.7 | Hanoi −60% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | ₩ 5,000$3.62 | Hanoi −58% |
| Beerone bottle | ₫ 30,000$1.14 | ₩ 5,000$3.62 | Hanoi −69% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₫ 78,000$2.97 | ₩ 13,000$9.42 | Hanoi −69% |
| Bottled water | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | ₩ 1,000$0.72 | Hanoi −58% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | ₩ 2,500$1.81 | Hanoi −58% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₫ 85,000$3.23 | ₩ 9,000$6.52 | Hanoi −50% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫ 39,000$1.48 | ₩ 11,000$7.97 | Hanoi −81% |
| Transitone ride | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | ₩ 1,500$1.09 | Hanoi −76% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ₩ 36,000$26.1 | Hanoi −77% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₫ 800,000$30.4 | ₩ 130,000$94.2 | Hanoi −68% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₫ 12,000,000$456 | ₩ 1,100,000$797 | Hanoi −43% |
| Laundry | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | ₩ 5,700$4.13 | Hanoi −71% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ₩ 22,000$15.9 | Hanoi −62% |
| Haircutcut | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | ₩ 25,000$18.1 | Hanoi −81% |
| Massage1 hour | ₫ 260,000$9.89 | ₩ 72,000$52.2 | Hanoi −81% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫ 660,000$25.1 | ₩ 86,000$62.3 | Hanoi −60% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | ₩ 17,000$12.3 | Hanoi −60% |
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 Seoul?
Hanoi is 144% cheaper than Seoul. Daily budget $57.8 vs $165; a month $1,422 vs $2,887.
How do monthly costs compare between Hanoi and Seoul?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Hanoi is about $1,422 and Seoul about $2,887 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.