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Hanoi vs Shanghai cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇻🇳 Hanoi
🇨🇳 ShanghaiHanoi is 152% cheaper than Shanghai
Living on $1,422 a month in Hanoi feels like about $3,566 in Shanghai — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$57.8 vs $147
Per month
$1,422 vs $3,566
Local meal
₫ 50,000 vs ¥ 36
$1.9 vs $5.07
Taxi 5 km
₫ 85,000 vs ¥ 28
$3.23 vs $3.94
At a glance
FoodHanoi 60% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHanoi 68% cheaper
TransportHanoi 41% cheaper
StayHanoi 64% cheaper
FunHanoi 60% cheaper
- Where Hanoi is clearly cheaper: Haircut (72%↓), Massage (72%↓), Cocktail & wine (71%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Hanoi | Shanghai | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫ 50,000$1.9 | ¥ 36$5.07 | Hanoi −63% |
| Street food1 item | ₫ 23,000$0.87 | ¥ 16$2.25 | Hanoi −61% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₫ 230,000$8.75 | ¥ 140$19.7 | Hanoi −56% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫ 40,000$1.52 | ¥ 28$3.94 | Hanoi −61% |
| Beerone bottle | ₫ 30,000$1.14 | ¥ 28$3.94 | Hanoi −71% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₫ 78,000$2.97 | ¥ 73$10.3 | Hanoi −71% |
| Bottled water | ₫ 8,000$0.3 | ¥ 4.5$0.63 | Hanoi −52% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | ¥ 11$1.55 | Hanoi −51% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₫ 85,000$3.23 | ¥ 28$3.94 | Hanoi −18% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫ 39,000$1.48 | ¥ 21$2.96 | Hanoi −50% |
| Transitone ride | ₫ 7,000$0.27 | ¥ 3.5$0.49 | Hanoi −46% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ¥ 85$12 | Hanoi −49% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₫ 800,000$30.4 | ¥ 640$90.1 | Hanoi −66% |
| Studio rent (month) | ₫ 12,000,000$456 | ¥ 8,500$1,197 | Hanoi −62% |
| Laundry | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | ¥ 14$1.97 | Hanoi −38% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | ¥ 71$10 | Hanoi −39% |
| Haircutcut | ₫ 91,000$3.46 | ¥ 88$12.4 | Hanoi −72% |
| Massage1 hour | ₫ 260,000$9.89 | ¥ 250$35.2 | Hanoi −72% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫ 660,000$25.1 | ¥ 280$39.4 | Hanoi −36% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | ¥ 85$12 | Hanoi −59% |
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 Shanghai?
Hanoi is 152% cheaper than Shanghai. Daily budget $57.8 vs $147; a month $1,422 vs $3,566.
How do monthly costs compare between Hanoi and Shanghai?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Hanoi is about $1,422 and Shanghai about $3,566 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.