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Compare cities βΊ Hanoi vs Washington, D.C.
Hanoi vs Washington, D.C. cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
π»π³ Hanoi
πΊπΈ Washington, D.C.Hanoi is 526% cheaper than Washington, D.C.
Living on $1,422 a month in Hanoi feels like about $8,052 in Washington, D.C. β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$57.8 vs $396
Per month
$1,422 vs $8,052
Local meal
β« 50,000 vs $ 17
$1.9 vs $17
Taxi 5 km
β« 85,000 vs $ 18
$3.23 vs $18
At a glance
FoodHanoi 87% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksHanoi 83% cheaper
TransportHanoi 86% cheaper
StayHanoi 85% cheaper
FunHanoi 84% cheaper
- Where Hanoi is clearly cheaper: Haircut (90%β), Massage (90%β), Scooter rental (90%β)
Item by item
| Item | Hanoi | Washington, D.C. | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | β« 50,000$1.9 | $ 17$17 | Hanoi β89% |
| Street food1 item | β« 23,000$0.87 | $ 7.7$7.7 | Hanoi β89% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | β« 230,000$8.75 | $ 48$48 | Hanoi β82% |
| Coffeeone cup | β« 40,000$1.52 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Hanoi β72% |
| Beerone bottle | β« 30,000$1.14 | $ 8$8 | Hanoi β86% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | β« 78,000$2.97 | $ 21$21 | Hanoi β86% |
| Bottled water | β« 8,000$0.3 | $ 2$2 | Hanoi β85% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | β« 20,000$0.76 | $ 5$5 | Hanoi β85% |
| Taxi5 km in town | β« 85,000$3.23 | $ 18$18 | Hanoi β82% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | β« 39,000$1.48 | $ 12$12 | Hanoi β88% |
| Transitone ride | β« 7,000$0.27 | $ 2$2 | Hanoi β87% |
| Scooter rentalper day | β« 160,000$6.08 | $ 60$60 | Hanoi β90% |
| Hotel night3-star | β« 800,000$30.4 | $ 230$230 | Hanoi β87% |
| Studio rent (month) | β« 12,000,000$456 | $ 2,500$2,500 | Hanoi β82% |
| Laundry | β« 32,000$1.22 | $ 4$4 | Hanoi β70% |
| SIM card1 week data | β« 160,000$6.08 | $ 25$25 | Hanoi β76% |
| Haircutcut | β« 91,000$3.46 | $ 35$35 | Hanoi β90% |
| Massage1 hour | β« 260,000$9.89 | $ 100$100 | Hanoi β90% |
| Half-day tourper person | β« 660,000$25.1 | $ 90$90 | Hanoi β72% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | β« 130,000$4.94 | $ 25$25 | Hanoi β80% |
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 Washington, D.C.?
Hanoi is 526% cheaper than Washington, D.C.. Daily budget $57.8 vs $396; a month $1,422 vs $8,052.
How do monthly costs compare between Hanoi and Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Hanoi is about $1,422 and Washington, D.C. about $8,052 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.