Cost of Living Comparison Between Batam and HanoiCost of Living Comparison Between Batam and Hanoi
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $605 in Batam versus $803 in Hanoi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $996 in Batam versus $1,246 in Hanoi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,387 in Batam versus $1,688 in Hanoi.
🌍Living in Batam costs roughly 25% less than in Hanoi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Batam56% lower, Hanoi42% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Hanoi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.93Rp 34.4K
$2.03₫52.8K
-4.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.23Rp 146.3K
$20.81₫542.5K
-60.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.94Rp 70.1K
$4.40₫114.8K
-10.45%
Cappuccino
$2.11Rp 37.4K
$1.89₫49.1K
11.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60Rp 10.6K
$0.45₫11.9K
33.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31Rp 5,538
$0.28₫7,223
10.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.48Rp 44.0K
$1.13₫29.5K
119.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.56Rp 63.3K
$1.90₫49.5K
87.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Hanoi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19Rp 21.1K
$1.47₫38.2K
-19.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.08Rp 19.2K
$1.01₫26.4K
6.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.80Rp 14.2K
$0.80₫20.9K
-
Eggs
$1.23Rp 21.9K
$1.44₫37.6K
-14.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.60Rp 135.1K
$10.48₫273.3K
-27.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.46Rp 43.6K
$3.76₫97.9K
-34.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.50Rp 80.0K
$9.79₫255.3K
-54.03%
Apples(1kg)
$2.21Rp 39.2K
$3.07₫80.0K
-28.01%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01Rp 35.8K
$1.07₫27.8K
87.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.10Rp 37.2K
$1.33₫34.6K
57.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.03Rp 18.3K
$1.09₫28.4K
-5.50%
Potato(1kg)
$0.97Rp 17.3K
$0.98₫25.6K
-1.02%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01Rp 35.7K
$1.11₫29.0K
81.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.34Rp 23.9K
$0.59₫15.5K
127.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43Rp 7,585
$0.55₫14.4K
-21.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.89Rp 51.4K
$1.37₫35.6K
110.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.22Rp 252.6K
$12.27₫319.9K
15.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81Rp 32.2K
$0.95₫24.7K
90.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41Rp 42.8K
$1.67₫43.5K
44.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Hanoi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.41Rp 7,328
$0.37₫9,641
10.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.26₫241.3K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.15Rp 20.4K
$0.79₫20.7K
45.57%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61Rp 10.8K
$0.57₫14.8K
7.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.63Rp 64.6K
$2.27₫59.1K
59.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73Rp 12.9K
$0.83₫21.6K
-12.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4KRp 504.0M
$30.1K₫785.7M
-5.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KRp 449.6M
$30.3K₫789.3M
-16.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Hanoi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.6Rp 1.3M
$83.9₫2.2M
-15.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.22Rp 74.9K
$5.12₫133.4K
-17.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.48Rp 417.2K
$8.70₫226.8K
169.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Hanoi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.14Rp 482.2K
$24.54₫639.7K
10.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.52Rp 98.1K
$9.30₫242.4K
-40.65%
Cinema Ticket
$2.61Rp 46.4K
$4.29₫111.9K
-39.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Hanoi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$85.7Rp 1.5M
$790₫20.6M
-89.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,343Rp 59.4M
$27.9K₫728.4M
-88.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Hanoi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.61Rp 561.5K
$50.4₫1.3M
-37.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.64Rp 331.2K
$26.16₫681.9K
-28.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.6Rp 1.1M
$83.9₫2.2M
-23.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$24.88Rp 441.9K
$82.2₫2.1M
-69.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Hanoi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$277Rp 4.9M
$410₫10.7M
-32.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$152Rp 2.7M
$286₫7.5M
-46.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826Rp 14.7M
$820₫21.4M
0.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$506Rp 9.0M
$531₫13.8M
-4.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$557Rp 9.9M
$4,714₫122.9M
-88.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,785₫72.6M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Hanoi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$341Rp 6.1M
$504₫13.1M
-32.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.17
8.45
55.86%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Batam: August 30, 2026
Last update for Hanoi: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $277 in Batam and $410 in Hanoi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hanoi pays 48% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $8.00 in Batam vs $21.00 in Hanoi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $176 vs $193 per month, with Batam cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Batam vs Hanoi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hanoi cheaper than Batam?
Batam is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 33% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Batam or Hanoi?
On paper, salaries run 48% lower in Hanoi. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Batam and Hanoi?
Rent for a central apartment: $277 in Batam versus $410 in Hanoi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Batam and in Hanoi?
Supermarket bills run roughly 10% higher in Hanoi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Batam and in Hanoi?
All in, you'll spend $605 per month in Batam versus $803 in Hanoi – a 33% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Batam or Hanoi?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Batam gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Batam or Hanoi more family-friendly?
For families, Batam is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Hanoi, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Batam or Hanoi?
Safety-wise, Batam and Hanoi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Batam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 33% less than in Hanoi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.