Cost of Living Comparison Between Hanoi and Hai Phong Cost of Living Comparison Between Hanoi and Hai Phong

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $759 in Hanoi versus $668 in Hai Phong.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,237 in Hanoi versus $1,273 in Hai Phong.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,715 in Hanoi versus $1,879 in Hai Phong.

Living in Hanoi is roughly 14% more expensive than Hai Phong, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Hanoi 43% lower, Hai Phong 50% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hanoi
Hai Phong
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.97 ₫51.8K
$1.57 ₫41.3K
25.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.89 ₫706.5K
$19.77 ₫519.6K
36.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.56 ₫119.7K
$4.33 ₫113.9K
5.31%
Cappuccino
$1.80 ₫47.2K
$1.78 ₫46.8K
1.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₫12.7K
$0.48 ₫12.7K
2.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 ₫7,104
$0.25 ₫6,510
8.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.94 ₫24.7K
$0.74 ₫19.5K
27.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 ₫51.4K
$1.55 ₫40.7K
26.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hanoi
Hai Phong
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.37 ₫36.0K
$1.41 ₫37.1K
-2.84%
White Bread (500g)
$0.99 ₫25.9K
$0.58 ₫15.2K
70.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.91 ₫24.0K
$0.92 ₫24.2K
-1.09%
Eggs
$1.55 ₫40.8K
$1.52 ₫39.8K
1.97%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.19 ₫241.5K
$9.14 ₫240.3K
0.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.86 ₫101.5K
$3.77 ₫99.0K
2.39%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.81 ₫257.7K
$8.40 ₫220.8K
16.79%
Apples (1kg)
$3.29 ₫86.5K
$3.39 ₫89.0K
-2.95%
Banana (1kg)
$1.06 ₫27.8K
$1.01 ₫26.7K
4.95%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.56 ₫41.1K
$1.64 ₫43.2K
-4.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.12 ₫29.4K
$1.09 ₫28.6K
2.75%
Potato (1kg)
$1.02 ₫26.9K
$1.04 ₫27.2K
-1.92%
Onion (1kg)
$1.01 ₫26.4K
$1.01 ₫26.6K
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.56 ₫14.8K
$0.56 ₫14.7K
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 ₫14.2K
$0.52 ₫13.7K
3.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.36 ₫35.7K
$1.22 ₫32.1K
11.48%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.09 ₫343.8K
$12.40 ₫325.8K
5.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98 ₫25.6K
$0.78 ₫20.6K
25.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₫46.0K
$1.83 ₫48.0K
-4.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Hanoi
Hai Phong
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.36 ₫9,517
$0.42 ₫10.9K
-14.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.73 ₫203.0K
$5.92 ₫155.6K
30.57%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 ₫21.2K
$0.73 ₫19.2K
10.96%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.58 ₫15.1K
$0.57 ₫15.0K
1.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.60 ₫41.9K
$1.66 ₫43.6K
-3.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 ₫22.5K
$0.86 ₫22.7K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.8K ₫994.4M
$38.5K ₫1.0B
-1.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8K ₫834.9M
$31.5K ₫828.9M
0.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hanoi
Hai Phong
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.9 ₫2.1M
$37.58 ₫987.5K
110.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.13 ₫134.8K
$5.26 ₫138.1K
-2.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.93 ₫234.5K
$8.71 ₫229.0K
2.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hanoi
Hai Phong
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.05 ₫737.0K
$22.87 ₫600.9K
22.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.35 ₫298.1K
$7.60 ₫199.7K
49.34%
Cinema Ticket
$3.77 ₫99.0K
$3.73 ₫98.0K
1.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hanoi
Hai Phong
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$264 ₫6.9M
$268 ₫7.0M
-1.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.5K ₫303.3M
$11.8K ₫311.2M
-2.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hanoi
Hai Phong
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.92 ₫1.2M
$44.91 ₫1.2M
0.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.90 ₫601.6K
$22.95 ₫603.0K
-0.22%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.2 ₫2.3M
$87.2 ₫2.3M
2.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.7 ₫1.9M
$73.5 ₫1.9M
-2.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hanoi
Hai Phong
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$331 ₫8.7M
$402 ₫10.6M
-17.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$249 ₫6.6M
$243 ₫6.4M
2.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$773 ₫20.3M
$685 ₫18.0M
12.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$594 ₫15.6M
$864 ₫22.7M
-31.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,919 ₫129.3M
$3,831 ₫100.7M
28.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,835 ₫74.5M
$1,513 ₫39.8M
87.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hanoi
Hai Phong
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$502 ₫13.2M
$493 ₫12.9M
1.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.1
5.99
51.92%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Hanoi: May 31, 2026

Last update for Hai Phong: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $331 in Hanoi and $402 in Hai Phong. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Hanoi pays 2% 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: $27.00 in Hanoi vs $20.00 in Hai Phong for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $182 per month, with Hai Phong 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
Hanoi vs Hai Phong: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Hanoi and Hai Phong?
Hanoi and Hai Phong differ by about 14% in total monthly costs ($759 vs $668 including rent). Hai Phong is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Hanoi or Hai Phong?
Hanoi pays 2% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Hanoi and Hai Phong?
Rent for a central apartment: $331 in Hanoi versus $402 in Hai Phong. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Hanoi or Hai Phong?
All in, you'll spend $759 per month in Hanoi versus $668 in Hai Phong – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Hanoi and Hai Phong?
A monthly transit pass in Hai Phong runs roughly 31% less than in Hanoi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Hanoi vs Hai Phong?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Hai Phong gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Hanoi and Hai Phong?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Hanoi or Hai Phong safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Hanoi and Hai Phong are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Hanoi or Hai Phong?
Expats usually find Hai Phong gentler on the wallet – expenses run 14% less than in Hanoi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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