🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $803 in Hanoi versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,246 in Hanoi versus $2,334 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,688 in Hanoi versus $3,273 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Hanoi costs roughly 43% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Hanoi is 42% below, Ubud, Bali is 2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.03₫52.8K
$3.37Rp 59.9K
-39.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.81₫542.5K
$38.59Rp 685.5K
-46.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.40₫114.8K
$5.52Rp 98.1K
-20.29%
Cappuccino
$1.89₫49.1K
$2.64Rp 47.0K
-28.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45₫11.9K
$1.67Rp 29.7K
-73.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28₫7,223
$0.77Rp 13.7K
-63.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.13₫29.5K
$2.63Rp 46.8K
-57.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.90₫49.5K
$4.28Rp 76.1K
-55.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.47₫38.2K
$1.55Rp 27.5K
-5.16%
White Bread(500g)
$1.01₫26.4K
$2.22Rp 39.5K
-54.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.80₫20.9K
$1.13Rp 20.0K
-29.20%
Eggs
$1.44₫37.6K
$2.09Rp 37.1K
-31.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.48₫273.3K
$17.39Rp 309.0K
-39.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.76₫97.9K
$3.87Rp 68.7K
-2.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.79₫255.3K
$12.55Rp 222.9K
-21.99%
Apples(1kg)
$3.07₫80.0K
$3.62Rp 64.2K
-15.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07₫27.8K
$1.56Rp 27.7K
-31.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.33₫34.6K
$2.35Rp 41.8K
-43.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.09₫28.4K
$2.06Rp 36.5K
-47.09%
Potato(1kg)
$0.98₫25.6K
$1.90Rp 33.7K
-48.42%
Onion(1kg)
$1.11₫29.0K
$2.34Rp 41.5K
-52.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.59₫15.5K
$1.03Rp 18.3K
-42.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55₫14.4K
$0.55Rp 9,854
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.37₫35.6K
$2.25Rp 40.0K
-39.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.27₫319.9K
$23.81Rp 422.9K
-48.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.95₫24.7K
$2.31Rp 41.1K
-58.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67₫43.5K
$2.80Rp 49.8K
-40.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37₫9,641
$0.27Rp 4,839
37.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.26₫241.3K
$8.66Rp 153.9K
6.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.79₫20.7K
$0.48Rp 8,554
64.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.57₫14.8K
$0.45Rp 7,924
26.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.27₫59.1K
$5.72Rp 101.6K
-60.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83₫21.6K
$0.76Rp 13.5K
9.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1K₫785.7M
$24.5KRp 434.9M
23.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.3K₫789.3M
$32.1KRp 570.6M
-5.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.9₫2.2M
$83.6Rp 1.5M
0.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.12₫133.4K
$6.46Rp 114.7K
-20.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.70₫226.8K
$18.99Rp 337.4K
-54.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.54₫639.7K
$56.0Rp 994.4K
-56.16%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.30₫242.4K
$18.62Rp 330.7K
-50.05%
Cinema Ticket
$4.29₫111.9K
$4.28Rp 76.1K
0.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$790₫20.6M
$487Rp 8.6M
62.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$27.9K₫728.4M
$5,856Rp 104.0M
377.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.4₫1.3M
$45.56Rp 809.3K
10.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.16₫681.9K
$36.38Rp 646.3K
-28.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.9₫2.2M
$82.0Rp 1.5M
2.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.2₫2.1M
$80.4Rp 1.4M
2.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$410₫10.7M
$1,117Rp 19.8M
-63.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$286₫7.5M
$701Rp 12.5M
-59.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$820₫21.4M
$3,537Rp 62.8M
-76.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$531₫13.8M
$1,762Rp 31.3M
-69.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,714₫122.9M
$2,826Rp 50.2M
66.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,785₫72.6M
$2,292Rp 40.7M
21.50%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$504₫13.1M
$170Rp 3.0M
196.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.45
13.78
-38.68%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hanoi: August 30, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $410 in Hanoi and $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Hanoi pays 197% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $21.00 in Hanoi vs $39.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $293 per month, with Hanoi 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 Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Hanoi and in Ubud, Bali?
Hanoi and Ubud, Bali differ by about 74% in total monthly costs ($803 vs $1,396 including rent). Hanoi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Hanoi or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 197% higher in Hanoi, 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 in Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $410 in Hanoi versus $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Hanoi and in Ubud, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Hanoi runs roughly 7% less than in Ubud, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Hanoi and Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $790 in Hanoi versus $487 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $803 in Hanoi versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Hanoi but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Hanoi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Hanoi and Ubud, Bali?
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 Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Hanoi and Ubud, Bali 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 Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Hanoi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 74% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.