Cost of Living Comparison Between Hanoi and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Hanoi and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $758 in Hanoi versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,241 in Hanoi versus $2,585 in Ubud, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,724 in Hanoi versus $3,763 in Ubud, Bali.

Living in Hanoi costs roughly 46% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Hanoi is 43% below, Ubud, Bali is 5% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.91 ₫50.1K
$3.45 Rp 62.0K
-44.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.24 ₫716.1K
$32.34 Rp 580.1K
-15.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.62 ₫121.4K
$4.84 Rp 86.9K
-4.55%
Cappuccino
$1.79 ₫47.2K
$2.75 Rp 49.3K
-34.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₫12.8K
$1.38 Rp 24.8K
-64.49%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 ₫7,105
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
-64.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.93 ₫24.4K
$2.99 Rp 53.7K
-68.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 ₫51.1K
$3.85 Rp 69.1K
-49.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.42 ₫37.4K
$1.74 Rp 31.1K
-18.39%
White Bread (500g)
$0.98 ₫25.9K
$2.46 Rp 44.1K
-60.16%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.91 ₫24.0K
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
-22.22%
Eggs
$1.49 ₫39.1K
$2.43 Rp 43.6K
-38.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.94 ₫235.2K
$14.50 Rp 260.2K
-38.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.78 ₫99.4K
$4.35 Rp 78.0K
-13.10%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.49 ₫249.4K
$11.98 Rp 214.9K
-20.78%
Apples (1kg)
$3.26 ₫85.7K
$3.72 Rp 66.7K
-12.37%
Banana (1kg)
$1.06 ₫27.9K
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
-34.97%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ₫42.0K
$2.74 Rp 49.2K
-41.61%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.08 ₫28.5K
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
-51.79%
Potato (1kg)
$1.07 ₫28.2K
$1.92 Rp 34.4K
-44.27%
Onion (1kg)
$1.05 ₫27.7K
$2.28 Rp 40.8K
-53.95%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.55 ₫14.5K
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
-48.11%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57 ₫14.9K
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
-20.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.38 ₫36.2K
$3.29 Rp 58.9K
-58.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.54 ₫355.9K
$23.19 Rp 416.1K
-41.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.90 ₫23.6K
$2.78 Rp 49.8K
-67.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76 ₫46.2K
$2.73 Rp 49.0K
-35.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 ₫8,777
$0.27 Rp 4,778
22.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.56 ₫198.8K
$8.11 Rp 145.4K
-6.78%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 ₫21.2K
$0.48 Rp 8,659
68.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 ₫16.0K
$0.42 Rp 7,532
45.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.60 ₫42.0K
$6.22 Rp 111.6K
-74.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 ₫22.1K
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
3.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.6K ₫1.0B
$26.6K Rp 477.4M
44.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.3K ₫848.0M
$32.2K Rp 577.4M
0.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.8 ₫2.1M
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
0.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.14 ₫135.2K
$4.07 Rp 73.0K
26.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.79 ₫231.1K
$24.33 Rp 436.4K
-63.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.49 ₫749.1K
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
-71.11%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.02 ₫289.7K
$6.34 Rp 113.7K
73.82%
Cinema Ticket
$3.74 ₫98.5K
$3.99 Rp 71.5K
-6.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$269 ₫7.1M
$305 Rp 5.5M
-11.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K ₫300.7M
$6,642 Rp 119.2M
72.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.01 ₫1.2M
$54.1 Rp 971.2K
-16.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.24 ₫611.1K
$37.81 Rp 678.2K
-38.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.9 ₫2.3M
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
1.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.5 ₫1.9M
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
-3.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$329 ₫8.6M
$992 Rp 17.8M
-66.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$248 ₫6.5M
$673 Rp 12.1M
-63.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$771 ₫20.3M
$3,375 Rp 60.5M
-77.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$608 ₫16.0M
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
-70.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,891 ₫128.6M
$2,805 Rp 50.3M
74.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,709 ₫71.2M
$2,227 Rp 39.9M
21.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hanoi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$516 ₫13.6M
$167 Rp 3.0M
209.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.1
13.28
-31.48%

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

Last update for Hanoi: July 12, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $329 in Hanoi and $992 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Hanoi pays 209% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $27.00 in Hanoi vs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $192 vs $297 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 86% in total monthly costs ($758 vs $1,408 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 209% 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: $329 in Hanoi versus $992 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 $269 in Hanoi versus $305 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 $758 in Hanoi versus $1,408 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 86% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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