Hanoi vs Singapore Cost of Living Comparison
Executive summary: Hanoi leads on CPI (24.7 vs 73.7, NYC=100), Hanoi leads on rent index, and Singapore leads on purchasing power. Validate neighbourhood rents before relocating — city-wide winners can reverse at district scale.
Overall Cost Winner
Hanoi
Lower overall CPI; largest measurable gaps: Housing (415% gap, Hanoi ahead); Restaurants (225% gap, Hanoi ahead).
Monthly Cost Difference
Estimated monthly housing+utilities+internet basket is about $2,568 lower in Hanoi than in Singapore (~406% gap; converted via exchange rates).
Estimated monthly difference: $2,568 (favoring Hanoi).
Category Winners
| Category | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Overall CPI | Hanoi | CPI 24.7 vs 73.7 (lower is better) |
| Housing | Hanoi | Rent index 16.5 vs 85 (lower is better) |
| Food | Hanoi | Groceries index 32.4 vs 82 (lower is better) |
| Transport | Singapore | One-way ticket 2.74 vs 11122.66 (lower is better) |
| Utilities | Singapore | Utilities (85m²) 229.5 vs 838200 (lower is better) |
| Internet | Singapore | Internet 75.6 vs 576072 (lower is better) |
| Restaurants | Hanoi | Restaurant index 20 vs 65 (lower is better) |
| Salary | Hanoi | Avg net salary 61732160 vs 7700.4 (higher is better) |
| Purchasing Power | Singapore | PP index 92 vs 39.2 (higher is better) |
Biggest Difference
Housing: Hanoi leads with a 415% gap.
Rent index 16.5 vs 85 (lower is better)
Quick Decision
- Students: Hanoi — Lower housing / rent index (415% gap).
- Families: Hanoi — Housing is typically the largest household line; rent index favors Hanoi; purchasing power favors Singapore.
- Remote Workers: Hanoi — Everyday cost index (CPI) favors Hanoi (~198% gap).
- Budget Living: Hanoi — Lowest overall consumer-price index in this pair.
Key Takeaways
- Hanoi is the overall cost winner on CPI (~198% lower everyday-cost index than Singapore).
- Housing: Hanoi leads on rent index (415% gap).
- Food / groceries: Hanoi is lower (153% gap).
- Purchasing power: Singapore scores higher (135% gap).
- Sample monthly basket (1BR + utilities + internet) is ~$2,568 cheaper in Hanoi.
Analysis
Detailed breakdown uses only paired indices: CPI 24.7/73.7, rent 16.5/85, purchasing power 39.2/92. Category winners can diverge — a city may win rent while losing CPI. No GDP, climate, or industry claims are invented for either city.
Trust & data transparency
Last updated: 2026-08-25
Data Sources
This page uses CityCost index inputs. Platform sources (see also Data sources):
- Regional
- Real
On-page labels for this view: Regional · Real.
Methodology
Each indexed city is associated with a reference basket of common living costs (for example rent, groceries samples, transport tickets, utilities, restaurant meals, and net salary where available). From those items, the platform derives relative indices such as CPI, rent, groceries, restaurants, and local purchasing power, using New York City = 100 as the familiar baseline convention for relative comparison.