Bangkok VS Hanoi

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Bangkok
Thailand
37.2
COLI Index
#70
Global Rank
THB
Currency
Hanoi
Vietnam
24.1
COLI Index
#100
Global Rank
VND
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
37.2
24.1
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$600
$450
Total Deductions
11.2%
26.9%
Exchange Rate
1 THB = 806.6672 VND
Is Bangkok cheaper than Hanoi?

Yes, Hanoi is 35% cheaper than Bangkok based on our cost of living index. Hanoi has a COLI of 24.1, while Bangkok has a COLI of 37.2. 35% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Bangkok vs Hanoi

Overall, Hanoi is approximately 35% cheaper than Bangkok based on our cost of living index. Bangkok has a COLI of 37.2 (ranked #70 of 182 cities), while Hanoi has a COLI of 24.1 (ranked #100).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Bangkok averages $600/month compared to $450/month in Hanoi. That makes Hanoi approximately 25% cheaper for rent alone.

Bangkok has lower total deductions (11.2%) compared to Hanoi (26.9%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Bangkok. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Bangkok

Income Tax
10%
Social Security
1.0%
Total: 11.2%Take-Home: ฿767,735/yr

Hanoi

Income Tax
16%
Social + Health + Unemployment
10.5%
Total: 26.9%Take-Home: ₫330,459,375/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn ฿2,324,379 in Bangkok, you would need approximately ₫1,214,717,742 in Hanoi to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 35% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Bangkok (THB) Hanoi (VND)
Doctor (General) ฿2,075,205 ₫1,084,500,000
Software Engineer ฿979,958 ₫512,125,000
Product Manager ฿1,152,892 ₫602,500,000
Lawyer ฿1,152,892 ₫602,500,000
Data Scientist ฿1,095,247 ₫572,375,000
Marketing Manager ฿830,082 ₫433,800,000
Teacher ฿553,388 ₫289,200,000
Nurse ฿668,677 ₫349,450,000

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Bangkok (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Thonglor1.28x (+28%)
Sukhumvit (Asoke)1.25x (+25%)
Silom / Sathorn1.22x (+22%)
Thong Lo Soi1.22x (+22%)
Siam1.18x (+18%)

Hanoi (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Hoan Kiem (Old Quarter)1.25x (+25%)
Tay Ho (West Lake)1.22x (+22%)
Ba Dinh1.18x (+18%)
Tay Ho Tay1.15x (+15%)
Hai Ba Trung1.08x (+8%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bangkok or Hanoi more expensive?

Bangkok is more expensive overall. Bangkok has a COLI of 37.2 while Hanoi has a COLI of 24.1, making Hanoi approximately 35% cheaper.

What salary in Hanoi equals ฿2,324,379 in Bangkok?

To maintain the same standard of living as ฿2,324,379 in Bangkok, you would need approximately ₫1,214,717,742 in Hanoi.

Is rent cheaper in Bangkok or Hanoi?

Average one-bedroom rent in Bangkok is $600/month compared to $450/month in Hanoi. Hanoi has lower rent by approximately 25%.

Which city has lower taxes, Bangkok or Hanoi?

Bangkok has lower total deductions (11.2%) compared to Hanoi (26.9%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Bangkok.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.