Beijing VS Hanoi

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Beijing
China
43.5
COLI Index
#62
Global Rank
CNY
Currency
Hanoi
Vietnam
24.1
COLI Index
#100
Global Rank
VND
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
43.5
24.1
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,000
$450
Total Deductions
34.8%
26.9%
Exchange Rate
1 CNY = 3713.6465 VND
Is Beijing cheaper than Hanoi?

Yes, Hanoi is 45% cheaper than Beijing based on our cost of living index. Hanoi has a COLI of 24.1, while Beijing has a COLI of 43.5. 45% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Beijing vs Hanoi

Overall, Hanoi is approximately 45% cheaper than Beijing based on our cost of living index. Beijing has a COLI of 43.5 (ranked #62 of 182 cities), while Hanoi has a COLI of 24.1 (ranked #100).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Beijing averages $1,000/month compared to $450/month in Hanoi. That makes Hanoi approximately 55% cheaper for rent alone.

Hanoi has lower total deductions (26.9%) compared to Beijing (34.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Hanoi. 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.

Beijing

Income Tax
12%
Five Insurances + Housing Fund
22.5%
Total: 34.8%Take-Home: ¥143,207/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 ¥504,895 in Beijing, you would need approximately ₫1,038,793,103 in Hanoi to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 45% 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 Beijing (CNY) Hanoi (VND)
Doctor (General) ¥527,110 ₫1,084,500,000
Software Engineer ¥248,913 ₫512,125,000
Product Manager ¥292,839 ₫602,500,000
Lawyer ¥292,839 ₫602,500,000
Data Scientist ¥278,197 ₫572,375,000
Marketing Manager ¥210,844 ₫433,800,000
Teacher ¥140,563 ₫289,200,000
Nurse ¥169,847 ₫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

Beijing (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Chaoyang (CBD)1.28x (+28%)
Chaoyang (Sanlitun)1.25x (+25%)
Dongcheng1.22x (+22%)
Guomao1.22x (+22%)
Xicheng1.18x (+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 Beijing or Hanoi more expensive?

Beijing is more expensive overall. Beijing has a COLI of 43.5 while Hanoi has a COLI of 24.1, making Hanoi approximately 45% cheaper.

What salary in Hanoi equals ¥504,895 in Beijing?

To maintain the same standard of living as ¥504,895 in Beijing, you would need approximately ₫1,038,793,103 in Hanoi.

Is rent cheaper in Beijing or Hanoi?

Average one-bedroom rent in Beijing is $1,000/month compared to $450/month in Hanoi. Hanoi has lower rent by approximately 55%.

Which city has lower taxes, Beijing or Hanoi?

Hanoi has lower total deductions (26.9%) compared to Beijing (34.8%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Hanoi.

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.