[Infographic] Living costs across Southeast Asian capitals: Hanoi emerges as a competitive low-cost destination

13Apr2026

B&Company

Life / Public Service / Multi-country Research

B&Company is the first Japanese company specializing in market research and investment consulting in Vietnam since 2008.

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Among Southeast Asian capitals, Hanoi stands out as one of the most affordable cities, with average monthly expenses of USD 602 per person. This is lower than Jakarta (USD 648), Kuala Lumpur (USD 805), Phnom Penh (USD 820), Manila (USD 836), Bangkok (USD 944), and especially Singapore (USD 1,854). The data reinforces Vietnam’s appeal as a cost-competitive destination not only for tourism, but also for living, working, and investment.

Notably, Phnom Penh is considerably more expensive than Hanoi. One likely reason is that housing costs in Phnom Penh remain relatively high due to limited affordable supply. In addition, Cambodia’s highly dollarized economy and its greater exposure to global food and fuel price fluctuations may contribute to keeping living costs elevated.

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