Can I Afford to Live in Hanoi vs Charleston on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Hanoi, VN
$7,155/mo take-home
Rent: $450/mo (6% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Charleston, SC
$6,535/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (29% of take-home)
Manageable

Monthly budget breakdown

Hanoi
VN
Charleston
SC
Monthly take-home (est.)
$7,155Best ✓
$6,535
1BR rent
$450Best ✓
$1,900
Groceries (est.)
$380
$376Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$55Best ✓
Utilities
$50Best ✓
$162
Internet
$15Best ✓
$63
Left after essentials
$6,110/month
$3,979/month
Hanoi (Hanoi) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Charleston (SC rate: 6.2%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Hanoi?

At $120K/year in Hanoi, your estimated monthly take-home is $7,155. With 1BR rent around $450/month, rent takes up 6% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $120K a good salary in Charleston?

At $120K/year in Charleston, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,535. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 29% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

Hanoi leaves you with more money after core expenses — $6,110/month vs $3,979/month in Charleston.

Can I afford to live alone in Hanoi on $120K?

Yes. At $120K in Hanoi, rent takes 6% of your take-home, leaving $6,110/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Hanoi vs Charleston

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See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only