Bangkok vs Hanoi: cost of living for digital nomads
Bangkok, Thailand and Hanoi, Vietnam, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Hanoi is about 39% cheaper than Bangkok for a month of nomad living ($1,050 vs $1,720).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Hanoi against $720 in Bangkok.
- Hanoi scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Bangkok: 230 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Bangkok is tropical; Hanoi is temperate.
Bangkok wins 2 of the measured lines; Hanoi wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Bangkok or Hanoi?
Hanoi is cheaper: about $1,050/month against $1,720/month in Bangkok, roughly 39% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Bangkok or Hanoi?
Hanoi scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Bangkok.
Which has faster internet, Bangkok or Hanoi?
Bangkok has faster typical internet: 230 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Hanoi.
| Line | Bangkok | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,720 | $1,050 |
| Rent | $720 | $450 |
| Food | $420 | $300 |
| Transport | $60 | $40 |
| Coworking | $130 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 230 | 90 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Bangkok with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Bangkok November 1, 2026, Hanoi November 9, 2026.