Cape Town vs Hanoi: cost of living for digital nomads
Cape Town, South Africa 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 34% cheaper than Cape Town for a month of nomad living ($1,050 vs $1,600).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Hanoi against $720 in Cape Town.
- Hanoi scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Hanoi: 90 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Cape Town is mediterranean; Hanoi is temperate.
Cape Town wins 1 of the measured lines; Hanoi wins 7.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cape Town or Hanoi?
Hanoi is cheaper: about $1,050/month against $1,600/month in Cape Town, roughly 34% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cape Town or Hanoi?
Hanoi scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Cape Town.
Which has faster internet, Cape Town or Hanoi?
Hanoi has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Cape Town.
| Line | Cape Town | Hanoi |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,600 | $1,050 |
| Rent | $720 | $450 |
| Food | $430 | $300 |
| Transport | $60 | $40 |
| Coworking | $130 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 90 |
| Climate | mediterranean | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Cape Town 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): Cape Town November 10, 2026, Hanoi November 9, 2026.