Cebu vs Hoi An: cost of living for digital nomads
Cebu, Philippines and Hoi An, 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
- Hoi An is about 10% cheaper than Cebu for a month of nomad living ($990 vs $1,100).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Hoi An against $450 in Cebu.
- Hoi An scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Hoi An: 100 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Cebu wins 0 of the measured lines; Hoi An wins 8.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Cebu or Hoi An?
Hoi An is cheaper: about $990/month against $1,100/month in Cebu, roughly 10% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Cebu or Hoi An?
Hoi An scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Cebu.
Which has faster internet, Cebu or Hoi An?
Hoi An has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Cebu.
| Line | Cebu | Hoi An |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $990 |
| Rent | $450 | $400 |
| Food | $300 | $280 |
| Transport | $50 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
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): Cebu November 4, 2026, Hoi An September 10, 2026.