Colombo vs Hoi An: cost of living for digital nomads
Colombo, Sri Lanka 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 6% cheaper than Colombo for a month of nomad living ($990 vs $1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Hoi An against $450 in Colombo.
- Hoi An scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Hoi An: 100 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Colombo wins 0 of the measured lines; Hoi An wins 7.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Colombo or Hoi An?
Hoi An is cheaper: about $990/month against $1,050/month in Colombo, roughly 6% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Colombo or Hoi An?
Hoi An scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Colombo.
Which has faster internet, Colombo or Hoi An?
Hoi An has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Colombo.
| Line | Colombo | Hoi An |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,050 | $990 |
| Rent | $450 | $400 |
| Food | $300 | $280 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $90 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 40 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | coast | 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): Colombo November 6, 2026, Hoi An September 10, 2026.