Diani Beach vs Ho Chi Minh City: cost of living for digital nomads
Diani Beach, Kenya and Ho Chi Minh City, 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
- Ho Chi Minh City is about 5% cheaper than Diani Beach for a month of nomad living ($1,150 vs $1,215).
- Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Ho Chi Minh City: 90 Mbps typical against 70 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Diani Beach wins 2 of the measured lines; Ho Chi Minh City wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Diani Beach or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City is cheaper: about $1,150/month against $1,215/month in Diani Beach, roughly 5% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Diani Beach or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Diani Beach.
Which has faster internet, Diani Beach or Ho Chi Minh City?
Ho Chi Minh City has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 70 Mbps in Diani Beach.
| Line | Diani Beach | Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,215 | $1,150 |
| Rent | $500 | $500 |
| Food | $330 | $320 |
| Transport | $35 | $40 |
| Coworking | $85 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 70 | 90 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
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): Diani Beach September 11, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City November 6, 2026.