Dumaguete vs Hoi An: cost of living for digital nomads
Dumaguete, 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
- Dumaguete is about 1% cheaper than Hoi An for a month of nomad living ($980 vs $990).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $380 in Dumaguete against $400 in Hoi An.
- Hoi An scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Hoi An: 100 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Dumaguete wins 2 of the measured lines; Hoi An wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Dumaguete or Hoi An?
Dumaguete is cheaper: about $980/month against $990/month in Hoi An, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Dumaguete or Hoi An?
Hoi An scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Dumaguete.
Which has faster internet, Dumaguete or Hoi An?
Hoi An has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Dumaguete.
| Line | Dumaguete | Hoi An |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $980 | $990 |
| Rent | $380 | $400 |
| Food | $280 | $280 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $80 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | 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): Dumaguete September 10, 2026, Hoi An September 10, 2026.