Hanoi vs Kandy: cost of living for digital nomads
Hanoi, Vietnam and Kandy, Sri Lanka, 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
- Kandy is about 22% cheaper than Hanoi for a month of nomad living ($820 vs $1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $300 in Kandy against $450 in Hanoi.
- Hanoi scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Hanoi: 90 Mbps typical against 70 Mbps.
- Hanoi is temperate; Kandy is tropical.
Hanoi wins 3 of the measured lines; Kandy wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hanoi or Kandy?
Kandy is cheaper: about $820/month against $1,050/month in Hanoi, roughly 22% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hanoi or Kandy?
Hanoi scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Kandy.
Which has faster internet, Hanoi or Kandy?
Hanoi has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 70 Mbps in Kandy.
| Line | Hanoi | Kandy |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,050 | $820 |
| Rent | $450 | $300 |
| Food | $300 | $240 |
| Transport | $40 | $25 |
| Coworking | $90 | $65 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 70 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | inland | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
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): Hanoi November 9, 2026, Kandy September 11, 2026.