Hanoi vs Luang Prabang: cost of living for digital nomads
Hanoi, Vietnam and Luang Prabang, Laos, 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
- Luang Prabang is about 16% cheaper than Hanoi for a month of nomad living ($880 vs $1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $330 in Luang Prabang against $450 in Hanoi.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Hanoi: 90 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Hanoi is temperate; Luang Prabang is tropical.
Hanoi wins 2 of the measured lines; Luang Prabang wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hanoi or Luang Prabang?
Luang Prabang is cheaper: about $880/month against $1,050/month in Hanoi, roughly 16% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hanoi or Luang Prabang?
Hanoi and Luang Prabang score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Hanoi or Luang Prabang?
Hanoi has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Luang Prabang.
| Line | Hanoi | Luang Prabang |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,050 | $880 |
| Rent | $450 | $330 |
| Food | $300 | $260 |
| Transport | $40 | $25 |
| Coworking | $90 | $65 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 50 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| 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, Luang Prabang September 11, 2026.