Hanoi vs Sofia: cost of living for digital nomads
Hanoi, Vietnam and Sofia, Bulgaria, 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
- Hanoi is about 19% cheaper than Sofia for a month of nomad living ($1,050 vs $1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $450 in Hanoi against $600 in Sofia.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Sofia: 200 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Hanoi is temperate; Sofia is continental.
Hanoi wins 4 of the measured lines; Sofia wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hanoi or Sofia?
Hanoi is cheaper: about $1,050/month against $1,300/month in Sofia, roughly 19% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hanoi or Sofia?
Hanoi and Sofia score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Hanoi or Sofia?
Sofia has faster typical internet: 200 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Hanoi.
| Line | Hanoi | Sofia |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,050 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $450 | $600 |
| Food | $300 | $360 |
| Transport | $40 | $35 |
| Coworking | $90 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 200 |
| Climate | temperate | continental |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Sofia with
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, Sofia November 4, 2026.