Hanoi vs Ulaanbaatar: cost of living for digital nomads
Hanoi, Vietnam and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, 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 and Ulaanbaatar cost about the same per month ($1,050).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Ulaanbaatar against $450 in Hanoi.
- Hanoi scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Ulaanbaatar: 110 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Hanoi is temperate; Ulaanbaatar is continental.
Hanoi wins 2 of the measured lines; Ulaanbaatar wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hanoi or Ulaanbaatar?
Hanoi and Ulaanbaatar cost about the same per month for a remote worker, both around $1,050.
Which city is safer, Hanoi or Ulaanbaatar?
Hanoi scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Ulaanbaatar.
Which has faster internet, Hanoi or Ulaanbaatar?
Ulaanbaatar has faster typical internet: 110 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Hanoi.
| Line | Hanoi | Ulaanbaatar |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,050 | $1,050 |
| Rent | $450 | $400 |
| Food | $300 | $300 |
| Transport | $40 | $30 |
| Coworking | $90 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 110 |
| Climate | temperate | continental |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 5/10 |
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, Ulaanbaatar September 11, 2026.