Ho Chi Minh City vs Hoi An: cost of living for digital nomads
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 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
- Hoi An is about 14% cheaper than Ho Chi Minh City for a month of nomad living ($990 vs $1,150).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Hoi An against $500 in Ho Chi Minh City.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Hoi An: 100 Mbps typical against 90 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Ho Chi Minh City wins 1 of the measured lines; Hoi An wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Ho Chi Minh City or Hoi An?
Hoi An is cheaper: about $990/month against $1,150/month in Ho Chi Minh City, roughly 14% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Ho Chi Minh City or Hoi An?
Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Ho Chi Minh City or Hoi An?
Hoi An has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 90 Mbps in Ho Chi Minh City.
| Line | Ho Chi Minh City | Hoi An |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,150 | $990 |
| Rent | $500 | $400 |
| Food | $320 | $280 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $110 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 9/10 | 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): Ho Chi Minh City November 6, 2026, Hoi An September 10, 2026.