Hoi An vs Kathmandu: cost of living for digital nomads
Hoi An, Vietnam and Kathmandu, Nepal, 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
- Kathmandu is about 11% cheaper than Hoi An for a month of nomad living ($880 vs $990).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $350 in Kathmandu against $400 in Hoi An.
- Hoi An scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Hoi An: 100 Mbps typical against 25 Mbps.
- Hoi An is tropical; Kathmandu is temperate.
Hoi An wins 5 of the measured lines; Kathmandu wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hoi An or Kathmandu?
Kathmandu is cheaper: about $880/month against $990/month in Hoi An, roughly 11% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hoi An or Kathmandu?
Hoi An scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Kathmandu.
Which has faster internet, Hoi An or Kathmandu?
Hoi An has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 25 Mbps in Kathmandu.
| Line | Hoi An | Kathmandu |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $990 | $880 |
| Rent | $400 | $350 |
| Food | $280 | $220 |
| Transport | $40 | $50 |
| Coworking | $80 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 25 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | coast | mountain |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
Kathmandu
Budget Himalayan base; power and internet can be patchy.
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): Hoi An September 10, 2026, Kathmandu November 1, 2026.