Hoi An vs Nairobi: cost of living for digital nomads
Hoi An, Vietnam and Nairobi, Kenya, 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 24% cheaper than Nairobi for a month of nomad living ($990 vs $1,300).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Hoi An against $580 in Nairobi.
- Hoi An scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Hoi An: 100 Mbps typical against 40 Mbps.
- Hoi An is tropical; Nairobi is temperate.
Hoi An wins 8 of the measured lines; Nairobi wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hoi An or Nairobi?
Hoi An is cheaper: about $990/month against $1,300/month in Nairobi, roughly 24% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hoi An or Nairobi?
Hoi An scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Nairobi.
Which has faster internet, Hoi An or Nairobi?
Hoi An has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 40 Mbps in Nairobi.
| Line | Hoi An | Nairobi |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $990 | $1,300 |
| Rent | $400 | $580 |
| Food | $280 | $360 |
| Transport | $40 | $50 |
| Coworking | $80 | $110 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 40 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Compare Nairobi 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): Hoi An September 10, 2026, Nairobi November 9, 2026.