Hoi An vs Panama City: cost of living for digital nomads
Hoi An, Vietnam and Panama City, Panama, 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 45% cheaper than Panama City for a month of nomad living ($990 vs $1,800).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Hoi An against $850 in Panama City.
- Hoi An scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Both have a tropical climate.
Hoi An wins 6 of the measured lines; Panama City wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hoi An or Panama City?
Hoi An is cheaper: about $990/month against $1,800/month in Panama City, roughly 45% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hoi An or Panama City?
Hoi An scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Panama City.
Which has faster internet, Hoi An or Panama City?
Hoi An and Panama City have about the same typical internet speed, 100 Mbps.
| Line | Hoi An | Panama City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $990 | $1,800 |
| Rent | $400 | $850 |
| Food | $280 | $460 |
| Transport | $40 | $50 |
| Coworking | $80 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Panama City 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, Panama City November 1, 2026.