Hoi An vs Paro: cost of living for digital nomads
Hoi An, Vietnam and Paro, Bhutan, 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 3% cheaper than Paro for a month of nomad living ($990 vs $1,020).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $380 in Paro against $400 in Hoi An.
- Paro scores higher on safety (9/10 vs 8/10).
- Internet is faster in Hoi An: 100 Mbps typical against 45 Mbps.
- Hoi An is tropical; Paro is temperate.
Hoi An wins 4 of the measured lines; Paro wins 4.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hoi An or Paro?
Hoi An is cheaper: about $990/month against $1,020/month in Paro, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hoi An or Paro?
Paro scores higher on safety: 9/10 against 8/10 for Hoi An.
Which has faster internet, Hoi An or Paro?
Hoi An has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 45 Mbps in Paro.
| Line | Hoi An | Paro |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $990 | $1,020 |
| Rent | $400 | $380 |
| Food | $280 | $310 |
| Transport | $40 | $30 |
| Coworking | $80 | $65 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 45 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | small | small |
| Setting | coast | mountain |
| 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): Hoi An September 10, 2026, Paro September 11, 2026.