Hoi An vs Penang: cost of living for digital nomads
Hoi An, Vietnam and Penang, Malaysia, 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 12% cheaper than Penang for a month of nomad living ($990 vs $1,125).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Hoi An against $450 in Penang.
- Both score 8/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Penang: 180 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Hoi An wins 4 of the measured lines; Penang wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hoi An or Penang?
Hoi An is cheaper: about $990/month against $1,125/month in Penang, roughly 12% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hoi An or Penang?
Hoi An and Penang score the same on safety, 8/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Hoi An or Penang?
Penang has faster typical internet: 180 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Hoi An.
| Line | Hoi An | Penang |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $990 | $1,125 |
| Rent | $400 | $450 |
| Food | $280 | $300 |
| Transport | $40 | $35 |
| Coworking | $80 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 180 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | metro |
| Setting | coast | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Compare Penang 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, Penang September 11, 2026.