Hoi An vs Santa Ana: cost of living for digital nomads
Hoi An, Vietnam and Santa Ana, El Salvador, 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 Santa Ana for a month of nomad living ($990 vs $1,025).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $380 in Santa Ana against $400 in Hoi An.
- Hoi An scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Hoi An: 100 Mbps typical against 70 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Hoi An wins 5 of the measured lines; Santa Ana wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Hoi An or Santa Ana?
Hoi An is cheaper: about $990/month against $1,025/month in Santa Ana, roughly 3% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Hoi An or Santa Ana?
Hoi An scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Santa Ana.
Which has faster internet, Hoi An or Santa Ana?
Hoi An has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 70 Mbps in Santa Ana.
| Line | Hoi An | Santa Ana |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $990 | $1,025 |
| Rent | $400 | $380 |
| Food | $280 | $300 |
| Transport | $40 | $35 |
| Coworking | $80 | $75 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 70 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | mid |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| 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, Santa Ana September 11, 2026.