Cost of Living: Bangkok vs Hoi An (2026)
Thailand vs Vietnam — relocation comparison
For the Kids
Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll
Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems
Settler Essentials
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals
The Short Version
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Hoi An (34°C vs 33°C).
- •Hoi An is safer by homicide rate (1.5 vs 4.8 per 100k).
- •Bangkok scores higher on democracy (6.3 vs 2.6 / 10 EIU).
- •English is easier to get by in Hoi An (52/100 vs 22/100 English proficiency).
Bangkok vs Hoi An — Common Questions
Which is safer, Bangkok or Hoi An?▾
Hoi An is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Bangkok has a rate of 4.79 per 100,000 and Hoi An has 1.53 per 100,000.
Should I move to Bangkok or Hoi An?▾
Bangkok scores 64 to Hoi An's 52 on livability — the gap is real. Hoi An has its charms, but the numbers favor Bangkok. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.
Is it easier to get residency in Bangkok or Hoi An?▾
Bangkok: Thailand LTR Visa (complex process, 10 years). Hoi An: no specific remote work visa. See each city's profile page for full requirements.
Can I live in Bangkok or Hoi An without speaking the local language?▾
English is easier to get by in Hoi An (EF EPI score: 52/100) than in Bangkok (22/100). In Hoi An, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Bangkok, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.
Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.
Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.
Related comparisons