Cost of Living: Cancun vs Hoi An (2026)

Mexico vs Vietnam — relocation comparison

TL;DRHoi An is safer — homicide rate 1.5 vs 26.1 per 100k. Cancun scores 5.1 vs 2.6 on democracy. Neither city will test your commitment to owning a coat.
50
Livability Score
🇲🇽 Cancun
Mexico
Full profile
52
Livability Score
🇻🇳 Hoi An
Vietnam
Full profile
Cancun and Hoi An are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin.
🔒
Safety
Hoi An
1.5 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Cancun
5.1/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
32°C vs 34°C summers
🗣️
English
Hoi An
higher proficiency score
Cancun
Metric
Hoi An
$737/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$573/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$2,961
🧳
Cost to land
26.1 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.5 / 100k
32°C
☀️
Summer high
34°C
20°C
❄️
Winter low
20°C
5.1 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
2.6 / 10
Low (34/100)
🗣️
English ease
Moderate (52/100)
$26k
💼
GDP per capita
$16k
4.7%
📈
Inflation
3.6%
50 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
52 / 100

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

407
PISA
country avg
468
15
Intl schools
13
$219/mo
Childcare
full-day

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

declining
Democracy trend
declining

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Summers are slightly warmer in Hoi An (34°C vs 32°C).
  • Hoi An is safer by homicide rate (1.5 vs 26.1 per 100k).
  • Cancun scores higher on democracy (5.1 vs 2.6 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Hoi An (52/100 vs 34/100 English proficiency).

Cancun vs Hoi An — Common Questions

Which is safer, Cancun or Hoi An?

Hoi An is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Cancun has a rate of 26.11 per 100,000 and Hoi An has 1.53 per 100,000.

Should I move to Cancun or Hoi An?

Cancun and Hoi An are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Which has better weather, Cancun or Hoi An?

Hoi An is warmer in summer (34°C vs 32°C). Cancun has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Can I live in Cancun or Hoi An without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Hoi An (EF EPI score: 52/100) than in Cancun (34/100). In Hoi An, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Cancun, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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