Cost of Living: Chicago vs Hoi An (2026)

United States vs Vietnam — relocation comparison

TL;DRHoi An is safer — homicide rate 1.5 vs 18.2 per 100k. Chicago scores 7.8 vs 2.6 on democracy. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
54
Livability Score
🇺🇸 Chicago
United States
Full profile
52
Livability Score
🇻🇳 Hoi An
Vietnam
Full profile
Chicago and Hoi An are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin.
🔒
Safety
Hoi An
1.5 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Chicago
7.8/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
27°C vs 34°C summers
🗣️
English
Chicago
higher proficiency score
Chicago
Metric
Hoi An
$2388/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$819/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$8,623
🧳
Cost to land
18.2 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.5 / 100k
66 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
27°C
☀️
Summer high
34°C
-4°C
❄️
Winter low
20°C
180 Mbps
Internet speed
7.8 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
2.6 / 10
Very High (100/100)
🗣️
English ease
Moderate (52/100)
$86k
💼
GDP per capita
$16k
2.9%
📈
Inflation
3.6%
54 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
52 / 100
83/100 — Mostly stable
Grid reliability
80/100
🗽
Freedom House
5 years
📋
Time to PR

For the Kids

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

489
PISA
country avg
468
4
Intl schools
13
Yes (English)
Public school
CHIP covers children in low-income families; otherwise depends on employer plan
Pediatric care
2–6 weeks
Specialist wait
$1825/mo
Childcare
full-day

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

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
declining
financetradinghealthcaremanufacturing
Industries
hub
Startup ecosystem
83/100
Grid reliability
5 yrs
Time to PR
Moderate
EU visa
Complex
RU visa
Moderate
UA visa
⚠️ Your partner can exist, not earn
Spouse works

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

The Short Version

  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Hoi An (34°C vs 27°C).
  • Hoi An is safer by homicide rate (1.5 vs 18.2 per 100k).
  • Chicago scores higher on democracy (7.8 vs 2.6 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Chicago (100/100 vs 52/100 English proficiency).

Chicago vs Hoi An — Common Questions

Which is safer, Chicago or Hoi An?

Hoi An is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Chicago has a rate of 18.20 per 100,000 and Hoi An has 1.53 per 100,000.

Should I move to Chicago or Hoi An?

Chicago 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.

Is it easier to get residency in Chicago or Hoi An?

Chicago: US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process, Permanent residence). Hoi An: no specific remote work visa. See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Chicago or Hoi An?

Hoi An is warmer in summer (34°C vs 27°C). Chicago 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 Chicago or Hoi An without speaking the local language?

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

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

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