Cost of Living: Edinburgh vs Hoi An (2026)

United Kingdom vs Vietnam — relocation comparison

TL;DREdinburgh scores 8.3 vs 2.6 on democracy. Hoi An summers average 34°C vs 17°C. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
69
Livability Score
🇬🇧 Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Full profile
52
Livability Score
🇻🇳 Hoi An
Vietnam
Full profile
Edinburgh scores 69 to Hoi An's 52 on livability — the gap is real. Hoi An has its charms, but the numbers favor Edinburgh.
🔒
Safety
Edinburgh
1.1 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Edinburgh
8.3/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
17°C vs 34°C summers
🗣️
English
Edinburgh
higher proficiency score
Edinburgh
Metric
Hoi An
$1620/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$902/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$5,513
🧳
Cost to land
1.1 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.5 / 100k
30 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
17°C
☀️
Summer high
34°C
1°C
❄️
Winter low
20°C
89 Mbps
Internet speed
8.3 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
2.6 / 10
Very High (96/100)
🗣️
English ease
Moderate (52/100)
$62k
💼
GDP per capita
$16k
3.3%
📈
Inflation
3.6%
69 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
52 / 100
92/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
92/100
🗽
Freedom House
5 years
📋
Time to PR

For the Kids

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

494
PISA
country avg
468
25
Intl schools
13
Yes (English)
Public school
Full pediatric NHS coverage for all residents
Pediatric care
6–18 weeks
Specialist wait
$1765/mo
Childcare
full-day

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

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
declining
fintechbiotechtourismeducation
Industries
active
Startup ecosystem
92/100
Grid reliability
5 yrs
Time to PR
Moderate
EU visa
Complex
RU visa
Moderate
UA visa
Your partner can also work
Spouse works

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

The Short Version

  • Summers are dramatically warmer in Hoi An (34°C vs 17°C).
  • Edinburgh scores higher on democracy (8.3 vs 2.6 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Edinburgh (96/100 vs 52/100 English proficiency).

Edinburgh vs Hoi An — Common Questions

Which is safer, Edinburgh or Hoi An?

Edinburgh is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Edinburgh has a rate of 1.07 per 100,000 and Hoi An has 1.53 per 100,000.

Should I move to Edinburgh or Hoi An?

Edinburgh scores 69 to Hoi An's 52 on livability — the gap is real. Hoi An has its charms, but the numbers favor Edinburgh. 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 Edinburgh or Hoi An?

Edinburgh: UK Skilled Worker Visa (complex process, Up to 5 years). Hoi An: no specific remote work visa. See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Edinburgh or Hoi An?

Hoi An is warmer in summer (34°C vs 17°C). Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Hoi An without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Edinburgh (EF EPI score: 96/100) than in Hoi An (52/100). In Edinburgh, 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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