Cost of Living: Hoi An vs Malmo (2026)

Vietnam vs Sweden — relocation comparison

TL;DRMalmo scores 9.4 vs 2.6 on democracy. Hoi An summers average 34°C vs 20°C. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
52
Livability Score
🇻🇳 Hoi An
Vietnam
Full profile
73
Livability Score
🇸🇪 Malmo
Sweden
Full profile
Malmo scores 73 to Hoi An's 52 on livability — the gap is real. Hoi An has its charms, but the numbers favor Malmo.
🔒
Safety
Malmo
1.1 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Malmo
9.4/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
34°C vs 20°C summers
🗣️
English
Malmo
higher proficiency score
Hoi An
Metric
Malmo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1092/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$692/mo
🧳
Cost to land
$2,979
1.5 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.1 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
55 / 100
34°C
☀️
Summer high
20°C
20°C
❄️
Winter low
-1°C
Internet speed
84 Mbps
2.6 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
9.4 / 10
Moderate (52/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (86/100)
$16k
💼
GDP per capita
$72k
3.6%
📈
Inflation
2.8%
52 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
73 / 100
Grid reliability
82/100 — Mostly stable
🗽
Freedom House
99/100
📋
Time to PR
5 years

For the Kids

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

468
PISA
country avg
488
13
Intl schools
9
Public school
Yes (Swedish)
Pediatric care
Free for all children; excellent child health clinics (BVC)
Specialist wait
4–12 weeks
Childcare
full-day
$185/mo
capped*

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

Settler Essentials

declining
Democracy trend
stable
Industries
biotechgamingictcleantech
Startup ecosystem
active
Grid reliability
82/100
Time to PR
5 yrs
EU visa
Easy
RU visa
Complex
UA visa
Easy
Spouse works
Your partner can also work

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

The Short Version

  • Summers are dramatically warmer in Hoi An (34°C vs 20°C).
  • Malmo scores higher on democracy (9.4 vs 2.6 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Malmo (86/100 vs 52/100 English proficiency).

Hoi An vs Malmo — Common Questions

Which is safer, Hoi An or Malmo?

Malmo is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Hoi An has a rate of 1.53 per 100,000 and Malmo has 1.10 per 100,000.

Should I move to Hoi An or Malmo?

Malmo scores 73 to Hoi An's 52 on livability — the gap is real. Hoi An has its charms, but the numbers favor Malmo. 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 Hoi An or Malmo?

Hoi An: no specific remote work visa. Malmo: Sweden Self-Employment Permit (complex process, 2 years (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Hoi An or Malmo?

Hoi An is warmer in summer (34°C vs 20°C). Malmo 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 Hoi An or Malmo without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Malmo (EF EPI score: 86/100) than in Hoi An (52/100). In Malmo, 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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