Cost of Living: Hoi An vs Seattle (2026)

Vietnam vs United States — relocation comparison

TL;DRHoi An is safer — homicide rate 1.5 vs 8.8 per 100k. Seattle scores 7.8 vs 2.6 on democracy. Both are solid options for settling down — the spreadsheet won't save you from this one.
52
Livability Score
🇻🇳 Hoi An
Vietnam
Full profile
60
Livability Score
🇺🇸 Seattle
United States
Full profile
Seattle edges ahead 60 to 52. Hoi An isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
🔒
Safety
Hoi An
1.5 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Seattle
7.8/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
34°C vs 24°C summers
🗣️
English
Seattle
higher proficiency score
Hoi An
Metric
Seattle
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$2442/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$986/mo
🧳
Cost to land
$9,703
1.5 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
8.8 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
55 / 100
34°C
☀️
Summer high
24°C
20°C
❄️
Winter low
3°C
Internet speed
185 Mbps
2.6 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
7.8 / 10
Moderate (52/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (100/100)
$16k
💼
GDP per capita
$86k
3.6%
📈
Inflation
2.9%
52 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
60 / 100
Grid reliability
83/100 — Mostly stable
🗽
Freedom House
80/100
📋
Time to PR
5 years

For the Kids

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

468
PISA
country avg
489
13
Intl schools
75
Public school
Yes (English)
Pediatric care
CHIP covers children in low-income families; otherwise depends on employer plan
Specialist wait
2–6 weeks
Childcare
full-day
$2728/mo

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

Settler Essentials

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

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

The Short Version

  • Summers are dramatically warmer in Hoi An (34°C vs 24°C).
  • Hoi An is safer by homicide rate (1.5 vs 8.8 per 100k).
  • Seattle scores higher on democracy (7.8 vs 2.6 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Seattle (100/100 vs 52/100 English proficiency).

Hoi An vs Seattle — Common Questions

Which is safer, Hoi An or Seattle?

Hoi An is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Hoi An has a rate of 1.53 per 100,000 and Seattle has 8.80 per 100,000.

Should I move to Hoi An or Seattle?

Seattle edges ahead 60 to 52. Hoi An isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. 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 Seattle?

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

Which has better weather, Hoi An or Seattle?

Hoi An is warmer in summer (34°C vs 24°C). Seattle 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 Seattle without speaking the local language?

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