Cost of Living: Hoi An vs Zurich (2026)

Vietnam vs Switzerland — relocation comparison

TL;DRZurich is safer — homicide rate 0.5 vs 1.5 per 100k. Zurich scores 9.1 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
70
Livability Score
🇨🇭 Zurich
Switzerland
Full profile
Zurich scores 70 to Hoi An's 52 on livability — the gap is real. Hoi An has its charms, but the numbers favor Zurich.
🔒
Safety
Zurich
0.5 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Zurich
9.1/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
34°C vs 23°C summers
🗣️
English
Zurich
higher proficiency score
Hoi An
Metric
Zurich
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$3006/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$1161/mo
🧳
Cost to land
$16,802
1.5 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.5 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
23 / 100
34°C
☀️
Summer high
23°C
20°C
❄️
Winter low
-2°C
Internet speed
213 Mbps
2.6 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
9.1 / 10
Moderate (52/100)
🗣️
English ease
High (68/100)
$16k
💼
GDP per capita
$96k
3.6%
📈
Inflation
1.1%
52 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
70 / 100
Grid reliability
99/100 — Reliable
🗽
Freedom House
96/100
📋
Time to PR
10 years

For the Kids

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

468
PISA
country avg
498
13
Intl schools
3
Public school
Yes (German)
Specialist wait
1–3 weeks
Childcare
full-day
$3644/mo

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

Settler Essentials

declining
Democracy trend
improving
Industries
financepharmadeep-techinsurance
Startup ecosystem
active
Grid reliability
99/100
Time to PR
10 yrs
EU visa
Easy
RU visa
Complex
UA visa
Moderate
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 23°C).
  • Zurich is safer by homicide rate (0.5 vs 1.5 per 100k).
  • Zurich scores higher on democracy (9.1 vs 2.6 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Zurich (68/100 vs 52/100 English proficiency).

Hoi An vs Zurich — Common Questions

Which is safer, Hoi An or Zurich?

Zurich is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Hoi An has a rate of 1.53 per 100,000 and Zurich has 0.48 per 100,000.

Should I move to Hoi An or Zurich?

Zurich scores 70 to Hoi An's 52 on livability — the gap is real. Hoi An has its charms, but the numbers favor Zurich. 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 Zurich?

Hoi An: no specific remote work visa. Zurich: Switzerland Work Permit (L/B) (complex process, 1 year (B permit) or renewable). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Hoi An or Zurich?

Hoi An is warmer in summer (34°C vs 23°C). Zurich 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 Zurich without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Zurich (EF EPI score: 68/100) than in Hoi An (52/100). In Zurich, 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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