Hoi An: a lantern-lit river town on about $1,000 a month
A UNESCO-listed old port town where daily life runs by bicycle, with Da Nang's airport and bigger hospitals about 40 minutes up the road.
- $1,000/mo
- Monthly budget · single
- 81°F / 27°C
- Avg temperature
Plan on around $1,000 a month in U.S. dollars for one person in Hoi An, with most singles landing between $800 and $1,200. A couple needs about $1,600 and a family of four about $2,400. A one-bedroom near the center rents for about $400, or roughly $300 farther out, and a simple meal out runs about $3. Those are 2026 figures.
Hoi An suits people who'd trade big-city services for a slower, prettier daily life: a bicycle instead of a car, a market instead of a mall, and the beach a short ride away. Da Nang handles what a small town can't, from the airport to the bigger hospitals.
It's a harder fit if you need specialist care nearby, a fast and steady connection for a full workday, or dry streets in the fall. Most of the year's rain falls from October through December, and the old town floods. In late October 2025 the water ran straight through its lantern-lit streets.
Reviewed and updated October 22, 2026 · 4 min read
At a glance
$1,000
Monthly budget · single person
$400/mo 1-bed rent, center
66/100
Safety index
$10
Internet / month
81°Fannual average
Jan 72° · Jun 88°
Climate
Expatsi estimates, updated Oct 2026, based on rental listings, government statistics, and local reporting. Coverage here is thin, so treat these as a rough guide.
Cost of living
What it costs to live in Hoi An
Single person
$800–$1,200/mo
about 70% below Austin, TX
Couple
$1,200–$2,000/mo
about 65% below Austin, TX
Family of four
$1,900–$2,900/mo
about 70% below Austin, TX
Compared with Austin, TX (Expatsi estimate, 2026).
- $3 −85%
- Inexpensive meal
- $300–$500/mo −79%
- 1-bed rent, center
- $200–$400/mo −78%
- 1-bed rent, outside
- $10/mo −85%
- Internet
- $204/sq ft −69%
- Buy price, center
Expatsi estimates, updated Oct 2026, based on rental listings, government statistics, and local reporting. Coverage here is thin, so treat these as a rough guide.
Daily life
How Hoi An lives
- A- grade, 81st percentile among the cities we track
- Dining & cafésstrong
- B grade, 50th percentile among the cities we track
- Arts & culturetypical
- B- grade, 36th percentile among the cities we track
- Parks & outdoorstypical
- C+ grade, 19th percentile among the cities we track
- Schools & educationmodest
- B- grade, 35th percentile among the cities we track
- Healthcare accesstypical
- C- grade, 0th percentile among the cities we track
- Bike infrastructuremodest
- B- grade, 26th percentile among the cities we track
- Public transittypical
- A- grade, good physical accessibility
- Accessibilitygood
Graded on OpenStreetMap amenity density relative to the 436 cities we track. Accessibility is the exception: it's graded against a fixed standard (terrain steepness and sidewalk surfaces), not a curve.
Climate
Weather through the year
Annual average 81°F (27°C) · 96 in of rain a year · Source: Meteostat station normals (48855, 1991-2020)
On the ground
Scenes from Hoi An
Getting around
Transport in Hoi An
The center of Hoi An is flat and small enough to cover by bicycle or on foot, and that's how a lot of daily errands get done. Cars aren't allowed on the old town's walking streets, so a taxi will drop you at the edge.
There's no airport or train station in town. Da Nang is about 17 miles (28 km) north, roughly 40 to 45 minutes by road, and longer at rush hour or in heavy rain. Public bus LK-02 runs between the two for about 30,000 to 35,000 dong ($1 to $1.50), paid in cash to the driver, and the ride takes about an hour. A Grab car costs about 250,000 to 350,000 dong ($10 to $14). Grab works here, but there are fewer cars than in Da Nang, especially at night, so book an early airport run the evening before. For metered taxis, stick with Mai Linh or Vinasun.
The scooter question is where people get caught. Your U.S. license isn't valid in Vietnam, and neither is an international driving permit from the U.S., so riding legally means getting a Vietnamese motorbike license. Take that seriously: the State Department says traffic accidents are the leading cause of death and serious injury for foreigners in Vietnam. A bicycle plus Grab covers most of life here.
- 4.0/sq mi
- Transit stops
- 0.0/sq mi
- Bike infrastructure
- 2.1/sq mi
- Wheelchair-accessible places
Mapped features per square mile from OpenStreetMap.
Keep exploring
Places like Hoi An
Community
Community & practical notes
Community: Hoi An is small, so your social circle will probably stretch up the road to Da Nang. Newcomers find rentals through local Facebook groups such as Hoi An Expats, on Vietnamese listing sites, and by asking around. One expat lists the Ancient Town, Cam Chau, Cam An and Cua Dai among the popular areas. When you move in, make sure your address gets registered with the local police within 24 hours. Vietnam requires it for every guest in a private home.
Healthcare: Plan on Da Nang for anything serious. Hoi An's public hospitals are often crowded, and staff may not speak English, so expats tend to head north for specialist care at private hospitals such as Vinmec International. The State Department says doctors and hospitals expect cash up front and strongly recommends medical evacuation coverage. The ambulance number is 115. ExpatInsure can set up international health coverage, and healthcare coach Hunter Schultz can help you work out what level of care you need.
Remote work: Home internet runs about $10 a month, but speeds here are slower and less consistent than in Da Nang, and fiber depends on the building. Ask for a speed test before you sign a lease. No dedicated coworking space has lasted long in Hoi An, so most remote workers use cafes or their apartment. If you need a desk and coworkers every day, live in Da Nang and visit Hoi An on weekends.
LGBTQ expats: The State Department says there are no legal restrictions on same-sex relationships or on attending LGBTQ events in Vietnam. We couldn't confirm whether Vietnam's family visa covers a same-sex spouse, so talk to a local immigration lawyer before you plan a move as a couple.
Black Americans: We couldn't find a published account of what Black Americans experience living in Hoi An, and we'd rather say that than guess. The closest community we found is FEXBLACK, a group for Black women living in Southeast Asia, whose members describe a large Black expat community in Ho Chi Minh City. Reach out there before you commit, and spend a few weeks in Hoi An first.
Limited mobility: This is a hard place to get around with a wheelchair or walker. The State Department says most public places and public transportation in Vietnam aren't accessible, though newer buildings in bigger cities often have ramps. The old town is a district of narrow, centuries-old timber shophouses, and fall floods make streets impassable. Look for a newer ground-floor or elevator building outside the old town, and expect to rely on Grab cars.
Retirement: Hoi An draws retirees with mild winters, when January highs average about 76°F, and a budget that stretches. Vietnam has no retirement visa, though. Most retirees live on 90-day e-visas, which cost $25 for one entry or $50 for multiple entries, and leave the country to start the next one. It works, but it isn't residency. Our Vietnam guide covers every legal route, and our retirement visa page compares countries that do offer one.
Housing
Renting and buying
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $300–$500/mo
- 1-bed rent (outside center)
- $200–$400/mo
- Buy price (center)
- $204/sq ft
- Buy price (outside center)
- $139/sq ft
Expatsi estimates, based on rental listings, government statistics, and local reporting. Coverage here is thin, so treat these as a rough guide.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Does Hoi An flood?
Yes. UNESCO lists annual flooding as a pressure on Hoi An's old town, and most of the region's rain falls in October, November and December. In late October 2025, floodwater ran through the old town's streets and storms killed at least 35 people in central Vietnam. If you rent, ask the landlord how high the water has reached at the property.
Is Hoi An safe for Americans?
Hoi An scores 66 out of 100 on Expatsi's safety index. The bigger everyday risk is the road: the U.S. State Department says traffic accidents are the leading cause of death and serious injury for foreigners in Vietnam. Seasonal flooding from October through December is the other hazard to plan around.
Can I retire in Hoi An?
You can live there in retirement, but Vietnam has no retirement visa. Most stay on 90-day e-visas ($25 for single entry, $50 for multiple entry as of 2026) and leave the country between them, which isn't legal residency. Longer-term options depend on a job, a business investment or a Vietnamese family tie.
What is the weather like in Hoi An?
Warm all year, with an annual average near 81°F. Summer is hot, with average highs near 95°F in June, while January highs average about 76°F. February through April is the driest stretch, and October and November are the wettest months, often with flooding.
Where do expats in Hoi An go for medical care?
For anything serious or specialized, expats in Hoi An usually go to Da Nang, which has private hospitals such as Vinmec International. Public hospitals in Hoi An are often crowded. Expect to pay in cash before treatment, and carry international health insurance that includes medical evacuation.
Is Hoi An good for digital nomads?
It works if you value calm over speed. Internet in Hoi An is slower and less consistent than in Da Nang, no dedicated coworking space has lasted there, and most remote workers use cafes or their apartment. Home internet costs about $10 a month, but ask for a speed test before you sign a lease.
How much does it cost to live in Hoi An, Vietnam?
Plan on about $1,000 a month for one person in Hoi An as of 2026, with most singles spending between $800 and $1,200. A couple needs about $1,600 and a family of four about $2,400. A one-bedroom apartment near the center rents for about $400 a month, or about $300 farther out.
How far is Hoi An from Da Nang airport?
About 17 miles (28 km), roughly 40 to 45 minutes by road, and longer at rush hour or in heavy rain. A Grab car costs about 250,000 to 350,000 dong ($10 to $14). Public bus LK-02 runs between Hoi An and Da Nang for about 30,000 to 35,000 dong ($1 to $1.50), though its Da Nang end is a long way from the airport.
See how Hoi An fits your life
Take the free Expatsi Test and compare Vietnam to over 100 countries on what actually matters: cost, healthcare, climate, and safety. About five minutes.
Why not you?