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Hoi An vs Penang cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇻🇳 Hoi An
🇲🇾 PenangHoi An and Penang cost about the same
Living on $1,423 a month in Hoi An feels like about $1,413 in Penang — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$74.7 vs $71.3
Per month
$1,423 vs $1,413
Local meal
â‚« 53,000 vs RM 11
$2.02 vs $2.56
Taxi 5 km
â‚« 79,000 vs RM 15
$3 vs $3.49
At a glance
FoodHoi An 13% cheaper
Cafés & drinksHoi An 63% cheaper
TransportHoi An 38% cheaper
Staysimilar
FunHoi An 31% cheaper
- Where Hoi An is clearly cheaper: Beer (69%↓), Cocktail & wine (69%↓), Transit (48%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Hoi An | Penang | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ₫ 53,000$2.02 | RM 11$2.56 | Hoi An −21% |
| Street food1 item | ₫ 24,000$0.91 | RM 5$1.16 | Hoi An −22% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ₫ 260,000$9.89 | RM 39$9.07 | Penang −8% |
| Coffeeone cup | ₫ 42,000$1.6 | RM 11$2.56 | Hoi An −38% |
| Beerone bottle | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | RM 17$3.95 | Hoi An −69% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ₫ 83,000$3.16 | RM 44$10.2 | Hoi An −69% |
| Bottled water | ₫ 7,900$0.3 | RM 1.5$0.35 | Hoi An −14% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ₫ 20,000$0.76 | RM 3.8$0.88 | Hoi An −14% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ₫ 79,000$3 | RM 15$3.49 | Hoi An −14% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ₫ 45,000$1.71 | RM 13$3.02 | Hoi An −43% |
| Transitone ride | ₫ 7,900$0.3 | RM 2.5$0.58 | Hoi An −48% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ₫ 180,000$6.84 | RM 43$10 | Hoi An −32% |
| Hotel night3-star | ₫ 1,200,000$45.6 | RM 170$39.5 | Penang −13% |
| Studio rent (month) | â‚« 10,000,000$380 | RM 1,700$395 | similar |
| Laundry | ₫ 32,000$1.22 | RM 8.5$1.98 | Hoi An −38% |
| SIM card1 week data | ₫ 160,000$6.08 | RM 30$6.98 | Hoi An −13% |
| Haircutcut | ₫ 110,000$4.18 | RM 27$6.28 | Hoi An −33% |
| Massage1 hour | ₫ 300,000$11.4 | RM 77$17.9 | Hoi An −36% |
| Half-day tourper person | ₫ 760,000$28.9 | RM 150$34.9 | Hoi An −17% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ₫ 130,000$4.94 | RM 34$7.91 | Hoi An −37% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Hoi An or Penang?
Hoi An and Penang cost about the same. Daily budget $74.7 vs $71.3; a month $1,423 vs $1,413.
How do monthly costs compare between Hoi An and Penang?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Hoi An is about $1,423 and Penang about $1,413 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.