Cost of Living Comparison Between Balikpapan and Da Nang Cost of Living Comparison Between Balikpapan and Da Nang

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $774 in Balikpapan versus $707 in Da Nang.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,193 in Balikpapan versus $1,081 in Da Nang.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,612 in Balikpapan versus $1,455 in Da Nang.

Living in Balikpapan is roughly 10% more expensive than Da Nang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Balikpapan 42% lower, Da Nang 47% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.52 Rp 26.3K
$1.94 ₫50.9K
-21.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.63 Rp 269.8K
$19.32 ₫507.4K
-19.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.42 Rp 59.0K
$4.69 ₫123.0K
-27.08%
Cappuccino
$1.81 Rp 31.2K
$1.57 ₫41.3K
15.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44 Rp 7,600
$0.54 ₫14.2K
-18.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 Rp 6,692
$0.29 ₫7,507
34.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.03 Rp 35.1K
$1.02 ₫26.8K
99.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 Rp 54.6K
$1.68 ₫44.0K
88.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 Rp 30.9K
$1.42 ₫37.3K
26.06%
White Bread (500g)
$1.23 Rp 21.3K
$1.00 ₫26.4K
23.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.28 Rp 22.0K
$1.13 ₫29.5K
13.27%
Eggs
$2.66 Rp 46.0K
$1.42 ₫37.3K
87.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.92 Rp 136.8K
$12.36 ₫324.6K
-35.92%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.80 Rp 82.9K
$3.79 ₫99.4K
26.65%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.99 Rp 137.9K
$10.17 ₫267.1K
-21.44%
Apples (1kg)
$3.64 Rp 62.8K
$2.75 ₫72.3K
32.36%
Banana (1kg)
$1.50 Rp 25.9K
$0.93 ₫24.4K
61.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.13 Rp 36.8K
$1.09 ₫28.5K
95.41%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.19 Rp 20.6K
$1.09 ₫28.7K
9.17%
Potato (1kg)
$1.86 Rp 32.1K
$1.11 ₫29.1K
67.57%
Onion (1kg)
$3.77 Rp 65.0K
$1.20 ₫31.6K
214.17%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.00 Rp 17.2K
$1.05 ₫27.5K
-4.76%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81 Rp 13.9K
$0.48 ₫12.5K
68.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.06 Rp 35.7K
$1.36 ₫35.8K
51.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$22.43 Rp 387.4K
$7.55 ₫198.4K
197.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 Rp 37.6K
$0.80 ₫20.9K
172.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.38 Rp 75.7K
$1.67 ₫43.8K
162.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.62 Rp 10.7K
$0.34 ₫9,013
82.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.73 Rp 168.1K
$3.78 ₫99.2K
157.41%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.24 Rp 21.5K
$0.83 ₫21.8K
49.40%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.34 Rp 5,912
$0.70 ₫18.5K
-51.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.05 Rp 104.4K
$11.79 ₫309.5K
-48.69%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.78 Rp 13.5K
$0.92 ₫24.0K
-15.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K Rp 424.3M
$27.2K ₫713.7M
-9.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K Rp 447.2M
$27.9K ₫731.4M
-7.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$91.7 Rp 1.6M
$76.4 ₫2.0M
20.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.06 Rp 52.8K
$5.81 ₫152.7K
-47.33%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.34 Rp 558.4K
$8.47 ₫222.5K
281.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.34 Rp 368.4K
$19.98 ₫524.7K
6.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.26 Rp 108.0K
$7.68 ₫201.7K
-18.49%
Cinema Ticket
$3.00 Rp 51.7K
$3.04 ₫79.8K
-1.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$60.9 Rp 1.1M
$156 ₫4.1M
-60.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,667 Rp 132.4M
$12.7K ₫332.3M
-39.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.90 Rp 723.4K
$39.04 ₫1.0M
7.33%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.46 Rp 353.2K
$25.36 ₫666.0K
-19.32%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$125 Rp 2.2M
$52.7 ₫1.4M
137.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121 Rp 2.1M
$76.5 ₫2.0M
58.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$217 Rp 3.7M
$354 ₫9.3M
-38.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$156 Rp 2.7M
$247 ₫6.5M
-36.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$497 Rp 8.6M
$743 ₫19.5M
-33.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$303 Rp 5.2M
$459 ₫12.1M
-33.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,193 Rp 20.6M
$3,867 ₫101.5M
-69.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$876 Rp 15.1M
$1,277 ₫33.5M
-31.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$204 Rp 3.5M
$324 ₫8.5M
-36.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
15
10.67
40.58%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Balikpapan: April 27, 2026

Last update for Da Nang: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $217 in Balikpapan and $354 in Da Nang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Da Nang pays 59% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $16.00 in Balikpapan vs $19.00 in Da Nang. Groceries flip the comparison at $251 vs $188, with Da Nang cheaper for home cooking.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Balikpapan vs Da Nang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Balikpapan and Da Nang?
Balikpapan and Da Nang differ by about 10% in total monthly costs ($774 vs $707 including rent). Da Nang is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Da Nang earns 59% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Balikpapan and Da Nang?
Rent for a central apartment: $217 in Balikpapan versus $354 in Da Nang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Balikpapan and Da Nang?
A monthly transit pass in Da Nang runs roughly 157% less than in Balikpapan. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Balikpapan and Da Nang?
Childcare runs $60.9 in Balikpapan versus $156 in Da Nang. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How far does $1,200 go in Balikpapan vs Da Nang?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Da Nang gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Balikpapan and Da Nang?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Balikpapan or Da Nang safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Balikpapan and Da Nang are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Balikpapan or Da Nang?
Expats usually find Da Nang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 10% less than in Balikpapan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Balikpapan vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities