😐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: Balikpapan42% lower, Da Nang47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.52Rp 26.3K
$1.94₫50.9K
-21.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.63Rp 269.8K
$19.32₫507.4K
-19.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.42Rp 59.0K
$4.69₫123.0K
-27.08%
Cappuccino
$1.81Rp 31.2K
$1.57₫41.3K
15.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44Rp 7,600
$0.54₫14.2K
-18.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39Rp 6,692
$0.29₫7,507
34.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.03Rp 35.1K
$1.02₫26.8K
99.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16Rp 54.6K
$1.68₫44.0K
88.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79Rp 30.9K
$1.42₫37.3K
26.06%
White Bread(500g)
$1.23Rp 21.3K
$1.00₫26.4K
23.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.28Rp 22.0K
$1.13₫29.5K
13.27%
Eggs
$2.66Rp 46.0K
$1.42₫37.3K
87.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.92Rp 136.8K
$12.36₫324.6K
-35.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.80Rp 82.9K
$3.79₫99.4K
26.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.99Rp 137.9K
$10.17₫267.1K
-21.44%
Apples(1kg)
$3.64Rp 62.8K
$2.75₫72.3K
32.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50Rp 25.9K
$0.93₫24.4K
61.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.13Rp 36.8K
$1.09₫28.5K
95.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.19Rp 20.6K
$1.09₫28.7K
9.17%
Potato(1kg)
$1.86Rp 32.1K
$1.11₫29.1K
67.57%
Onion(1kg)
$3.77Rp 65.0K
$1.20₫31.6K
214.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.00Rp 17.2K
$1.05₫27.5K
-4.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81Rp 13.9K
$0.48₫12.5K
68.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.06Rp 35.7K
$1.36₫35.8K
51.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.43Rp 387.4K
$7.55₫198.4K
197.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.18Rp 37.6K
$0.80₫20.9K
172.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.38Rp 75.7K
$1.67₫43.8K
162.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.62Rp 10.7K
$0.34₫9,013
82.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.73Rp 168.1K
$3.78₫99.2K
157.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.24Rp 21.5K
$0.83₫21.8K
49.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34Rp 5,912
$0.70₫18.5K
-51.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.05Rp 104.4K
$11.79₫309.5K
-48.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 13.5K
$0.92₫24.0K
-15.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6KRp 424.3M
$27.2K₫713.7M
-9.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9KRp 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)
$91.7Rp 1.6M
$76.4₫2.0M
20.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.06Rp 52.8K
$5.81₫152.7K
-47.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.34Rp 558.4K
$8.47₫222.5K
281.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.34Rp 368.4K
$19.98₫524.7K
6.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.26Rp 108.0K
$7.68₫201.7K
-18.49%
Cinema Ticket
$3.00Rp 51.7K
$3.04₫79.8K
-1.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$60.9Rp 1.1M
$156₫4.1M
-60.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,667Rp 132.4M
$12.7K₫332.3M
-39.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.90Rp 723.4K
$39.04₫1.0M
7.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.46Rp 353.2K
$25.36₫666.0K
-19.32%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$125Rp 2.2M
$52.7₫1.4M
137.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121Rp 2.1M
$76.5₫2.0M
58.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$217Rp 3.7M
$354₫9.3M
-38.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.7M
$247₫6.5M
-36.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$497Rp 8.6M
$743₫19.5M
-33.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$303Rp 5.2M
$459₫12.1M
-33.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,193Rp 20.6M
$3,867₫101.5M
-69.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$876Rp 15.1M
$1,277₫33.5M
-31.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Balikpapan
Da Nang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$204Rp 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