🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $655 in Bukit Mertajam versus $704 in Da Nang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,225 in Bukit Mertajam versus $1,081 in Da Nang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,794 in Bukit Mertajam versus $1,458 in Da Nang.
🌍Living in Bukit Mertajam costs roughly 7% less than in Da Nang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bukit Mertajam51% lower, Da Nang47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bukit Mertajam
Da Nang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.87MYR 7.63
$1.93₫50.8K
-3.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.80MYR 81.0
$19.46₫511.6K
1.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.80MYR 15.54
$4.65₫122.2K
-18.28%
Cappuccino
$2.24MYR 9.16
$1.61₫42.3K
39.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69MYR 2.84
$0.51₫13.4K
35.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36MYR 1.49
$0.29₫7,592
24.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.12MYR 12.77
$1.07₫28.2K
191.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.81MYR 19.66
$1.59₫41.7K
202.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bukit Mertajam
Da Nang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.61MYR 6.61
$1.38₫36.3K
16.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.13MYR 4.63
$0.95₫24.9K
18.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.61MYR 2.49
$1.17₫30.7K
-47.86%
Eggs
$1.91MYR 7.82
$1.43₫37.5K
33.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$21.95MYR 89.8
$12.59₫331.0K
74.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.98MYR 20.36
$3.64₫95.8K
36.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.65MYR 43.57
$9.79₫257.3K
8.78%
Apples(1kg)
$3.89MYR 15.92
$2.76₫72.4K
40.94%
Banana(1kg)
$1.78MYR 7.27
$0.94₫24.8K
89.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.33MYR 13.63
$1.12₫29.4K
197.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.52MYR 10.32
$1.05₫27.6K
140.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.75MYR 7.17
$1.10₫28.9K
59.09%
Onion(1kg)
$1.04MYR 4.23
$1.19₫31.4K
-12.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08MYR 4.40
$1.00₫26.3K
8.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34MYR 1.39
$0.48₫12.7K
-29.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.30MYR 17.60
$1.38₫36.3K
211.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.15MYR 78.3
$7.52₫197.8K
154.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.38MYR 17.93
$0.81₫21.4K
440.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60MYR 10.65
$1.60₫42.1K
62.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Bukit Mertajam
Da Nang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.69MYR 2.82
$0.32₫8,321
115.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.71MYR 47.90
$3.73₫98.2K
213.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.19MYR 4.89
$0.82₫21.5K
45.12%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.14MYR 4.65
$0.69₫18.3K
65.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.42MYR 18.06
$12.03₫316.4K
-63.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.46MYR 1.88
$0.91₫24.0K
-49.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.4KMYR 177.5K
$27.2K₫715.2M
59.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8KMYR 130.1K
$28.1K₫739.3M
13.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bukit Mertajam
Da Nang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$27.01MYR 110
$74.1₫1.9M
-63.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.95MYR 40.71
$5.97₫157.0K
66.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.88MYR 118
$8.07₫212.3K
257.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bukit Mertajam
Da Nang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.45MYR 153
$20.06₫527.5K
86.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.95MYR 24.35
$7.52₫197.6K
-20.88%
Cinema Ticket
$4.19MYR 17.16
$3.00₫78.9K
39.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bukit Mertajam
Da Nang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$116MYR 474
$153₫4.0M
-24.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,297MYR 17.6K
$12.8K₫336.9M
-66.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bukit Mertajam
Da Nang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.84MYR 48.44
$39.61₫1.0M
-70.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.0MYR 262
$25.60₫673.1K
149.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$23.39MYR 95.7
$52.7₫1.4M
-55.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.2MYR 320
$76.9₫2.0M
1.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bukit Mertajam
Da Nang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$387MYR 1,584
$365₫9.6M
6.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$57.9MYR 237
$244₫6.4M
-76.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$649MYR 2,655
$732₫19.2M
-11.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$478MYR 1,956
$458₫12.0M
4.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,767₫99.0M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,304₫34.3M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bukit Mertajam
Da Nang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$554MYR 2,265
$359₫9.4M
54.23%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.96
10.67
-62.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bukit Mertajam: July 14, 2026
Last update for Da Nang: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $387 in Bukit Mertajam and $365 in Da Nang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bukit Mertajam pays 54% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $20.00 in Bukit Mertajam vs $19.00 in Da Nang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $297 vs $186 per month, with Da Nang cheaper across the board.
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
Bukit Mertajam vs Da Nang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bukit Mertajam and in Da Nang?
Bukit Mertajam and Da Nang differ by about 7% in total monthly costs ($655 vs $704 including rent). Bukit Mertajam is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Bukit Mertajam or Da Nang?
Average pay runs 54% higher in Bukit Mertajam, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Bukit Mertajam and in Da Nang?
Rent for a central apartment: $387 in Bukit Mertajam versus $365 in Da Nang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Bukit Mertajam – a meal for two runs $20.00 versus $19.00 in Da Nang. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bukit Mertajam or Da Nang?
All in, you'll spend $655 per month in Bukit Mertajam versus $704 in Da Nang – a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $655 in Bukit Mertajam versus $704 in Da Nang, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bukit Mertajam but tight or insufficient in Da Nang. The gap between the two cities makes Bukit Mertajam the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bukit Mertajam 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 Bukit Mertajam or Da Nang safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bukit Mertajam 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: Bukit Mertajam or Da Nang?
Expats usually find Bukit Mertajam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Da Nang. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Bukit Mertajam vs other spots: cost of living compared