😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $770 in Changsha versus $707 in Da Nang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,221 in Changsha versus $1,081 in Da Nang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,673 in Changsha versus $1,455 in Da Nang.
😐Living in Changsha is roughly 9% more expensive than Da Nang, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Changsha43% lower, Da Nang47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Changsha
Da Nang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.87¥19.63
$1.94₫50.8K
47.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.69¥142
$19.32₫506.9K
7.09%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.91¥33.62
$4.69₫122.9K
4.69%
Cappuccino
$2.96¥20.26
$1.57₫41.3K
88.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46¥3.16
$0.54₫14.2K
-14.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25¥1.71
$0.29₫7,500
-13.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.09¥7.45
$1.02₫26.7K
6.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86¥12.74
$1.68₫44.0K
10.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Changsha
Da Nang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.93¥13.25
$1.42₫37.2K
35.92%
White Bread(500g)
$2.24¥15.35
$1.00₫26.4K
124.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.91¥6.25
$1.13₫29.5K
-19.47%
Eggs
$1.61¥11.06
$1.42₫37.3K
13.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.92¥109
$12.36₫324.3K
28.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.20¥21.94
$3.79₫99.3K
-15.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89¥60.9
$10.17₫266.8K
-12.59%
Apples(1kg)
$1.84¥12.61
$2.75₫72.3K
-33.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.34¥9.16
$0.93₫24.4K
44.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.78¥12.19
$1.09₫28.5K
63.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.82¥12.43
$1.09₫28.7K
66.97%
Potato(1kg)
$0.89¥6.07
$1.11₫29.1K
-19.82%
Onion(1kg)
$1.46¥9.98
$1.20₫31.6K
21.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.48¥3.26
$1.05₫27.5K
-54.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40¥2.73
$0.48₫12.5K
-16.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.83¥19.38
$1.36₫35.8K
108.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.37¥84.8
$7.55₫198.2K
63.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.89¥6.09
$0.80₫20.9K
11.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43¥9.83
$1.67₫43.7K
-14.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Changsha
Da Nang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37¥2.50
$0.34₫9,004
8.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.21¥97.3
$3.78₫99.1K
275.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.24¥8.49
$0.83₫21.8K
49.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.26¥1.78
$0.70₫18.4K
-62.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.13¥55.7
$11.79₫309.2K
-31.04%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18¥8.10
$0.92₫24.0K
28.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.7K¥142.1K
$27.2K₫713.0M
-23.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.9K¥149.9K
$27.9K₫730.7M
-21.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Changsha
Da Nang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$42.83¥293
$76.4₫2.0M
-43.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.61¥86.4
$5.81₫152.5K
117.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.52¥99.5
$8.47₫222.2K
71.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Changsha
Da Nang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.1¥391
$19.98₫524.2K
185.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.08¥158
$7.68₫201.5K
200.52%
Cinema Ticket
$5.95¥40.75
$3.04₫79.7K
95.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Changsha
Da Nang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$313¥2,144
$156₫4.1M
100.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,239¥49.6K
$12.7K₫332.0M
-42.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Changsha
Da Nang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$84.7¥580
$39.04₫1.0M
116.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.31¥214
$25.36₫665.3K
23.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.1¥563
$52.7₫1.4M
55.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.3¥475
$76.5₫2.0M
-9.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Changsha
Da Nang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$208¥1,424
$354₫9.3M
-41.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$171¥1,170
$247₫6.5M
-30.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506¥3,463
$743₫19.5M
-31.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$366¥2,504
$459₫12.1M
-20.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,503¥17.1K
$3,867₫101.4M
-35.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,325¥9,073
$1,277₫33.5M
3.73%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Changsha
Da Nang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,094¥7,496
$324₫8.5M
237.64%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.89
10.67
-63.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Changsha: April 25, 2026
Last update for Da Nang: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $208 in Changsha and $354 in Da Nang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Changsha pays 238% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $21.00 in Changsha vs $19.00 in Da Nang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $220 vs $188 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
Changsha vs Da Nang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Changsha and Da Nang?
Changsha and Da Nang differ by about 9% in total monthly costs ($770 vs $707 including rent). Da Nang is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Changsha or Da Nang?
Changsha pays 238% more on average, 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 Changsha and Da Nang?
Rent for a central apartment: $208 in Changsha versus $354 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 Da Nang – a meal for two runs $19.00 versus $21.00 in Changsha. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Changsha or Da Nang?
All in, you'll spend $770 per month in Changsha versus $707 in Da Nang – a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Changsha 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 Changsha 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 Changsha or Da Nang safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Changsha 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: Changsha or Da Nang?
Expats usually find Da Nang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Changsha. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.