😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $946 in Cotonou versus $868 in Da Nang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,477 in Cotonou versus $1,419 in Da Nang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,009 in Cotonou versus $1,970 in Da Nang.
🌍Living in Cotonou is roughly 9% more expensive than in Da Nang, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Cotonou31% lower, Da Nang37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.34F CFA 3,052
$2.35₫61.1K
127.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.50F CFA 20.9K
$19.28₫501.2K
89.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.92F CFA 5,668
$4.71₫122.5K
110.62%
Cappuccino
$5.12F CFA 2,927
$1.80₫46.8K
184.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05F CFA 599
$0.69₫18.0K
52.17%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91F CFA 519
$0.32₫8,201
184.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.86F CFA 491
$1.31₫34.0K
-34.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69F CFA 1,538
$2.30₫59.7K
16.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.17F CFA 1,814
$1.50₫38.9K
111.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.28F CFA 731
$1.25₫32.5K
2.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88F CFA 1,074
$1.05₫27.3K
79.05%
Eggs
$2.81F CFA 1,605
$1.52₫39.6K
84.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.66F CFA 5,522
$13.04₫339.0K
-25.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.66F CFA 3,232
$4.05₫105.4K
39.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.19F CFA 2,963
$9.26₫240.7K
-43.95%
Apples(1kg)
$4.32F CFA 2,466
$2.60₫67.5K
66.15%
Banana(1kg)
$1.93F CFA 1,105
$1.10₫28.7K
75.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.34F CFA 764
$1.29₫33.5K
3.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.78F CFA 1,590
$1.40₫36.3K
98.57%
Potato(1kg)
$1.30F CFA 741
$1.13₫29.5K
15.04%
Onion(1kg)
$1.80F CFA 1,031
$1.22₫31.8K
47.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.45F CFA 257
$1.01₫26.3K
-55.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16F CFA 663
$0.52₫13.6K
123.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.44F CFA 1,963
$1.57₫40.7K
119.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.29F CFA 2,451
$7.48₫194.5K
-42.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.22F CFA 695
$0.83₫21.5K
46.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89F CFA 1,079
$2.18₫56.6K
-13.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.36F CFA 776
$0.32₫8,196
325.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$5.04₫131.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38F CFA 788
$1.04₫26.9K
32.69%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.44F CFA 821
$0.62₫16.0K
132.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$19.13₫497.2K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23F CFA 701
$0.83₫21.6K
48.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$30.8K₫799.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.1KF CFA 14.3M
$28.4K₫737.7M
-11.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$151F CFA 86.1K
$88.5₫2.3M
70.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.44F CFA 20.2K
$6.00₫155.9K
490.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.28F CFA 28.2K
$7.95₫206.6K
519.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.48F CFA 28.3K
$22.83₫593.6K
116.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.54F CFA 2,025
$5.41₫140.6K
-34.57%
Cinema Ticket
$8.86F CFA 5,061
$3.13₫81.3K
183.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$137F CFA 78.0K
$163₫4.2M
-16.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,660F CFA 3.2M
$15.3K₫397.1M
-62.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.92F CFA 14.8K
$44.57₫1.2M
-41.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$27.95₫726.6K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$34.87F CFA 19.9K
$100₫2.6M
-65.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.6F CFA 40.3K
$80.2₫2.1M
-11.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$182F CFA 103.9K
$535₫13.9M
-65.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$175F CFA 99.8K
$342₫8.9M
-48.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$614F CFA 351.0K
$1,025₫26.6M
-40.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$429F CFA 245.2K
$787₫20.4M
-45.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,825₫99.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,283₫33.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$261F CFA 149.2K
$360₫9.3M
-27.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
10.72
-62.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cotonou: September 13, 2026
Last update for Da Nang: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $182 in Cotonou and $535 in Da Nang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Da Nang pays 38% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $37.00 in Cotonou vs $19.00 in Da Nang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $230 vs $196 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
Cotonou vs Da Nang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Da Nang cheaper than Cotonou?
Da Nang is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 9% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Cotonou or Da Nang?
On paper, salaries run 38% lower in Da Nang. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Cotonou and Da Nang?
Rent for a central apartment: $182 in Cotonou versus $535 in Da Nang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Cotonou and in Da Nang?
Supermarket bills run roughly 17% higher in Cotonou. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Cotonou and in Da Nang?
All in, you'll spend $946 per month in Cotonou versus $868 in Da Nang – a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,200 enough for either Cotonou or 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.
Is Cotonou or Da Nang more family-friendly?
For families, Da Nang is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Cotonou, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Cotonou or Da Nang?
Safety-wise, Cotonou 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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Da Nang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Cotonou. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.