😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $997 in Cotonou versus $712 in Da Nang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,426 in Cotonou versus $1,080 in Da Nang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,854 in Cotonou versus $1,448 in Da Nang.
🌍Living in Cotonou is roughly 40% more expensive than in Da Nang, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Cotonou25% lower, Da Nang47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.46F CFA 1,967
$1.87₫49.2K
85.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.77F CFA 15.2K
$18.84₫495.2K
42.09%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.16F CFA 2,927
$4.60₫121.0K
12.17%
Cappuccino
$5.56F CFA 3,154
$1.57₫41.2K
254.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86F CFA 488
$0.50₫13.3K
72.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79F CFA 446
$0.29₫7,549
172.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.40F CFA 794
$1.08₫28.3K
29.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61F CFA 2,047
$1.61₫42.4K
124.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.58F CFA 1,462
$1.44₫37.8K
79.17%
White Bread(500g)
$1.44F CFA 815
$0.96₫25.3K
50.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.92F CFA 1,092
$1.13₫29.6K
69.91%
Eggs
$2.22F CFA 1,263
$1.48₫38.8K
50.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.25F CFA 5,253
$12.58₫330.7K
-26.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.05F CFA 2,869
$3.77₫99.1K
33.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.16F CFA 2,929
$9.74₫256.2K
-47.02%
Apples(1kg)
$3.88F CFA 2,202
$2.60₫68.3K
49.23%
Banana(1kg)
$1.37F CFA 779
$0.92₫24.2K
48.91%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.21F CFA 689
$1.08₫28.3K
12.04%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.74F CFA 988
$1.06₫27.8K
64.15%
Potato(1kg)
$1.34F CFA 761
$1.10₫28.9K
21.82%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50F CFA 853
$1.17₫30.7K
28.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.51F CFA 291
$1.01₫26.5K
-49.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.23F CFA 700
$0.52₫13.7K
136.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.35F CFA 1,332
$1.32₫34.6K
78.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.28F CFA 2,430
$7.74₫203.4K
-44.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20F CFA 681
$0.86₫22.5K
39.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29F CFA 1,301
$1.64₫43.1K
39.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.80F CFA 1,023
$0.35₫9,085
414.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$3.78₫99.3K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38F CFA 784
$0.88₫23.1K
56.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.25F CFA 707
$0.70₫18.5K
78.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.74F CFA 988
$12.01₫315.8K
-85.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.11F CFA 631
$0.84₫22.1K
32.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$26.3K₫691.6M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9KF CFA 14.1M
$27.9K₫734.5M
-10.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$266F CFA 151.1K
$75.9₫2.0M
250.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$43.54F CFA 24.7K
$5.93₫155.9K
634.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.1F CFA 31.8K
$8.34₫219.3K
572.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.8F CFA 33.4K
$20.32₫534.3K
189.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.40F CFA 3,066
$7.82₫205.7K
-30.95%
Cinema Ticket
$7.51F CFA 4,266
$3.16₫83.1K
137.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$185F CFA 104.8K
$156₫4.1M
18.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,379F CFA 3.6M
$13.0K₫341.6M
-50.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.45F CFA 9,907
$39.50₫1.0M
-55.82%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.70F CFA 4,939
$25.70₫675.6K
-66.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$9.04F CFA 5,134
$52.3₫1.4M
-82.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.16F CFA 27.9K
$76.1₫2.0M
-35.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$199F CFA 113.0K
$362₫9.5M
-45.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$149F CFA 84.6K
$246₫6.5M
-39.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$571F CFA 324.3K
$732₫19.3M
-22.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$283F CFA 160.6K
$456₫12.0M
-37.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,881₫102.0M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,304₫34.3M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cotonou
Da Nang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$171F CFA 97.3K
$347₫9.1M
-50.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
10.67
-53.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cotonou: July 27, 2026
Last update for Da Nang: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $199 in Cotonou and $362 in Da Nang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Da Nang pays 102% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $27.00 in Cotonou vs $19.00 in Da Nang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $209 vs $187 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 40% 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 102% 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: $199 in Cotonou versus $362 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 12% 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 $997 per month in Cotonou versus $712 in Da Nang – a 40% 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 40% less than in Cotonou. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.