😐A single person spends $707 per month in Da Nang vs $647 in Alor Setar, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,081 per month in Da Nang vs $1,003 in Alor Setar, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,455 per month in Da Nang vs $1,360 in Alor Setar, rent included.
😐Da Nang costs about 9% more than Alor Setar, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Da Nang and Alor Setar are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang47% lower, Alor Setar52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Alor Setar
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94₫50.8K
$2.41MYR 9.50
-19.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.32₫506.9K
$11.59MYR 45.78
66.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.69₫122.9K
$4.18MYR 16.50
12.20%
Cappuccino
$1.57₫41.3K
$1.68MYR 6.65
-6.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54₫14.2K
$0.55MYR 2.17
-1.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₫7,500
$0.29MYR 1.15
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.02₫26.7K
$3.50MYR 13.81
-70.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68₫44.0K
$2.34MYR 9.22
-28.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Alor Setar
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42₫37.2K
$1.63MYR 6.43
-12.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.00₫26.4K
$0.88MYR 3.46
13.64%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.13₫29.5K
$1.16MYR 4.60
-2.59%
Eggs
$1.42₫37.3K
$1.46MYR 5.78
-2.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.36₫324.3K
$11.95MYR 47.22
3.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.79₫99.3K
$2.98MYR 11.77
27.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.17₫266.8K
$8.14MYR 32.14
24.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.75₫72.3K
$2.84MYR 11.24
-3.17%
Banana(1kg)
$0.93₫24.4K
$1.03MYR 4.07
-9.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.09₫28.5K
$1.38MYR 5.46
-21.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.09₫28.7K
$2.17MYR 8.56
-49.77%
Potato(1kg)
$1.11₫29.1K
$0.96MYR 3.77
15.63%
Onion(1kg)
$1.20₫31.6K
$0.50MYR 1.97
140.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.05₫27.5K
$0.68MYR 2.67
54.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48₫12.5K
$0.49MYR 1.93
-2.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.36₫35.8K
$2.81MYR 11.11
-51.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.55₫198.2K
$8.70MYR 34.38
-13.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₫20.9K
$1.20MYR 4.72
-33.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67₫43.7K
$2.06MYR 8.13
-18.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Alor Setar
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34₫9,004
$0.69MYR 2.71
-50.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$3.78₫99.1K
$11.86MYR 46.85
-68.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.83₫21.8K
$0.69MYR 2.74
20.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70₫18.4K
$0.51MYR 2.01
37.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.79₫309.2K
$7.24MYR 28.60
62.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.92₫24.0K
$0.47MYR 1.84
95.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2K₫713.0M
$33.5KMYR 132.4K
-18.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K₫730.7M
$27.3KMYR 108.0K
1.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Alor Setar
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$76.4₫2.0M
$37.96MYR 150
101.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.81₫152.5K
$6.91MYR 27.29
-15.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.47₫222.2K
$27.40MYR 108
-69.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Alor Setar
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$19.98₫524.2K
$36.79MYR 145
-45.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.68₫201.5K
$9.41MYR 37.17
-18.38%
Cinema Ticket
$3.04₫79.7K
$2.81MYR 11.10
8.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Alor Setar
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$156₫4.1M
$80.9MYR 319
92.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.7K₫332.0M
$5,317MYR 21.0K
137.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Alor Setar
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.04₫1.0M
$47.55MYR 188
-17.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.36₫665.3K
$29.19MYR 115
-13.12%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$52.7₫1.4M
$61.8MYR 244
-14.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.5₫2.0M
$52.8MYR 209
44.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Alor Setar
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$354₫9.3M
$292MYR 1,153
21.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$247₫6.5M
$174MYR 687
42.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$743₫19.5M
$443MYR 1,752
67.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$459₫12.1M
$336MYR 1,327
36.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,867₫101.4M
$2,034MYR 8,035
90.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,277₫33.5M
$967MYR 3,819
32.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Alor Setar
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$324₫8.5M
$1,133MYR 4,477
-71.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.67
4.16
156.49%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Da Nang: April 27, 2026
Last update for Alor Setar: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $354 in Da Nang versus $292 in Alor Setar. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 250% higher in Alor Setar, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Da Nang versus $12.00 in Alor Setar. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $187 – making Alor Setar the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Da Nang vs Alor Setar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Da Nang or Alor Setar?
Da Nang costs about 9% more than Alor Setar, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Da Nang vs Alor Setar?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,060 per month in Da Nang and $970 in Alor Setar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Da Nang or Alor Setar?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Alor Setar, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Da Nang and Alor Setar?
Kindergarten costs $156 per month in Da Nang and $80.9 in Alor Setar. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Da Nang or Alor Setar?
Groceries cost about 0% more in Da Nang, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $800/month in Da Nang or Alor Setar?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $707 in Da Nang and $647 in Alor Setar, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Da Nang or Alor Setar?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Alor Setar costs $647 versus $707 in Da Nang. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Da Nang compared to Alor Setar?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Da Nang or Alor Setar?
If budget matters most, go with Alor Setar. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Da Nang makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.