🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $704 in Da Nang versus $2,237 in Arendal.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,081 in Da Nang versus $3,331 in Arendal.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,458 in Da Nang versus $4,425 in Arendal.
🌍Living in Da Nang costs roughly 69% less than in Arendal, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Da Nang is 47% below, Arendal is 67% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Arendal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.93₫50.8K
$17.94NOK 173
-89.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.46₫511.6K
$74.4NOK 718
-73.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.65₫122.2K
$14.88NOK 143
-68.75%
Cappuccino
$1.61₫42.3K
$5.08NOK 48.98
-68.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51₫13.4K
$3.21NOK 31.00
-84.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₫7,592
$3.07NOK 29.60
-90.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.07₫28.2K
$11.20NOK 108
-90.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59₫41.7K
$10.23NOK 98.7
-84.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Arendal
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38₫36.3K
$2.33NOK 22.47
-40.77%
White Bread(500g)
$0.95₫24.9K
$3.06NOK 29.54
-68.95%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.17₫30.7K
$3.53NOK 34.08
-66.86%
Eggs
$1.43₫37.5K
$4.37NOK 42.10
-67.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.59₫331.0K
$12.84NOK 124
-1.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.64₫95.8K
$15.79NOK 152
-76.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.79₫257.3K
$27.39NOK 264
-64.26%
Apples(1kg)
$2.76₫72.4K
$3.39NOK 32.66
-18.58%
Banana(1kg)
$0.94₫24.8K
$2.62NOK 25.27
-64.12%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.12₫29.4K
$3.08NOK 29.72
-63.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.05₫27.6K
$4.59NOK 44.31
-77.12%
Potato(1kg)
$1.10₫28.9K
$2.14NOK 20.60
-48.60%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19₫31.4K
$2.99NOK 28.83
-60.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.00₫26.3K
$2.56NOK 24.68
-60.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48₫12.7K
$1.76NOK 16.98
-72.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.38₫36.3K
$15.33NOK 148
-91.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.52₫197.8K
$16.97NOK 164
-55.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.81₫21.4K
$3.34NOK 32.20
-75.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60₫42.1K
$3.99NOK 38.48
-59.90%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Arendal
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32₫8,321
$3.83NOK 36.97
-91.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$3.73₫98.2K
$105NOK 1,011
-96.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.82₫21.5K
$7.94NOK 76.6
-89.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₫18.3K
$2.10NOK 20.21
-67.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.03₫316.4K
$30.41NOK 293
-60.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91₫24.0K
$2.05NOK 19.80
-55.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2K₫715.2M
$34.5KNOK 333.0K
-21.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1K₫739.3M
$32.4KNOK 312.5K
-13.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Arendal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.1₫1.9M
$193NOK 1,863
-61.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.97₫157.0K
$35.70NOK 344
-83.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.07₫212.3K
$73.7NOK 711
-89.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Arendal
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.06₫527.5K
$44.57NOK 430
-54.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.52₫197.6K
$52.6NOK 507
-85.71%
Cinema Ticket
$3.00₫78.9K
$12.25NOK 118
-75.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Arendal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$153₫4.0M
$308NOK 2,968
-50.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.8K₫336.9M
$9,980NOK 96.2K
28.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Arendal
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.61₫1.0M
$95.2NOK 918
-58.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.60₫673.1K
$58.8NOK 567
-56.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$52.7₫1.4M
$104NOK 1,003
-49.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.9₫2.0M
$162NOK 1,561
-52.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Arendal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$365₫9.6M
$1,076NOK 10.4K
-66.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$244₫6.4M
$718NOK 6,920
-66.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$732₫19.2M
$1,314NOK 12.7K
-44.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$458₫12.0M
$1,141NOK 11.0K
-59.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,767₫99.0M
$3,056NOK 29.5K
23.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,304₫34.3M
$2,066NOK 19.9K
-36.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Arendal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$359₫9.4M
$4,050NOK 39.1K
-91.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.67
3.6
196.39%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Da Nang: July 14, 2026
Last update for Arendal: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $365 in Da Nang and $1,076 in Arendal. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Arendal pays 1028% 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: $19.00 in Da Nang vs $74.0 in Arendal for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $186 vs $456 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
Da Nang vs Arendal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Da Nang and in Arendal?
Da Nang and Arendal differ by about 218% in total monthly costs ($704 vs $2,237 including rent). Da Nang is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 1028% lower in Arendal. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Da Nang and in Arendal?
Rent for a central apartment: $365 in Da Nang versus $1,076 in Arendal. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Da Nang and Arendal?
Childcare runs $153 in Da Nang versus $308 in Arendal. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 145% higher in Arendal. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $704 in Da Nang versus $2,237 in Arendal, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Da Nang but tight or insufficient in Arendal. The gap between the two cities makes Da Nang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Da Nang and Arendal?
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 Da Nang or Arendal safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Da Nang and Arendal 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: Da Nang or Arendal?
Expats usually find Da Nang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 218% less than in Arendal. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.