😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $712 in Da Nang versus $530 in Badulla.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,080 in Da Nang versus $845 in Badulla.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,448 in Da Nang versus $1,159 in Badulla.
🌍Living in Da Nang is roughly 34% more expensive than in Badulla, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Da Nang47% lower, Badulla60% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Badulla
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.87₫49.2K
$4.12LKR 1,384
-54.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.84₫495.2K
$24.75LKR 8,304
-23.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.60₫121.0K
$8.61LKR 2,888
-46.57%
Cappuccino
$1.57₫41.2K
$2.74LKR 919
-42.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50₫13.3K
$0.69LKR 232
-27.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₫7,549
$0.41LKR 137
-29.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.08₫28.3K
$2.38LKR 799
-54.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61₫42.4K
$3.31LKR 1,112
-51.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Badulla
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44₫37.8K
$1.62LKR 542
-11.11%
White Bread(500g)
$0.96₫25.3K
$0.53LKR 177
81.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.13₫29.6K
$0.68LKR 228
66.18%
Eggs
$1.48₫38.8K
$2.19LKR 734
-32.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.58₫330.7K
$13.97LKR 4,687
-9.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.77₫99.1K
$3.98LKR 1,337
-5.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.74₫256.2K
$8.24LKR 2,764
18.20%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60₫68.3K
$7.30LKR 2,449
-64.38%
Banana(1kg)
$0.92₫24.2K
$1.06LKR 355
-13.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.08₫28.3K
$5.91LKR 1,984
-81.73%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.06₫27.8K
$1.24LKR 417
-14.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.10₫28.9K
$1.16LKR 390
-5.17%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17₫30.7K
$1.37LKR 459
-14.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01₫26.5K
$1.16LKR 388
-12.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52₫13.7K
$0.56LKR 190
-7.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.32₫34.6K
$9.91LKR 3,324
-86.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.74₫203.4K
$12.40LKR 4,159
-37.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86₫22.5K
$2.11LKR 707
-59.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64₫43.1K
$2.93LKR 983
-44.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Badulla
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35₫9,085
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$3.78₫99.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.88₫23.1K
$0.42LKR 140
109.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70₫18.5K
$0.36LKR 119
94.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.01₫315.8K
$0.62LKR 207
1837.10%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84₫22.1K
$1.21LKR 407
-30.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3K₫691.6M
$26.4KLKR 8.8M
-0.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K₫734.5M
$34.9KLKR 11.7M
-19.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Badulla
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$75.9₫2.0M
$60.6LKR 20.3K
25.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.93₫155.9K
$4.35LKR 1,460
36.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.34₫219.3K
$15.30LKR 5,132
-45.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Badulla
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.32₫534.3K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.82₫205.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.16₫83.1K
$3.41LKR 1,145
-7.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Badulla
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$156₫4.1M
$37.15LKR 12.5K
320.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.0K₫341.6M
$443LKR 148.6K
2834.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Badulla
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.50₫1.0M
$27.18LKR 9,121
45.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.70₫675.6K
$19.29LKR 6,471
33.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$52.3₫1.4M
$68.5LKR 23.0K
-23.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.1₫2.0M
$38.49LKR 12.9K
97.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Badulla
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$362₫9.5M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246₫6.5M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$732₫19.3M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₫12.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,881₫102.0M
$4,451LKR 1.5M
-12.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,304₫34.3M
$755LKR 253.2K
72.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Badulla
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$347₫9.1M
$222LKR 74.6K
56.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.67
12
-11.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Da Nang: July 26, 2026
Last update for Badulla: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Da Nang pays 56% 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 $25.00 in Badulla for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $187 vs $251 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 Badulla: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Badulla cheaper than Da Nang?
Badulla is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 34% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Da Nang or Badulla?
Average pay runs 56% higher in Da Nang, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $156 in Da Nang versus $37.15 in Badulla. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Da Nang or in Badulla?
Dining out is cheaper in Badulla – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $19.00 in Da Nang. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 enough for either Da Nang or Badulla?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Badulla gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Da Nang or Badulla more family-friendly?
For families, Badulla is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Da Nang, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Da Nang or Badulla?
Safety-wise, Da Nang and Badulla 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 Badulla gentler on the wallet – expenses run 34% less than in Da Nang. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.