🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $707 in Da Nang versus $774 in Balikpapan.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,081 in Da Nang versus $1,193 in Balikpapan.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,455 in Da Nang versus $1,612 in Balikpapan.
🙂Living in Da Nang costs roughly 9% less than in Balikpapan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Da Nang47% lower, Balikpapan42% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94₫50.8K
$1.52Rp 26.4K
27.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.32₫506.9K
$15.63Rp 270.8K
23.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.69₫122.9K
$3.42Rp 59.3K
37.13%
Cappuccino
$1.57₫41.3K
$1.81Rp 31.4K
-13.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54₫14.2K
$0.44Rp 7,629
22.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₫7,500
$0.39Rp 6,718
-25.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.02₫26.7K
$2.03Rp 35.2K
-49.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68₫44.0K
$3.16Rp 54.8K
-46.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42₫37.2K
$1.79Rp 31.0K
-20.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.00₫26.4K
$1.23Rp 21.4K
-18.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.13₫29.5K
$1.28Rp 22.1K
-11.72%
Eggs
$1.42₫37.3K
$2.66Rp 46.1K
-46.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.36₫324.3K
$7.92Rp 137.3K
56.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.79₫99.3K
$4.80Rp 83.2K
-21.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.17₫266.8K
$7.99Rp 138.5K
27.28%
Apples(1kg)
$2.75₫72.3K
$3.64Rp 63.1K
-24.45%
Banana(1kg)
$0.93₫24.4K
$1.50Rp 26.0K
-38.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.09₫28.5K
$2.13Rp 36.9K
-48.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.09₫28.7K
$1.19Rp 20.7K
-8.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.11₫29.1K
$1.86Rp 32.2K
-40.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.20₫31.6K
$3.77Rp 65.3K
-68.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.05₫27.5K
$1.00Rp 17.3K
5.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48₫12.5K
$0.81Rp 14.0K
-40.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.36₫35.8K
$2.06Rp 35.8K
-33.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.55₫198.2K
$22.43Rp 388.8K
-66.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.80₫20.9K
$2.18Rp 37.7K
-63.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67₫43.7K
$4.38Rp 76.0K
-61.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34₫9,004
$0.62Rp 10.8K
-45.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$3.78₫99.1K
$9.73Rp 168.7K
-61.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.83₫21.8K
$1.24Rp 21.6K
-33.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70₫18.4K
$0.34Rp 5,934
105.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.79₫309.2K
$6.05Rp 104.8K
94.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.92₫24.0K
$0.78Rp 13.5K
17.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2K₫713.0M
$24.6KRp 425.9M
10.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K₫730.7M
$25.9KRp 448.9M
7.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$76.4₫2.0M
$91.7Rp 1.6M
-16.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.81₫152.5K
$3.06Rp 53.0K
89.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.47₫222.2K
$32.34Rp 560.5K
-73.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$19.98₫524.2K
$21.34Rp 369.8K
-6.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.68₫201.5K
$6.26Rp 108.4K
22.68%
Cinema Ticket
$3.04₫79.7K
$3.00Rp 51.9K
1.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$156₫4.1M
$60.9Rp 1.1M
155.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.7K₫332.0M
$7,667Rp 132.9M
65.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.04₫1.0M
$41.90Rp 726.2K
-6.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.36₫665.3K
$20.46Rp 354.6K
23.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$52.7₫1.4M
$125Rp 2.2M
-57.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.5₫2.0M
$121Rp 2.1M
-36.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$354₫9.3M
$217Rp 3.8M
63.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$247₫6.5M
$156Rp 2.7M
58.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$743₫19.5M
$497Rp 8.6M
49.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$459₫12.1M
$303Rp 5.3M
51.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,867₫101.4M
$1,193Rp 20.7M
224.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,277₫33.5M
$876Rp 15.2M
45.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$324₫8.5M
$204Rp 3.5M
58.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.67
15
-28.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Da Nang: April 27, 2026
Last update for Balikpapan: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $354 in Da Nang and $217 in Balikpapan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Da Nang pays 59% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $19.00 in Da Nang vs $16.00 in Balikpapan. Groceries flip the comparison at $188 vs $251, with Da Nang cheaper for home cooking.
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 Balikpapan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Da Nang and Balikpapan?
Da Nang and Balikpapan differ by about 10% in total monthly costs ($707 vs $774 including rent). Da Nang is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Da Nang or Balikpapan?
Da Nang pays 59% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Da Nang and Balikpapan?
Rent for a central apartment: $354 in Da Nang versus $217 in Balikpapan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Da Nang and Balikpapan?
A monthly transit pass in Da Nang runs roughly 157% less than in Balikpapan. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Da Nang and Balikpapan?
Childcare runs $156 in Da Nang versus $60.9 in Balikpapan. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How far does $1,200 go in Da Nang vs Balikpapan?
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.
How does quality of life compare between Da Nang and Balikpapan?
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 Balikpapan safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Da Nang and Balikpapan 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 Balikpapan?
Expats usually find Da Nang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 10% less than in Balikpapan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.