Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Balikpapan Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Balikpapan

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $712 in Da Nang versus $787 in Balikpapan.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,080 in Da Nang versus $1,194 in Balikpapan.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,448 in Da Nang versus $1,600 in Balikpapan.

Living in Da Nang costs roughly 10% less than in Balikpapan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Da Nang 47% lower, Balikpapan 41% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.87 ₫49.2K
$1.58 Rp 28.5K
18.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.84 ₫495.2K
$15.12 Rp 273.0K
24.60%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.60 ₫121.0K
$3.32 Rp 59.9K
38.55%
Cappuccino
$1.57 ₫41.2K
$1.79 Rp 32.3K
-12.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 ₫13.3K
$0.41 Rp 7,361
21.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ₫7,549
$0.38 Rp 6,938
-23.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.08 ₫28.3K
$1.95 Rp 35.1K
-44.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61 ₫42.4K
$3.09 Rp 55.8K
-47.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.44 ₫37.8K
$1.89 Rp 34.1K
-23.81%
White Bread (500g)
$0.96 ₫25.3K
$1.22 Rp 22.1K
-21.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.13 ₫29.6K
$1.31 Rp 23.7K
-13.74%
Eggs
$1.48 ₫38.8K
$2.67 Rp 48.2K
-44.57%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.58 ₫330.7K
$8.25 Rp 149.0K
52.48%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.77 ₫99.1K
$5.01 Rp 90.4K
-24.75%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.74 ₫256.2K
$7.72 Rp 139.3K
26.17%
Apples (1kg)
$2.60 ₫68.3K
$3.76 Rp 67.8K
-30.85%
Banana (1kg)
$0.92 ₫24.2K
$1.51 Rp 27.2K
-39.07%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.08 ₫28.3K
$2.12 Rp 38.3K
-49.06%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.06 ₫27.8K
$1.26 Rp 22.8K
-15.87%
Potato (1kg)
$1.10 ₫28.9K
$1.79 Rp 32.3K
-38.55%
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 ₫30.7K
$3.74 Rp 67.6K
-68.72%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 ₫26.5K
$0.93 Rp 16.7K
8.60%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ₫13.7K
$0.79 Rp 14.3K
-34.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.32 ₫34.6K
$2.01 Rp 36.4K
-34.33%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.74 ₫203.4K
$20.19 Rp 364.5K
-61.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86 ₫22.5K
$2.18 Rp 39.3K
-60.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64 ₫43.1K
$4.38 Rp 79.1K
-62.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.35 ₫9,085
$0.58 Rp 10.5K
-39.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$3.78 ₫99.3K
$10.12 Rp 182.7K
-62.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.88 ₫23.1K
$1.21 Rp 21.8K
-27.27%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.70 ₫18.5K
$0.37 Rp 6,708
89.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.01 ₫315.8K
$6.07 Rp 109.5K
97.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 ₫22.1K
$0.73 Rp 13.2K
15.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3K ₫691.6M
$24.5K Rp 443.0M
7.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K ₫734.5M
$25.5K Rp 460.1M
9.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$75.9 ₫2.0M
$93.1 Rp 1.7M
-18.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.93 ₫155.9K
$3.12 Rp 56.4K
90.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.34 ₫219.3K
$32.41 Rp 585.2K
-74.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$20.32 ₫534.3K
$21.16 Rp 382.0K
-3.97%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.82 ₫205.7K
$6.02 Rp 108.6K
29.90%
Cinema Ticket
$3.16 ₫83.1K
$3.01 Rp 54.4K
4.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$156 ₫4.1M
$62.0 Rp 1.1M
151.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.0K ₫341.6M
$7,605 Rp 137.3M
70.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.50 ₫1.0M
$42.03 Rp 758.8K
-6.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.70 ₫675.6K
$21.04 Rp 379.8K
22.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$52.3 ₫1.4M
$125 Rp 2.3M
-58.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.1 ₫2.0M
$123 Rp 2.2M
-38.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$362 ₫9.5M
$222 Rp 4.0M
63.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$246 ₫6.5M
$156 Rp 2.8M
57.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$732 ₫19.3M
$488 Rp 8.8M
50.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$456 ₫12.0M
$302 Rp 5.4M
50.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,881 ₫102.0M
$1,090 Rp 19.7M
256.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,304 ₫34.3M
$597 Rp 10.8M
118.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$347 ₫9.1M
$192 Rp 3.5M
80.55%
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: July 26, 2026

Last update for Balikpapan: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $362 in Da Nang and $222 in Balikpapan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Da Nang pays 81% 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 $15.00 in Balikpapan. Groceries flip the comparison at $187 vs $249, 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 in Balikpapan?
Da Nang and Balikpapan differ by about 11% in total monthly costs ($712 vs $787 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?
Average pay runs 81% 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Da Nang and in Balikpapan?
Rent for a central apartment: $362 in Da Nang versus $222 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 in Balikpapan?
A monthly transit pass in Da Nang runs roughly 168% 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 $62.0 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 compared to 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 11% less than in Balikpapan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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