🙂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 Nang47% lower, Balikpapan41% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.87₫49.2K
$1.58Rp 28.5K
18.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.84₫495.2K
$15.12Rp 273.0K
24.60%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.60₫121.0K
$3.32Rp 59.9K
38.55%
Cappuccino
$1.57₫41.2K
$1.79Rp 32.3K
-12.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50₫13.3K
$0.41Rp 7,361
21.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₫7,549
$0.38Rp 6,938
-23.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.08₫28.3K
$1.95Rp 35.1K
-44.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61₫42.4K
$3.09Rp 55.8K
-47.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44₫37.8K
$1.89Rp 34.1K
-23.81%
White Bread(500g)
$0.96₫25.3K
$1.22Rp 22.1K
-21.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.13₫29.6K
$1.31Rp 23.7K
-13.74%
Eggs
$1.48₫38.8K
$2.67Rp 48.2K
-44.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.58₫330.7K
$8.25Rp 149.0K
52.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.77₫99.1K
$5.01Rp 90.4K
-24.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.74₫256.2K
$7.72Rp 139.3K
26.17%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60₫68.3K
$3.76Rp 67.8K
-30.85%
Banana(1kg)
$0.92₫24.2K
$1.51Rp 27.2K
-39.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.08₫28.3K
$2.12Rp 38.3K
-49.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.06₫27.8K
$1.26Rp 22.8K
-15.87%
Potato(1kg)
$1.10₫28.9K
$1.79Rp 32.3K
-38.55%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17₫30.7K
$3.74Rp 67.6K
-68.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01₫26.5K
$0.93Rp 16.7K
8.60%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52₫13.7K
$0.79Rp 14.3K
-34.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.32₫34.6K
$2.01Rp 36.4K
-34.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.74₫203.4K
$20.19Rp 364.5K
-61.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86₫22.5K
$2.18Rp 39.3K
-60.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64₫43.1K
$4.38Rp 79.1K
-62.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35₫9,085
$0.58Rp 10.5K
-39.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$3.78₫99.3K
$10.12Rp 182.7K
-62.65%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.88₫23.1K
$1.21Rp 21.8K
-27.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70₫18.5K
$0.37Rp 6,708
89.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.01₫315.8K
$6.07Rp 109.5K
97.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84₫22.1K
$0.73Rp 13.2K
15.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3K₫691.6M
$24.5KRp 443.0M
7.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K₫734.5M
$25.5KRp 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
$93.1Rp 1.7M
-18.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.93₫155.9K
$3.12Rp 56.4K
90.06%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.34₫219.3K
$32.41Rp 585.2K
-74.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.32₫534.3K
$21.16Rp 382.0K
-3.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.82₫205.7K
$6.02Rp 108.6K
29.90%
Cinema Ticket
$3.16₫83.1K
$3.01Rp 54.4K
4.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$156₫4.1M
$62.0Rp 1.1M
151.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.0K₫341.6M
$7,605Rp 137.3M
70.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.50₫1.0M
$42.03Rp 758.8K
-6.02%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.70₫675.6K
$21.04Rp 379.8K
22.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$52.3₫1.4M
$125Rp 2.3M
-58.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.1₫2.0M
$123Rp 2.2M
-38.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$362₫9.5M
$222Rp 4.0M
63.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$246₫6.5M
$156Rp 2.8M
57.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$732₫19.3M
$488Rp 8.8M
50.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456₫12.0M
$302Rp 5.4M
50.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,881₫102.0M
$1,090Rp 19.7M
256.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,304₫34.3M
$597Rp 10.8M
118.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Balikpapan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$347₫9.1M
$192Rp 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.