Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Bukit Mertajam Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Bukit Mertajam

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $868 in Da Nang versus $583 in Bukit Mertajam.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,419 in Da Nang versus $933 in Bukit Mertajam.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,970 in Da Nang versus $1,283 in Bukit Mertajam.

Living in Da Nang is roughly 49% more expensive than in Bukit Mertajam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Da Nang 37% lower, Bukit Mertajam 57% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.35 ₫61.1K

$3.47 MYR 14.20

-32.28%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.28 ₫501.4K

$21.02 MYR 86.0

-8.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.71 ₫122.5K

$4.90 MYR 20.04

-3.88%

Cappuccino

$1.80 ₫46.8K

$2.67 MYR 10.91

-32.58%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.69 ₫18.0K

$0.82 MYR 3.36

-15.85%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ₫8,205

$0.32 MYR 1.32

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.31 ₫34.1K

$2.43 MYR 9.96

-46.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.30 ₫59.8K

$4.43 MYR 18.14

-48.08%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.50 ₫38.9K

$2.16 MYR 8.83

-30.56%

White Bread (500g)

$1.25 ₫32.5K

$1.07 MYR 4.40

16.82%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.05 ₫27.3K

$1.75 MYR 7.17

-40.00%

Eggs

$1.52 ₫39.6K

$2.58 MYR 10.55

-41.09%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.04 ₫339.1K

$15.63 MYR 64.0

-16.57%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.05 ₫105.4K

$4.86 MYR 19.89

-16.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.26 ₫240.8K

$10.02 MYR 41.02

-7.58%

Apples (1kg)

$2.60 ₫67.6K

$2.33 MYR 9.55

11.59%

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 ₫28.7K

$1.49 MYR 6.10

-26.17%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.29 ₫33.5K

$2.25 MYR 9.20

-42.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.40 ₫36.3K

$1.20 MYR 4.90

16.67%

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 ₫29.5K

$0.86 MYR 3.54

31.40%

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 ₫31.9K

$0.80 MYR 3.26

52.50%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 ₫26.3K

$0.71 MYR 2.91

42.25%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ₫13.6K

$0.63 MYR 2.57

-17.46%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.57 ₫40.7K

$4.45 MYR 18.19

-64.72%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.48 ₫194.6K

$18.98 MYR 77.7

-60.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.83 ₫21.5K

$2.43 MYR 9.95

-65.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 ₫56.6K

$3.80 MYR 15.54

-42.63%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.32 ₫8,200

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.04 ₫131.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.04 ₫26.9K

$1.22 MYR 4.98

-14.75%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.62 ₫16.1K

$0.50 MYR 2.05

24.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.13 ₫497.4K

$4.99 MYR 20.40

283.37%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 ₫21.6K

$0.82 MYR 3.34

1.22%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.8K ₫799.8M

$42.3K MYR 173.2K

-27.31%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$28.4K ₫738.1M

$35.2K MYR 144.0K

-19.34%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$88.5 ₫2.3M

$50.8 MYR 208

74.22%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$6.00 ₫156.0K

$8.67 MYR 35.49

-30.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.95 ₫206.7K

$31.31 MYR 128

-74.61%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.83 ₫593.8K

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.41 ₫140.7K

Cinema Ticket

$3.13 ₫81.3K

$4.57 MYR 18.72

-31.51%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$163 ₫4.2M

$242 MYR 989

-32.65%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.3K ₫397.3M

$4,890 MYR 20.0K

212.37%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.57 ₫1.2M

$53.7 MYR 220

-17.00%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.95 ₫726.9K

$34.48 MYR 141

-18.94%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 ₫2.6M

$72.5 MYR 297

38.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$80.2 ₫2.1M

$97.2 MYR 398

-17.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$535 ₫13.9M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$342 ₫8.9M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,025 ₫26.6M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$787 ₫20.5M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,825 ₫99.5M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,283 ₫33.4M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$360 ₫9.4M

$555 MYR 2,270

-35.17%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.72

4.2

155.24%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Da Nang: September 12, 2026

Last update for Bukit Mertajam: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Bukit Mertajam pays 54% 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 $21.00 in Bukit Mertajam for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $196 vs $259 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 Bukit Mertajam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Da Nang and Bukit Mertajam differ by about 49% in total monthly costs ($868 vs $583 including rent). Bukit Mertajam is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

On paper, salaries run 54% lower in Bukit Mertajam. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.

Shoppers in Da Nang pay roughly 32% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.

All in, you'll spend $868 per month in Da Nang versus $583 in Bukit Mertajam – a 49% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Bukit Mertajam gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Safety-wise, Da Nang and Bukit Mertajam are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Bukit Mertajam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 49% less than in Da Nang. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.