Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $711 per month in Da Nang vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,077 per month in Da Nang vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,443 per month in Da Nang vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Da Nang is about 18% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Da Nang and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ€“ Da Nang 47% lower, Chiang Mai 35% lower.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Da Nang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.89 โ‚ซ49.5K
$2.01 เธฟ64.5
-5.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.22 โ‚ซ504.1K
$18.23 เธฟ584
5.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.83 โ‚ซ126.6K
$7.65 เธฟ245
-36.86%
Cappuccino
$1.56 โ‚ซ40.8K
$1.92 เธฟ61.5
-18.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50 โ‚ซ13.1K
$0.84 เธฟ26.96
-40.48%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 โ‚ซ7,582
$0.36 เธฟ11.42
-19.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.07 โ‚ซ28.0K
$2.19 เธฟ70.2
-51.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 โ‚ซ41.5K
$3.79 เธฟ121
-58.31%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.44 โ‚ซ37.8K
$1.64 เธฟ52.5
-12.20%
White Bread (500g)
$0.95 โ‚ซ24.9K
$1.62 เธฟ51.9
-41.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.13 โ‚ซ29.6K
$1.15 เธฟ36.96
-1.74%
Eggs
$1.48 โ‚ซ38.9K
$1.94 เธฟ62.1
-23.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.38 โ‚ซ324.7K
$15.94 เธฟ511
-22.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.75 โ‚ซ98.3K
$3.10 เธฟ99.4
20.97%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.94 โ‚ซ260.6K
$11.07 เธฟ355
-10.21%
Apples (1kg)
$2.72 โ‚ซ71.4K
$2.71 เธฟ86.7
0.37%
Banana (1kg)
$0.92 โ‚ซ24.1K
$1.18 เธฟ37.77
-22.03%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.12 โ‚ซ29.4K
$1.71 เธฟ54.6
-34.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.11 โ‚ซ29.1K
$1.61 เธฟ51.4
-31.06%
Potato (1kg)
$1.14 โ‚ซ29.9K
$1.39 เธฟ44.63
-17.99%
Onion (1kg)
$1.21 โ‚ซ31.8K
$1.15 เธฟ36.78
5.22%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.04 โ‚ซ27.4K
$0.71 เธฟ22.81
46.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 โ‚ซ12.8K
$0.55 เธฟ17.63
-10.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.35 โ‚ซ35.4K
$4.57 เธฟ146
-70.46%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.77 โ‚ซ203.8K
$18.87 เธฟ605
-58.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86 โ‚ซ22.7K
$1.82 เธฟ58.3
-52.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64 โ‚ซ43.0K
$3.21 เธฟ103
-48.91%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Da Nang
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 โ‚ซ8,949
$0.88 เธฟ28.23
-61.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$3.84 โ‚ซ100.8K
$18.89 เธฟ605
-79.67%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.89 โ‚ซ23.2K
$1.41 เธฟ45.27
-36.88%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.70 โ‚ซ18.4K
$1.30 เธฟ41.68
-46.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.67 โ‚ซ306.0K
$8.20 เธฟ263
42.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 โ‚ซ24.2K
$1.23 เธฟ39.27
-25.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.8K โ‚ซ703.2M
$21.2K เธฟ678.5K
26.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.8K โ‚ซ755.7M
$22.3K เธฟ714.9K
29.14%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$75.0 โ‚ซ2.0M
$69.9 เธฟ2,239
7.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.00 โ‚ซ157.5K
$14.07 เธฟ451
-57.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.16 โ‚ซ214.1K
$17.70 เธฟ567
-53.90%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$20.13 โ‚ซ528.1K
$41.41 เธฟ1,327
-51.39%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.75 โ‚ซ203.2K
$6.69 เธฟ214
15.84%
Cinema Ticket
$3.13 โ‚ซ82.2K
$5.74 เธฟ184
-45.47%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$152 โ‚ซ4.0M
$299 เธฟ9,587
-49.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.8K โ‚ซ336.6M
$15.0K เธฟ480.9K
-14.50%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$38.68 โ‚ซ1.0M
$54.8 เธฟ1,756
-29.44%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 โ‚ซ662.0K
$26.35 เธฟ844
-4.21%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$51.3 โ‚ซ1.3M
$84.7 เธฟ2,712
-39.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.8 โ‚ซ2.0M
$69.7 เธฟ2,234
10.15%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$360 โ‚ซ9.4M
$427 เธฟ13.7K
-15.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$244 โ‚ซ6.4M
$241 เธฟ7,713
1.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$734 โ‚ซ19.3M
$811 เธฟ26.0K
-9.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$456 โ‚ซ11.9M
$498 เธฟ16.0K
-8.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,738 โ‚ซ98.0M
$2,022 เธฟ64.8K
84.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,275 โ‚ซ33.4M
$1,524 เธฟ48.8K
-16.35%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$334 โ‚ซ8.8M
$639 เธฟ20.5K
-47.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.67
5
113.40%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Da Nang: April 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $360 in Da Nang versus $427 in Chiang Mai. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 92% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Da Nang versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ€“ $188 in Da Nang vs $246 in Chiang Mai โ€“ so Da Nang wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Da Nang or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 23% more than Da Nang, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Da Nang vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,067 per month in Da Nang and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ€“ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Da Nang or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Da Nang, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Da Nang and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $152 per month in Da Nang and $299 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Da Nang or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 31% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Da Nang or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably โ€“ all-in costs are $711 in Da Nang and $872 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Da Nang or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Da Nang costs $711 versus $872 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Da Nang compared to Chiang Mai?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison โ€“ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Da Nang or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Da Nang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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