Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Durham, NC

For one person, living is cheaper in Da Nang: $889 a month against $2,423 in Durham, NC, rent and utilities included – about $18,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Da Nang, Vietnam
Durham, NC, United States
Da Nang
🇻🇳 Vietnam
$889
/mo nomad
Durham, NC
🇺🇸 United States
$2,423
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Da Nang and in Durham, NC

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Da Nang and in Durham, NC actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $889 per month in Da Nang vs $2,423 in Durham, NC, rent included.

  • Da Nang $889
  • Durham, NC $2,423

A couple spends around $1,426 per month in Da Nang vs $3,700 in Durham, NC, rent included.

  • Da Nang $1,426
  • Durham, NC $3,700

A family of three spends $1,963 per month in Da Nang vs $4,978 in Durham, NC, rent included.

  • Da Nang $1,963
  • Durham, NC $4,978

Da Nang is about 63% cheaper than Durham, NC, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Da Nang sits 35% below the global median, while Durham, NC is 78% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Durham, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.17 ₫56.0K
$15.31 $15.31
-85.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.53 ₫504.0K
$106 $106
-81.56%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.53 ₫117.0K
$9.96 $9.96
-54.52%
Cappuccino
$1.64 ₫42.4K
$4.79 $4.79
-65.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60 ₫15.6K
$3.02 $3.02
-80.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 ₫8,901
$2.10 $2.10
-83.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.33 ₫34.4K
$6.18 $6.18
-78.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 ₫61.0K
$7.12 $7.12
-66.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Durham, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.60 ₫41.2K
$1.13 $1.13
41.59%
White Bread (500g)
$1.20 ₫31.0K
$4.70 $4.70
-74.47%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.05 ₫27.1K
$4.52 $4.52
-76.77%
Eggs
$1.52 ₫39.3K
$3.45 $3.45
-55.94%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.82 ₫330.7K
$19.01 $19.01
-32.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.17 ₫107.5K
$16.98 $16.98
-75.44%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.33 ₫240.6K
$17.05 $17.05
-45.28%
Apples (1kg)
$2.60 ₫67.2K
$5.67 $5.67
-54.14%
Banana (1kg)
$1.21 ₫31.3K
$1.83 $1.83
-33.88%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.28 ₫33.1K
$3.90 $3.90
-67.18%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.57 ₫40.5K
$4.58 $4.58
-65.72%
Potato (1kg)
$1.20 ₫31.0K
$2.27 $2.27
-47.14%
Onion (1kg)
$1.31 ₫33.9K
$3.90 $3.90
-66.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.04 ₫26.9K
$2.75 $2.75
-62.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₫12.7K
$1.96 $1.96
-75.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.51 ₫39.0K
$8.57 $8.57
-82.38%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.97 ₫205.6K
$15.23 $15.23
-47.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93 ₫24.0K
$1.52 $1.52
-38.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 ₫56.3K
$4.01 $4.01
-45.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Durham, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.30 ₫7,693
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.31 ₫162.7K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.04 ₫26.8K
$1.96 $1.96
-46.94%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.57 ₫14.6K
$0.60 $0.60
-5.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.27 ₫497.1K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 ₫23.4K
$1.01 $1.01
-9.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.8K ₫795.4M
$30.9K $30.9K
-0.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4K ₫732.2M
$26.0K $26.0K
8.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Durham, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.5 ₫2.0M
$226 $226
-65.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.35 ₫163.9K
$56.8 $56.8
-88.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.33 ₫214.9K
$71.5 $71.5
-88.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Durham, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$27.08 ₫698.6K
$51.5 $51.5
-47.42%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.32 ₫137.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.37 ₫86.8K
$12.36 $12.36
-72.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Durham, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$423 ₫10.9M
$1,567 $1,567
-73.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.1K ₫389.5M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Durham, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.19 ₫1.2M
$45.29 $45.29
-0.22%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.75 ₫716.1K
$35.33 $35.33
-21.45%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 ₫2.6M
$90.7 $90.7
11.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.8 ₫2.1M
$134 $134
-38.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Durham, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$553 ₫14.3M
$1,502 $1,502
-63.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$369 ₫9.5M
$1,118 $1,118
-66.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,228 ₫31.7M
$2,272 $2,272
-45.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$821 ₫21.2M
$1,970 $1,970
-58.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,858 ₫99.5M
$3,463 $3,463
11.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,877 ₫48.4M
$2,420 $2,420
-22.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Durham, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$362 ₫9.4M
$4,786 $4,786
-92.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.72
6.81
57.42%

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

Last update for Da Nang: October 25, 2026

Last update for Durham, NC: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
$369
Durham, NC
$1.1K 203% $749
Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
$200
Durham, NC
$456 128% $256
Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
$115
Durham, NC
$137 18.9% $22
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
$93
Durham, NC
$355 280% $261
Eating Out
Da Nang
$66
Durham, NC
$276 318% $210
Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
$34
Durham, NC
$76 126% $42
Getting Around
Da Nang
$11
Durham, NC
$5 * 56.3% $6.4

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $553 in Da Nang versus $1,502 in Durham, NC. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Durham, NC are about 13 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20 in Da Nang versus $106 in Durham, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $200 vs $456 – making Da Nang the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇻🇳 Da Nang
🇺🇸 Durham, NC
🕒 Local time
11:55 11:55 AM
23:55 11:55 PM
12 h behind Da Nang
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,245,200
283,506
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to VND – Vietnamese Dong Converter

Vietnamese Dong exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 25,802 VND (100,000 VND = 3.88 USD). 1 EUR = 28,810 VND (100,000 VND = 3.47 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Da Nang Durham, NC 14,180 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Da Nang
  • Durham, NC

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Durham, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Da Nang and in Durham, NC compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $889 in Da Nang, $2,423 in Durham, NC – Da Nang comes out roughly 63% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Da Nang compared to Durham, NC?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,333 per month in Da Nang and $3,634 in Durham, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Da Nang and Durham, NC?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Da Nang, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $553 there versus $1,502 in Durham, NC.
Which city is more expensive overall: Da Nang or Durham, NC?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $889 in Da Nang and $2,423 in Durham, NC. That makes Da Nang about 63% cheaper.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Da Nang and Durham, NC?
Kindergarten costs $423 per month in Da Nang and $1,567 in Durham, NC. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,200 per month?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in Da Nang, where all-in costs run around $889, than in Durham, NC at $2,423. In Da Nang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Durham, NC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Da Nang and Durham, NC?
It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $889 in Da Nang to $2,423 in Durham, NC. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Da Nang or Durham, NC safer for residents?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
How do I decide between Da Nang and Durham, NC?
If budget matters most, go with Da Nang. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Durham, NC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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