Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

For one person, living costs are similar in Da Nang and in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): $866 and $862 a month, rent and utilities included.

Da Nang
🇻🇳 Vietnam
$866
/mo nomad
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
🇻🇳 Vietnam
$862
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Da Nang and in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

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 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $866 per month in Da Nang vs $862 in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), rent included.

  • Da Nang $866
  • Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) $862

A couple spends around $1,402 per month in Da Nang vs $1,410 in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), rent included.

  • Da Nang $1,402
  • Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) $1,410

A family of three spends $1,937 per month in Da Nang vs $1,958 in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), rent included.

  • Da Nang $1,937
  • Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) $1,958

Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang 36% lower, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.30 ₫59.7K
$1.98 ₫51.3K
16.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.11 ₫494.6K
$23.14 ₫599.0K
-17.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.54 ₫117.4K
$4.76 ₫123.2K
-4.62%
Cappuccino
$1.73 ₫44.7K
$1.86 ₫48.1K
-6.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60 ₫15.5K
$0.51 ₫13.3K
17.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 ₫8,807
$0.32 ₫8,191
6.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.38 ₫35.9K
$1.03 ₫26.7K
33.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35 ₫60.8K
$1.71 ₫44.4K
37.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.59 ₫41.1K
$1.58 ₫40.8K
0.63%
White Bread (500g)
$1.23 ₫31.7K
$1.09 ₫28.3K
12.84%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.05 ₫27.1K
$1.05 ₫27.2K
-
Eggs
$1.49 ₫38.5K
$1.64 ₫42.6K
-9.15%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.26 ₫343.2K
$12.33 ₫319.2K
7.54%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.25 ₫110.1K
$3.58 ₫92.6K
18.72%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.57 ₫247.8K
$10.56 ₫273.3K
-9.38%
Apples (1kg)
$2.64 ₫68.3K
$2.97 ₫76.9K
-11.11%
Banana (1kg)
$1.20 ₫31.2K
$1.26 ₫32.7K
-4.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.31 ₫34.0K
$1.62 ₫42.0K
-19.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.53 ₫39.5K
$1.31 ₫33.8K
16.79%
Potato (1kg)
$1.14 ₫29.6K
$1.19 ₫30.8K
-4.20%
Onion (1kg)
$1.31 ₫33.9K
$1.14 ₫29.6K
14.91%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03 ₫26.8K
$0.73 ₫18.8K
41.10%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₫13.7K
$0.56 ₫14.6K
-5.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.51 ₫39.2K
$1.28 ₫33.0K
17.97%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.54 ₫195.2K
$12.46 ₫322.5K
-39.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93 ₫24.2K
$0.96 ₫24.9K
-3.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 ₫56.2K
$1.48 ₫38.3K
46.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.35 ₫8,963
$0.26 ₫6,704
34.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$5.01 ₫129.6K
$11.43 ₫296.0K
-56.17%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.04 ₫26.9K
$0.68 ₫17.7K
52.94%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.56 ₫14.5K
$0.62 ₫16.1K
-9.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.19 ₫496.8K
$3.00 ₫77.7K
539.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 ₫23.1K
$0.91 ₫23.5K
-2.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4K ₫788.3M
$30.6K ₫791.4M
-0.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1K ₫726.2M
$29.4K ₫760.1M
-4.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.5 ₫2.0M
$104 ₫2.7M
-24.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.17 ₫159.8K
$5.79 ₫149.9K
6.56%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.35 ₫216.1K
$10.48 ₫271.3K
-20.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.33 ₫655.7K
$26.08 ₫675.1K
-2.88%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.45 ₫141.0K
$11.90 ₫308.1K
-54.20%
Cinema Ticket
$3.29 ₫85.1K
$3.89 ₫100.7K
-15.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$160 ₫4.2M
$440 ₫11.4M
-63.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.9K ₫385.9M
$24.1K ₫622.7M
-38.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.73 ₫1.2M
$50.9 ₫1.3M
-12.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.90 ₫722.2K
$35.18 ₫910.8K
-20.69%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$102 ₫2.6M
$92.1 ₫2.4M
10.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.1 ₫2.1M
$96.5 ₫2.5M
-15.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$532 ₫13.8M
$582 ₫15.1M
-8.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$346 ₫9.0M
$297 ₫7.7M
16.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,039 ₫26.9M
$1,298 ₫33.6M
-19.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$794 ₫20.6M
$727 ₫18.8M
9.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,852 ₫99.7M
$4,782 ₫123.8M
-19.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,328 ₫34.4M
$1,853 ₫48.0M
-28.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$354 ₫9.2M
$490 ₫12.7M
-27.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.72
8.64
24.07%

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

Last update for Da Nang: October 20, 2026

Last update for Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
$346
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
$297 14.3% $49
Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
$202
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
$208 2.9% $5.8
Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
$115
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
$124 7.3% $8.5
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
$93
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
$120 29% $27
Eating Out
Da Nang
$68
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
$64 5.6% $3.8
Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
$32
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
$34 6.1% $2
Getting Around
Da Nang
$10
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
$16 58.9% $6

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $532 in Da Nang versus $582 in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). 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 38% higher in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Da Nang versus $23.00 in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $202 vs $208 – making Da Nang the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇻🇳 Da Nang
🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
🕒 Local time
11:21 11:21 AM
11:21 11:21 AM
Same time as Da Nang
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,245,200
9,456,700
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to VND – Vietnamese Dong Converter

Vietnamese Dong exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 25,889 VND (100,000 VND = 3.86 USD). 1 EUR = 29,105 VND (100,000 VND = 3.44 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Da Nang Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 610 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Da Nang
  • Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

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 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What salary covers living expenses in Da Nang compared to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Da Nang and $1,294 in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Da Nang – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)?
Kindergarten costs $160 per month in Da Nang and $440 in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), where all-in costs run around $862, than in Da Nang at $866. In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) it covers expenses comfortably, while in Da Nang it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)?
It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $862 in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to $866 in Da Nang. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)?
If budget matters most, go with Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Da Nang makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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