Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Islamabad Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Islamabad

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $720 per month in Da Nang vs $529 in Islamabad, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,104 per month in Da Nang vs $835 in Islamabad, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,488 per month in Da Nang vs $1,141 in Islamabad, rent included.

Da Nang costs about 36% more than Islamabad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Da Nang and Islamabad are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang 46% lower, Islamabad 61% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.97 ₫51.8K

$2.80 PKR 779

-29.64%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.92 ₫497.2K

$14.22 PKR 3,955

33.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.60 ₫120.8K

$5.44 PKR 1,512

-15.44%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.72 PKR 478

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.00 PKR 1,112

Cappuccino

$1.63 ₫42.9K

$2.00 PKR 557

-18.50%

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

$0.50 ₫13.1K

$0.43 PKR 119

16.28%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 ₫7,495

$0.22 PKR 61.1

31.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.02 ₫26.9K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.60 ₫42.0K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.43 ₫37.5K

$0.94 PKR 260

52.13%

White Bread (500g)

$1.02 ₫26.9K

$0.62 PKR 173

64.52%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.15 ₫30.3K

$1.21 PKR 338

-4.96%

Eggs

$1.42 ₫37.4K

$1.20 PKR 335

18.33%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.25 ₫321.8K

$6.07 PKR 1,689

101.81%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.63 ₫95.5K

$3.39 PKR 942

7.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.13 ₫266.3K

$4.38 PKR 1,218

131.28%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ₫72.2K

$1.03 PKR 287

166.99%

Banana (1kg)

$1.00 ₫26.2K

$0.78 PKR 216

28.21%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.09 ₫28.6K

$0.93 PKR 260

17.20%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.07 ₫28.1K

$0.60 PKR 166

78.33%

Potato (1kg)

$1.13 ₫29.8K

$0.41 PKR 115

175.61%

Onion (1kg)

$1.15 ₫30.2K

$0.54 PKR 149

112.96%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 ₫27.4K

$0.34 PKR 93.3

205.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 ₫12.6K

$0.37 PKR 103

29.73%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.93 PKR 537

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 PKR 251

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 PKR 552

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.36 ₫35.7K

$2.14 PKR 596

-36.45%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.71 ₫202.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.86 ₫22.7K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.66 ₫43.7K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.32 ₫8,325

$0.19 PKR 52.2

68.42%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.92 ₫103.0K

$6.90 PKR 1,921

-43.19%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.90 ₫23.6K

$0.86 PKR 238

4.65%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.69 ₫18.0K

$0.44 PKR 122

56.82%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.67 ₫306.7K

$2.81 PKR 782

315.30%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.89 ₫23.4K

$0.91 PKR 253

-2.20%

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

$26.8K ₫705.1M

$21.5K PKR 6.0M

24.75%

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

$28.1K ₫738.4M

$26.1K PKR 7.3M

7.47%

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

$74.3 ₫2.0M

$112 PKR 31.1K

-33.50%

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

$5.71 ₫150.1K

$5.44 PKR 1,512

4.96%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$8.07 ₫212.1K

$18.81 PKR 5,234

-57.10%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.37 ₫535.3K

$22.19 PKR 6,174

-8.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.65 ₫201.0K

$6.04 PKR 1,679

26.66%

Cinema Ticket

$3.11 ₫81.6K

$4.21 PKR 1,171

-26.13%

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

$156 ₫4.1M

$60.3 PKR 16.8K

157.91%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.7K ₫333.9M

$2,805 PKR 780.2K

353.14%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$38.62 ₫1.0M

$21.57 PKR 5,999

79.04%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.00 ₫683.1K

$27.63 PKR 7,686

-5.90%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$52.7 ₫1.4M

$88.1 PKR 24.5K

-40.14%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.8 ₫2.0M

$39.91 PKR 11.1K

89.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$360 ₫9.5M

$198 PKR 55.1K

81.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$249 ₫6.5M

$112 PKR 31.1K

122.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$727 ₫19.1M

$513 PKR 142.6K

41.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$459 ₫12.0M

$296 PKR 82.3K

54.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,870 ₫101.7M

$1,551 PKR 431.4K

149.53%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,283 ₫33.7M

$657 PKR 182.9K

95.18%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$353 ₫9.3M

$387 PKR 107.8K

-8.84%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.67

20.2

-47.18%

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

Last update for Da Nang: May 30, 2026

Last update for Islamabad: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $360 in Da Nang versus $198 in Islamabad. 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 10% higher in Islamabad, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Da Nang versus $14.00 in Islamabad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $98.0 – making Islamabad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Islamabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $720 in Da Nang, $529 in Islamabad – roughly 36% apart. Da Nang costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,080 per month in Da Nang and $794 in Islamabad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Islamabad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 92% more in Da Nang, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Da Nang and $14.00 in Islamabad. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $720 in Da Nang and $529 in Islamabad, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $529 in Islamabad to $720 in Da Nang. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Islamabad. 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.