Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Islamabad

For one person, living is cheaper in Islamabad: $599 a month against $863 in Da Nang, rent and utilities included – about $3,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Da Nang
🇻🇳 Vietnam
$863
/mo nomad
Islamabad
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$599
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Da Nang and in Islamabad

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 Islamabad actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $863 per month in Da Nang vs $599 in Islamabad, rent included.

  • Da Nang $863
  • Islamabad $599

A couple spends around $1,404 per month in Da Nang vs $930 in Islamabad, rent included.

  • Da Nang $1,404
  • Islamabad $930

A family of three spends $1,945 per month in Da Nang vs $1,261 in Islamabad, rent included.

  • Da Nang $1,945
  • Islamabad $1,261

Da Nang costs about 44% more than Islamabad, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Da Nang and Islamabad are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang 36% lower, Islamabad 56% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Islamabad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.30 ₫59.4K
$3.63 PKR 1,004
-36.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.62 ₫508.0K
$23.40 PKR 6,478
-16.15%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.60 ₫119.1K
$5.54 PKR 1,534
-16.97%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.57 PKR 987
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$6.73 PKR 1,864
-
Cappuccino
$1.66 ₫43.0K
$2.64 PKR 730
-37.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61 ₫15.7K
$0.32 PKR 89.6
90.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 ₫8,877
$0.23 PKR 63.7
47.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.34 ₫34.6K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 ₫61.1K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Islamabad
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.60 ₫41.5K
$0.94 PKR 259
70.21%
White Bread (500g)
$1.21 ₫31.3K
$0.72 PKR 200
68.06%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.00 ₫25.9K
$1.30 PKR 361
-23.08%
Eggs
$1.51 ₫39.1K
$1.22 PKR 339
23.77%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.90 ₫333.9K
$6.05 PKR 1,674
113.22%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.29 ₫111.1K
$3.09 PKR 855
38.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.06 ₫234.6K
$5.35 PKR 1,482
69.35%
Apples (1kg)
$2.73 ₫70.6K
$1.26 PKR 350
116.67%
Banana (1kg)
$1.19 ₫30.8K
$0.87 PKR 241
36.78%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.29 ₫33.4K
$1.04 PKR 288
24.04%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.60 ₫41.3K
$0.53 PKR 146
201.89%
Potato (1kg)
$1.18 ₫30.4K
$0.29 PKR 81.2
306.90%
Onion (1kg)
$1.33 ₫34.3K
$0.36 PKR 99.4
269.44%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 ₫26.1K
$0.28 PKR 76.4
260.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ₫13.7K
$0.39 PKR 108
35.90%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$1.95 PKR 539
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.19 PKR 331
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.68 PKR 743
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.56 ₫40.3K
$2.24 PKR 619
-30.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.93 ₫205.2K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88 ₫22.9K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 ₫54.9K
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Islamabad
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.32 ₫8,182
$0.16 PKR 43.07
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$4.99 ₫129.3K
$21.34 PKR 5,905
-76.62%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.05 ₫27.1K
$1.24 PKR 344
-15.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.55 ₫14.3K
$0.74 PKR 204
-25.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.50 ₫504.8K
$1.60 PKR 442
1118.75%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 ₫24.5K
$1.37 PKR 378
-30.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9K ₫799.2M
$54.5K PKR 15.1M
-43.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0K ₫724.6M
$23.9K PKR 6.6M
17.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Islamabad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$76.6 ₫2.0M
$103 PKR 28.6K
-25.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.47 ₫167.6K
$5.99 PKR 1,658
8.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.08 ₫209.1K
$17.15 PKR 4,746
-52.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Islamabad
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.98 ₫646.6K
$28.20 PKR 7,806
-11.42%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.35 ₫138.6K
$8.47 PKR 2,344
-36.84%
Cinema Ticket
$3.07 ₫79.4K
$4.43 PKR 1,226
-30.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Islamabad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$161 ₫4.2M
$75.7 PKR 20.9K
113.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.2K ₫392.3M
$5,004 PKR 1.4M
202.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Islamabad
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.38 ₫1.2M
$25.72 PKR 7,118
76.44%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.22 ₫704.7K
$34.48 PKR 9,543
-21.06%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 ₫2.6M
$95.5 PKR 26.4K
4.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.9 ₫2.1M
$41.32 PKR 11.4K
95.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Islamabad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$529 ₫13.7M
$276 PKR 76.5K
91.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$349 ₫9.0M
$139 PKR 38.3K
151.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,053 ₫27.3M
$572 PKR 158.2K
84.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$811 ₫21.0M
$270 PKR 74.9K
199.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,834 ₫99.3M
$1,629 PKR 450.8K
135.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,308 ₫33.9M
$836 PKR 231.5K
56.38%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Islamabad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$363 ₫9.4M
$380 PKR 105.2K
-4.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.72
13.08
-18.04%

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

Last update for Da Nang: October 12, 2026

Last update for Islamabad: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
$349
Islamabad
$139 60.3% $211
Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
$201
Islamabad
$102 49.1% $98
Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
$114
Islamabad
$89 22.3% $25
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
$91
Islamabad
$126 38.7% $35
Eating Out
Da Nang
$67
Islamabad
$80 18.2% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
$31
Islamabad
$37 19.2% $6
Getting Around
Da Nang
$10
Islamabad
$27 167% $17

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $529 in Da Nang versus $276 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 5% 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 $20.00 in Da Nang versus $23.00 in Islamabad. Groceries tell a different story – $201 in Da Nang vs $102 in Islamabad – so Islamabad wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇻🇳 Da Nang
🇵🇰 Islamabad
🕒 Local time
07:32 7:32 AM
05:32 5:32 AM
2 h behind Da Nang
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,245,200
1,009,832 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PKR, USD, EUR to VND – Vietnamese Dong Converter

Vietnamese Dong exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 25,889 VND (100,000 VND = 3.86 USD). 1 EUR = 29,105 VND (100,000 VND = 3.44 EUR).

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD). 1 EUR = 311 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.21 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Da Nang Islamabad 4,020 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Da Nang
  • Islamabad

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 Islamabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Da Nang and in Islamabad compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $863 in Da Nang, $599 in Islamabad – roughly 44% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Da Nang compared to Islamabad?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,295 per month in Da Nang and $899 in Islamabad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Da Nang and Islamabad?
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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 96% 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.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Da Nang and $23.00 in Islamabad. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How far does $1,000 go in Da Nang compared to Islamabad?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $863 in Da Nang and $599 in Islamabad, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
How does quality of life compare between Da Nang and Islamabad?
It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $599 in Islamabad to $863 in Da Nang. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Da Nang or Islamabad 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 Islamabad?
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.

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