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 $874 per month in Da Nang vs $589 in Islamabad, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,402 per month in Da Nang vs $918 in Islamabad, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,930 per month in Da Nang vs $1,246 in Islamabad, rent included.

Da Nang costs about 48% more than Islamabad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Da Nang and Islamabad are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang 36% lower, Islamabad 57% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.33 ₫60.8K

$3.57 PKR 990

-34.73%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.42 ₫506.3K

$22.74 PKR 6,309

-14.60%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.46 ₫116.3K

$5.47 PKR 1,517

-18.46%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.55 PKR 986

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.71 PKR 1,862

Cappuccino

$1.72 ₫44.9K

$2.39 PKR 663

-28.03%

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

$0.68 ₫17.8K

$0.32 PKR 90.0

112.50%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 ₫8,932

$0.22 PKR 60.8

54.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.30 ₫33.9K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 ₫61.6K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 ₫40.1K

$0.99 PKR 275

55.56%

White Bread (500g)

$1.22 ₫31.9K

$0.79 PKR 220

54.43%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.06 ₫27.5K

$1.28 PKR 354

-17.19%

Eggs

$1.52 ₫39.7K

$1.28 PKR 356

18.75%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.97 ₫338.0K

$6.11 PKR 1,695

112.27%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.05 ₫105.7K

$3.06 PKR 849

32.35%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.27 ₫241.7K

$5.12 PKR 1,421

81.05%

Apples (1kg)

$2.69 ₫70.2K

$1.34 PKR 371

100.75%

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 ₫28.9K

$0.84 PKR 232

32.14%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.33 ₫34.6K

$1.02 PKR 282

30.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 ₫35.9K

$0.49 PKR 135

181.63%

Potato (1kg)

$1.09 ₫28.5K

$0.29 PKR 81.2

275.86%

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 ₫31.6K

$0.33 PKR 90.4

266.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 ₫26.9K

$0.29 PKR 80.8

255.17%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ₫13.6K

$0.38 PKR 106

36.84%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.90 PKR 528

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.38 PKR 383

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 PKR 652

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.55 ₫40.5K

$2.28 PKR 632

-32.02%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.71 ₫201.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 ₫23.6K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 ₫55.8K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.32 ₫8,222

$0.16 PKR 44.31

100.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.07 ₫132.1K

$21.23 PKR 5,889

-76.12%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.03 ₫26.9K

$1.27 PKR 353

-18.90%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.65 ₫17.0K

$0.69 PKR 191

-5.80%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.08 ₫497.3K

$1.65 PKR 459

1056.36%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 ₫22.2K

$1.32 PKR 365

-35.61%

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

$30.7K ₫801.2M

$53.9K PKR 15.0M

-43.02%

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

$27.6K ₫718.2M

$25.1K PKR 7.0M

9.76%

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

$88.0 ₫2.3M

$102 PKR 28.3K

-13.81%

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

$6.28 ₫163.7K

$5.83 PKR 1,618

7.72%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.91 ₫206.2K

$16.34 PKR 4,534

-51.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.18 ₫578.3K

$29.09 PKR 8,071

-23.75%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.30 ₫138.2K

$8.93 PKR 2,478

-40.65%

Cinema Ticket

$3.02 ₫78.7K

$5.01 PKR 1,390

-39.72%

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

$161 ₫4.2M

$75.0 PKR 20.8K

114.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ₫394.3M

$5,084 PKR 1.4M

197.50%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.10 ₫1.2M

$23.55 PKR 6,532

95.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.21 ₫709.2K

$32.68 PKR 9,066

-16.74%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 ₫2.7M

$83.6 PKR 23.2K

22.70%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.7 ₫2.1M

$39.29 PKR 10.9K

108.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$529 ₫13.8M

$277 PKR 76.8K

91.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$346 ₫9.0M

$144 PKR 40.0K

139.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,037 ₫27.0M

$577 PKR 160.1K

79.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$809 ₫21.1M

$266 PKR 73.9K

204.03%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,809 ₫99.3M

$1,635 PKR 453.5K

133.01%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,312 ₫34.2M

$829 PKR 230.1K

58.23%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$350 ₫9.1M

$381 PKR 105.8K

-8.37%

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: August 30, 2026

Last update for Islamabad: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $529 in Da Nang versus $277 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 9% 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 $23.00 in Islamabad. Groceries tell a different story – $198 in Da Nang vs $103 in Islamabad – so Islamabad 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 Islamabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $874 in Da Nang, $589 in Islamabad – roughly 48% apart. Da Nang costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,311 per month in Da Nang and $884 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 93% 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 $23.00 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 $874 in Da Nang and $589 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 $589 in Islamabad to $874 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.