Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Johor Bahru Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Johor Bahru

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $718 per month in Da Nang vs $943 in Johor Bahru, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,105 per month in Da Nang vs $1,385 in Johor Bahru, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,491 per month in Da Nang vs $1,826 in Johor Bahru, rent included.

Da Nang is about 24% cheaper than Johor Bahru, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Da Nang and Johor Bahru are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang 47% lower, Johor Bahru 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Johor Bahru
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.88 ₫49.5K
$3.59 MYR 14.56
-47.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.54 ₫512.9K
$18.77 MYR 76.1
4.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.80 ₫125.9K
$4.69 MYR 19.02
2.35%
Cappuccino
$1.61 ₫42.3K
$3.02 MYR 12.23
-46.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54 ₫14.1K
$0.79 MYR 3.22
-31.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ₫7,600
$0.45 MYR 1.84
-35.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.08 ₫28.3K
$3.64 MYR 14.78
-70.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59 ₫41.6K
$6.63 MYR 26.90
-76.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Johor Bahru
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.37 ₫35.9K
$1.82 MYR 7.37
-24.73%
White Bread (500g)
$1.02 ₫26.8K
$0.93 MYR 3.76
9.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 ₫30.7K
$1.29 MYR 5.25
-9.30%
Eggs
$1.47 ₫38.5K
$1.87 MYR 7.59
-21.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.23 ₫321.0K
$10.72 MYR 43.49
14.09%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.81 ₫100.0K
$3.49 MYR 14.17
9.17%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.04 ₫263.5K
$8.21 MYR 33.29
22.29%
Apples (1kg)
$2.62 ₫68.7K
$2.77 MYR 11.21
-5.42%
Banana (1kg)
$0.98 ₫25.6K
$1.48 MYR 6.00
-33.78%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.12 ₫29.3K
$2.48 MYR 10.04
-54.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.11 ₫29.1K
$1.26 MYR 5.10
-11.90%
Potato (1kg)
$1.14 ₫29.8K
$1.14 MYR 4.61
-
Onion (1kg)
$1.15 ₫30.1K
$1.33 MYR 5.38
-13.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 ₫26.5K
$0.94 MYR 3.82
7.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ₫13.6K
$0.57 MYR 2.30
-8.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.36 ₫35.6K
$4.19 MYR 16.98
-67.54%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.78 ₫204.3K
$14.08 MYR 57.1
-44.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.85 ₫22.3K
$2.64 MYR 10.72
-67.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64 ₫43.0K
$2.93 MYR 11.90
-44.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Johor Bahru
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 ₫8,989
$0.74 MYR 3.02
-54.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$3.75 ₫98.5K
$11.67 MYR 47.34
-67.87%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.85 ₫22.3K
$1.02 MYR 4.13
-16.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.74 ₫19.5K
$0.99 MYR 4.03
-25.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.95 ₫313.7K
$9.41 MYR 38.15
26.99%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 ₫22.3K
$0.46 MYR 1.85
84.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.9K ₫706.5M
$35.8K MYR 145.2K
-24.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.9K ₫757.8M
$27.4K MYR 111.1K
5.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Johor Bahru
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$75.0 ₫2.0M
$41.08 MYR 167
82.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.01 ₫157.8K
$9.14 MYR 37.06
-34.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.43 ₫221.3K
$30.22 MYR 123
-72.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Johor Bahru
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$19.69 ₫516.9K
$34.97 MYR 142
-43.69%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.83 ₫205.6K
$6.01 MYR 24.37
30.28%
Cinema Ticket
$3.13 ₫82.3K
$5.04 MYR 20.42
-37.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Johor Bahru
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$152 ₫4.0M
$184 MYR 746
-17.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.7K ₫334.5M
$6,934 MYR 28.1K
83.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Johor Bahru
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.87 ₫1.0M
$49.20 MYR 200
-18.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.49 ₫669.0K
$19.06 MYR 77.3
33.74%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$51.9 ₫1.4M
$54.1 MYR 219
-4.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.2 ₫2.0M
$40.69 MYR 165
84.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Johor Bahru
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$353 ₫9.3M
$469 MYR 1,901
-24.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$248 ₫6.5M
$397 MYR 1,611
-37.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$718 ₫18.8M
$816 MYR 3,311
-12.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$449 ₫11.8M
$611 MYR 2,478
-26.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,837 ₫100.7M
$2,079 MYR 8,432
84.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,299 ₫34.1M
$1,163 MYR 4,714
11.71%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Johor Bahru
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$353 ₫9.3M
$1,108 MYR 4,492
-68.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.67
4.07
162.16%

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

Last update for Da Nang: June 9, 2026

Last update for Johor Bahru: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $353 in Da Nang versus $469 in Johor Bahru. 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 214% higher in Johor Bahru, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Da Nang versus $19.00 in Johor Bahru. Groceries tell a different story – $188 in Da Nang vs $217 in Johor Bahru – so Da Nang 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 Johor Bahru: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Da Nang and Johor Bahru compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $718 in Da Nang, $943 in Johor Bahru – roughly 31% apart. Johor Bahru costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Da Nang compared to Johor Bahru?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,077 per month in Da Nang and $1,414 in Johor Bahru. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Da Nang and Johor Bahru?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Da Nang, 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 15% more in Johor Bahru, 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 $19.00 in Johor Bahru. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Da Nang, where all-in costs run around $718, than in Johor Bahru at $943. In Da Nang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Johor Bahru it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Da Nang and Johor Bahru?
It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $718 in Da Nang to $943 in Johor Bahru. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Da Nang or Johor Bahru 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 Johor Bahru?
If budget matters most, go with Da Nang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Johor Bahru makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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