Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and San Rafael, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Da Nang: $844 a month against $4,955 in San Rafael, CA, rent and utilities included – about $49,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Da Nang
🇻🇳 Vietnam
$844
/mo nomad
San Rafael, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$4,955
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Da Nang and in San Rafael, CA

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 San Rafael, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $844 per month in Da Nang vs $4,955 in San Rafael, CA, rent included.

  • Da Nang $844
  • San Rafael, CA $4,955

A couple spends around $1,386 per month in Da Nang vs $6,421 in San Rafael, CA, rent included.

  • Da Nang $1,386
  • San Rafael, CA $6,421

A family of three spends $1,928 per month in Da Nang vs $7,886 in San Rafael, CA, rent included.

  • Da Nang $1,928
  • San Rafael, CA $7,886

Da Nang is about 83% cheaper than San Rafael, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Da Nang sits 37% below the global median, while San Rafael, CA is 270% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
San Rafael, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.27 ₫58.7K
$25.06 $25.06
-90.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.51 ₫504.8K
$120 $120
-83.81%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.62 ₫119.6K
$12.07 $12.07
-61.72%
Cappuccino
$1.73 ₫44.8K
$4.67 $4.67
-62.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ₫16.9K
$2.97 $2.97
-78.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 ₫8,179
$2.98 $2.98
-89.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.37 ₫35.5K
$5.40 $5.40
-74.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 ₫58.2K
$6.96 $6.96
-67.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
San Rafael, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.58 ₫41.0K
$1.50 $1.50
5.33%
White Bread (500g)
$1.27 ₫32.8K
$4.43 $4.43
-71.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.04 ₫26.9K
$9.69 $9.69
-89.27%
Eggs
$1.50 ₫38.8K
$5.52 $5.52
-72.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.12 ₫339.5K
$22.55 $22.55
-41.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.17 ₫107.9K
$15.37 $15.37
-72.87%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.26 ₫239.6K
$18.20 $18.20
-49.12%
Apples (1kg)
$2.71 ₫70.2K
$7.34 $7.34
-63.08%
Banana (1kg)
$1.14 ₫29.6K
$2.93 $2.93
-61.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.33 ₫34.4K
$6.65 $6.65
-80.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.53 ₫39.6K
$8.27 $8.27
-81.50%
Potato (1kg)
$1.14 ₫29.5K
$5.78 $5.78
-80.28%
Onion (1kg)
$1.31 ₫34.0K
$5.44 $5.44
-75.92%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 ₫26.1K
$3.20 $3.20
-68.44%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ₫12.7K
$3.87 $3.87
-87.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.55 ₫40.2K
$10.79 $10.79
-85.63%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.80 ₫201.8K
$12.81 $12.81
-39.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88 ₫22.8K
$2.22 $2.22
-60.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10 ₫54.3K
$3.08 $3.08
-31.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
San Rafael, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 ₫8,147
$1.99 $1.99
-84.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$5.06 ₫130.9K
$64.5 $64.5
-92.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.05 ₫27.1K
$4.10 $4.10
-74.39%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.57 ₫14.7K
$4.29 $4.29
-86.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$19.44 ₫503.0K
$28.62 $28.62
-32.08%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 ₫23.1K
$1.44 $1.44
-38.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2K ₫780.7M
$32.2K $32.2K
-6.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K ₫721.7M
$27.3K $27.3K
2.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
San Rafael, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.0 ₫2.0M
$259 $259
-69.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.34 ₫164.0K
$84.3 $84.3
-92.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.23 ₫213.0K
$61.8 $61.8
-86.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
San Rafael, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.58 ₫584.2K
$124 $124
-81.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.43 ₫140.5K
$29.76 $29.76
-81.75%
Cinema Ticket
$3.13 ₫81.0K
$12.97 $12.97
-75.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
San Rafael, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$161 ₫4.2M
$2,128 $2,128
-92.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K ₫380.7M
$24.6K $24.6K
-40.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
San Rafael, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.61 ₫1.2M
$59.2 $59.2
-22.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.84 ₫720.5K
$42.66 $42.66
-34.74%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$102 ₫2.6M
$94.0 $94.0
8.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.1 ₫2.1M
$128 $128
-36.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
San Rafael, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$516 ₫13.4M
$3,079 $3,079
-83.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$341 ₫8.8M
$3,143 $3,143
-89.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,047 ₫27.1M
$4,230 $4,230
-75.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$783 ₫20.3M
$3,789 $3,789
-79.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,790 ₫98.1M
$7,545 $7,545
-49.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,306 ₫33.8M
$5,372 $5,372
-75.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
San Rafael, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$350 ₫9.1M
$7,047 $7,047
-95.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.72
6.62
61.93%

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

Last update for Da Nang: October 5, 2026

Last update for San Rafael, CA: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
$341
San Rafael, CA
$3.1K 823% $2.8K
Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
$200
San Rafael, CA
$572 186% $372
Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
$115
San Rafael, CA
$146 26.3% $30
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
$93
San Rafael, CA
$405 338% $313
Eating Out
Da Nang
$68
San Rafael, CA
$357 425% $289
Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
$29
San Rafael, CA
$150 420% $121
Getting Around
Da Nang
$10
San Rafael, CA
$98 861% $88

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $516 in Da Nang versus $3,079 in San Rafael, CA. 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 1912% higher in San Rafael, CA, 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 $120 in San Rafael, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $200 vs $572 – making Da Nang the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇻🇳 Da Nang
🇺🇸 San Rafael, CA
🕒 Local time
08:54 8:54 AM
18:54 6:54 PM
14 h behind Da Nang
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,245,200
58,704
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to VND – Vietnamese Dong Converter

Vietnamese Dong exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 USD = 25,879 VND (100,000 VND = 3.86 USD). 1 EUR = 28,999 VND (100,000 VND = 3.45 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Da Nang San Rafael, CA 12,010 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Da Nang
  • San Rafael, CA

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 San Rafael, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Da Nang and in San Rafael, CA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $844 in Da Nang, $4,955 in San Rafael, CA – roughly 487% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Da Nang compared to San Rafael, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,266 per month in Da Nang and $7,432 in San Rafael, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Da Nang and San Rafael, CA?
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 186% more in San Rafael, CA, 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 $120 in San Rafael, CA. 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 $844, than in San Rafael, CA at $4,955. In Da Nang it covers expenses comfortably, while in San Rafael, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Da Nang and San Rafael, CA?
It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $844 in Da Nang to $4,955 in San Rafael, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Da Nang or San Rafael, CA 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 San Rafael, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Da Nang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Rafael, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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