Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Sandakan, Sabah Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Sandakan, Sabah

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $712 per month in Da Nang vs $838 in Sandakan, Sabah, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,080 per month in Da Nang vs $1,292 in Sandakan, Sabah, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,448 per month in Da Nang vs $1,747 in Sandakan, Sabah, rent included.

Da Nang is about 15% cheaper than Sandakan, Sabah, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Da Nang and Sandakan, Sabah are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang 47% lower, Sandakan, Sabah 37% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.87 ₫49.3K

$2.40 MYR 9.82

-22.08%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.84 ₫495.8K

$18.83 MYR 77.0

0.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.60 ₫121.2K

$4.63 MYR 18.91

-0.65%

Cappuccino

$1.57 ₫41.2K

$2.59 MYR 10.57

-39.38%

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

$0.50 ₫13.3K

$0.68 MYR 2.78

-26.47%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 ₫7,557

$0.23 MYR 0.94

26.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.08 ₫28.3K

$2.40 MYR 9.80

-55.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 ₫42.4K

$3.45 MYR 14.10

-53.33%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 ₫37.8K

$1.66 MYR 6.79

-13.25%

White Bread (500g)

$0.96 ₫25.3K

$1.20 MYR 4.89

-20.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.13 ₫29.7K

$1.14 MYR 4.68

-0.88%

Eggs

$1.48 ₫38.9K

$2.76 MYR 11.26

-46.38%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.58 ₫331.1K

$15.33 MYR 62.6

-17.94%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.77 ₫99.2K

$3.43 MYR 14.01

9.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.74 ₫256.5K

$7.16 MYR 29.24

36.03%

Apples (1kg)

$2.60 ₫68.4K

$2.56 MYR 10.46

1.56%

Banana (1kg)

$0.92 ₫24.2K

$1.18 MYR 4.83

-22.03%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.08 ₫28.4K

$3.23 MYR 13.21

-66.56%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.06 ₫27.9K

$1.98 MYR 8.09

-46.46%

Potato (1kg)

$1.10 ₫29.0K

$1.19 MYR 4.86

-7.56%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ₫30.7K

$1.34 MYR 5.46

-12.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 ₫26.6K

$1.12 MYR 4.57

-9.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ₫13.8K

$0.47 MYR 1.92

10.64%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.32 ₫34.6K

$4.16 MYR 17.02

-68.27%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.74 ₫203.7K

$17.39 MYR 71.1

-55.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.86 ₫22.5K

$1.91 MYR 7.82

-54.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.64 ₫43.2K

$1.68 MYR 6.86

-2.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.35 ₫9,095

$0.68 MYR 2.78

-48.53%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.78 ₫99.4K

$12.00 MYR 49.04

-68.50%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.88 ₫23.1K

$1.15 MYR 4.71

-23.48%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.70 ₫18.5K

$1.03 MYR 4.23

-32.04%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$12.01 ₫316.1K

$6.04 MYR 24.69

98.84%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.84 ₫22.2K

$0.50 MYR 2.05

68.00%

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

$26.3K ₫692.4M

$29.9K MYR 122.1K

-11.97%

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

$27.9K ₫735.3M

$28.1K MYR 114.7K

-0.48%

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

$75.9 ₫2.0M

$46.63 MYR 191

62.86%

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

$5.93 ₫156.1K

$3.50 MYR 14.29

69.43%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$8.34 ₫219.5K

$23.79 MYR 97.2

-64.94%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$20.32 ₫534.9K

$36.28 MYR 148

-43.99%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.82 ₫205.9K

$6.00 MYR 24.53

30.33%

Cinema Ticket

$3.16 ₫83.2K

$2.87 MYR 11.75

10.10%

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

$156 ₫4.1M

$94.8 MYR 388

64.55%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.0K ₫342.0M

$4,390 MYR 17.9K

195.94%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.50 ₫1.0M

$59.3 MYR 242

-33.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.70 ₫676.4K

$22.95 MYR 93.8

11.98%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$52.3 ₫1.4M

$71.8 MYR 293

-27.15%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.1 ₫2.0M

$95.8 MYR 392

-20.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$362 ₫9.5M

$391 MYR 1,598

-7.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$246 ₫6.5M

$267 MYR 1,092

-8.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$732 ₫19.3M

$652 MYR 2,664

12.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$456 ₫12.0M

$479 MYR 1,958

-4.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,881 ₫102.2M

$1,998 MYR 8,166

94.25%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,304 ₫34.3M

$995 MYR 4,065

31.14%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$347 ₫9.1M

$1,215 MYR 4,965

-71.46%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.67

255.67%

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

Last update for Da Nang: July 26, 2026

Last update for Sandakan, Sabah: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $362 in Da Nang versus $391 in Sandakan, Sabah. 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 250% higher in Sandakan, Sabah, 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 $19.00 in Da Nang versus $19.00 in Sandakan, Sabah. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $187 vs $236 – making Da Nang 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 Sandakan, Sabah: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $712 in Da Nang, $838 in Sandakan, Sabah – roughly 18% apart. Sandakan, Sabah costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,068 per month in Da Nang and $1,257 in Sandakan, Sabah. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Groceries cost about 26% more in Sandakan, Sabah, 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 $19.00 in Sandakan, Sabah. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $712 in Da Nang and $838 in Sandakan, Sabah, 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 $712 in Da Nang to $838 in Sandakan, Sabah. 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 Da Nang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sandakan, Sabah makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.