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 $718 per month in Da Nang vs $844 in Sandakan, Sabah, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,103 per month in Da Nang vs $1,303 in Sandakan, Sabah, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,488 per month in Da Nang vs $1,761 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 46% lower, Sandakan, Sabah 37% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.97 ₫51.6K

$2.29 MYR 9.05

-13.97%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.89 ₫495.8K

$18.66 MYR 73.7

1.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.69 ₫123.0K

$4.59 MYR 18.13

2.18%

Cappuccino

$1.57 ₫41.3K

$2.57 MYR 10.17

-38.91%

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

$0.53 ₫13.9K

$0.69 MYR 2.71

-23.19%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ₫8,217

$0.25 MYR 0.99

24.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.04 ₫27.2K

$2.37 MYR 9.37

-56.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.68 ₫44.0K

$3.47 MYR 13.70

-51.59%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.42 ₫37.2K

$1.75 MYR 6.92

-18.86%

White Bread (500g)

$0.93 ₫24.4K

$1.19 MYR 4.68

-21.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 ₫30.3K

$1.20 MYR 4.75

-3.33%

Eggs

$1.42 ₫37.2K

$2.88 MYR 11.39

-50.69%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.55 ₫329.5K

$15.09 MYR 59.6

-16.83%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.80 ₫99.7K

$3.51 MYR 13.86

8.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.03 ₫263.1K

$7.09 MYR 28.00

41.47%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ₫68.4K

$2.62 MYR 10.37

-0.38%

Banana (1kg)

$0.97 ₫25.5K

$1.12 MYR 4.43

-13.39%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.08 ₫28.3K

$3.21 MYR 12.68

-66.36%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.05 ₫27.6K

$1.91 MYR 7.56

-45.03%

Potato (1kg)

$1.11 ₫29.0K

$1.23 MYR 4.87

-9.76%

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 ₫31.7K

$1.29 MYR 5.09

-6.20%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 ₫27.5K

$1.12 MYR 4.42

-6.25%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.48 ₫12.6K

$0.48 MYR 1.88

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.37 ₫35.9K

$4.16 MYR 16.44

-67.07%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.52 ₫197.2K

$16.86 MYR 66.6

-55.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.79 ₫20.8K

$1.92 MYR 7.60

-58.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 ₫41.3K

$1.62 MYR 6.39

-3.09%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.32 ₫8,385

$0.69 MYR 2.72

-53.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.81 ₫99.9K

$12.01 MYR 47.43

-68.28%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.89 ₫23.5K

$1.20 MYR 4.73

-25.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.69 ₫18.2K

$1.00 MYR 3.93

-31.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.82 ₫310.3K

$5.83 MYR 23.03

102.74%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90 ₫23.5K

$0.50 MYR 1.96

80.00%

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

$27.3K ₫716.8M

$29.5K MYR 116.3K

-7.27%

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

$28.7K ₫753.6M

$28.2K MYR 111.3K

1.88%

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

$76.0 ₫2.0M

$47.91 MYR 189

58.63%

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

$5.97 ₫156.8K

$3.53 MYR 13.93

69.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$8.14 ₫213.5K

$23.38 MYR 92.4

-65.18%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.79 ₫519.5K

$37.49 MYR 148

-47.21%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$7.47 ₫195.9K

$6.03 MYR 23.81

23.88%

Cinema Ticket

$2.98 ₫78.2K

$2.81 MYR 11.09

6.05%

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

$155 ₫4.1M

$93.4 MYR 369

66.51%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.9K ₫337.4M

$4,518 MYR 17.8K

184.56%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$39.96 ₫1.0M

$60.0 MYR 237

-33.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.51 ₫669.5K

$23.14 MYR 91.4

10.24%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$52.6 ₫1.4M

$71.8 MYR 284

-26.74%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.8 ₫2.0M

$93.4 MYR 369

-17.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$352 ₫9.2M

$386 MYR 1,525

-8.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$244 ₫6.4M

$267 MYR 1,056

-8.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$721 ₫18.9M

$637 MYR 2,515

13.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$460 ₫12.1M

$464 MYR 1,835

-0.98%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,748 ₫98.4M

$1,587 MYR 6,267

136.23%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,264 ₫33.2M

$938 MYR 3,705

34.72%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$333 ₫8.7M

$762 MYR 3,008

-56.29%

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: April 22, 2026

Last update for Sandakan, Sabah: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $352 in Da Nang versus $386 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 129% 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 in Da Nang versus $19 in Sandakan, Sabah. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $187 vs $235 – 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: $718 in Da Nang, $844 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 $1,078 per month in Da Nang and $1,266 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 $718 in Da Nang and $844 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 $718 in Da Nang to $844 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.