Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Sao Tome Cost of Living Comparison Between Da Nang and Sao Tome

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $874 per month in Da Nang vs $1,237 in Sao Tome, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,402 per month in Da Nang vs $1,954 in Sao Tome, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,930 per month in Da Nang vs $2,672 in Sao Tome, rent included.

Da Nang is about 29% cheaper than Sao Tome, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Da Nang and Sao Tome are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang 36% lower, Sao Tome 10% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.33 ₫60.8K

$9.37 STN 198

-75.13%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.42 ₫506.1K

$46.23 STN 975

-57.99%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.46 ₫116.3K

$8.13 STN 171

-45.14%

Cappuccino

$1.72 ₫44.9K

$2.37 STN 50.1

-27.43%

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

$0.68 ₫17.8K

$1.86 STN 39.18

-63.44%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 ₫8,927

$1.27 STN 26.83

-73.23%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.30 ₫33.9K

$1.72 STN 36.24

-24.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 ₫61.5K

$1.92 STN 40.43

22.92%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.54 ₫40.1K

$1.66 STN 34.94

-7.23%

White Bread (500g)

$1.22 ₫31.9K

$1.01 STN 21.24

20.79%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.06 ₫27.5K

$2.16 STN 45.56

-50.93%

Eggs

$1.52 ₫39.7K

$5.07 STN 107

-70.02%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.97 ₫337.8K

$20.55 STN 434

-36.89%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.05 ₫105.6K

$20.10 STN 424

-79.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.27 ₫241.6K

$24.81 STN 524

-62.64%

Apples (1kg)

$2.69 ₫70.2K

$3.88 STN 81.8

-30.67%

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 ₫28.9K

$1.83 STN 38.59

-39.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.33 ₫34.5K

$3.81 STN 80.4

-65.09%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 ₫35.9K

$3.68 STN 77.5

-62.50%

Potato (1kg)

$1.09 ₫28.5K

$2.98 STN 62.8

-63.42%

Onion (1kg)

$1.21 ₫31.6K

$2.49 STN 52.5

-51.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 ₫26.8K

$0.53 STN 11.11

94.34%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ₫13.6K

$2.10 STN 44.21

-75.24%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.55 ₫40.5K

$2.31 STN 48.69

-32.90%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.71 ₫201.0K

$8.37 STN 177

-7.89%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.90 ₫23.5K

$1.58 STN 33.23

-43.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 ₫55.8K

$1.74 STN 36.74

22.99%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.32 ₫8,217

$1.46 STN 30.72

-78.08%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.07 ₫132.0K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.03 ₫26.9K

$1.69 STN 35.68

-39.05%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.65 ₫17.0K

$2.65 STN 55.9

-75.47%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.08 ₫497.0K

$14.38 STN 303

32.68%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 ₫22.2K

$1.82 STN 38.33

-53.30%

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

$30.7K ₫800.8M

$26.0K STN 548.7K

18.19%

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

$27.6K ₫717.9M

$32.6K STN 687.0K

-15.38%

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

$88.0 ₫2.3M

$238 STN 5,014

-62.97%

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

$6.28 ₫163.6K

$32.55 STN 687

-80.71%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.91 ₫206.1K

$69.8 STN 1,472

-88.66%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$22.18 ₫578.0K

$35.06 STN 740

-36.74%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.30 ₫138.1K

$26.12 STN 551

-79.71%

Cinema Ticket

$3.02 ₫78.6K

$20.63 STN 435

-85.36%

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

$161 ₫4.2M

$240 STN 5,055

-32.95%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ₫394.1M

$2,261 STN 47.7K

568.90%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.10 ₫1.2M

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.21 ₫708.9K

$76.9 STN 1,623

-64.63%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 ₫2.7M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.7 ₫2.1M

$19.38 STN 409

321.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$529 ₫13.8M

$294 STN 6,196

80.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$346 ₫9.0M

$199 STN 4,191

74.03%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,037 ₫27.0M

$953 STN 20.1K

8.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$809 ₫21.1M

$454 STN 9,569

78.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,809 ₫99.2M

$1,886 STN 39.8K

102.00%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,312 ₫34.2M

$1,166 STN 24.6K

12.57%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$350 ₫9.1M

$274 STN 5,772

27.77%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.72

7.38

45.26%

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

Last update for Da Nang: August 30, 2026

Last update for Sao Tome: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $529 in Da Nang versus $294 in Sao Tome. 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 28% higher in Da Nang, 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 $46.00 in Sao Tome. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $198 vs $425 – 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 Sao Tome: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $874 in Da Nang, $1,237 in Sao Tome – roughly 42% apart. Sao Tome 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 $1,855 in Sao Tome. 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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $874 in Da Nang and $1,237 in Sao Tome. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $161 per month in Da Nang and $240 in Sao Tome. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Da Nang, where all-in costs run around $874, than in Sao Tome at $1,237. In Da Nang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sao Tome it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $874 in Da Nang to $1,237 in Sao Tome. 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, Sao Tome makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.