🙂A single person spends $704 per month in Da Nang vs $873 in Shah Alam, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,081 per month in Da Nang vs $1,333 in Shah Alam, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,458 per month in Da Nang vs $1,793 in Shah Alam, rent included.
🙂Da Nang is about 19% cheaper than Shah Alam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Da Nang and Shah Alam are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang47% lower, Shah Alam35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Shah Alam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.93₫50.8K
$2.97MYR 12.16
-35.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.46₫511.5K
$18.70MYR 76.5
4.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.65₫122.2K
$4.13MYR 16.90
12.59%
Cappuccino
$1.61₫42.3K
$2.73MYR 11.15
-41.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51₫13.4K
$0.72MYR 2.93
-29.17%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₫7,592
$0.36MYR 1.49
-19.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.07₫28.2K
$3.59MYR 14.70
-70.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59₫41.7K
$4.31MYR 17.62
-63.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Shah Alam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38₫36.3K
$1.80MYR 7.38
-23.33%
White Bread(500g)
$0.95₫24.9K
$0.99MYR 4.06
-4.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.17₫30.7K
$1.49MYR 6.10
-21.48%
Eggs
$1.43₫37.5K
$2.03MYR 8.29
-29.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.59₫331.0K
$14.35MYR 58.7
-12.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.64₫95.8K
$5.07MYR 20.73
-28.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.79₫257.3K
$7.92MYR 32.41
23.61%
Apples(1kg)
$2.76₫72.4K
$2.80MYR 11.45
-1.43%
Banana(1kg)
$0.94₫24.8K
$1.50MYR 6.13
-37.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.12₫29.4K
$2.55MYR 10.43
-56.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.05₫27.6K
$1.24MYR 5.09
-15.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.10₫28.9K
$1.13MYR 4.61
-2.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19₫31.4K
$1.34MYR 5.49
-11.19%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.00₫26.3K
$0.91MYR 3.73
9.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48₫12.7K
$0.52MYR 2.13
-7.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.38₫36.3K
$4.13MYR 16.88
-66.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.52₫197.7K
$18.60MYR 76.1
-59.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.81₫21.4K
$2.65MYR 10.86
-69.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60₫42.1K
$4.00MYR 16.36
-60.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Shah Alam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32₫8,321
$0.74MYR 3.03
-56.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$3.73₫98.2K
$15.20MYR 62.2
-75.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.82₫21.5K
$0.95MYR 3.90
-13.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69₫18.3K
$0.54MYR 2.20
27.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.03₫316.4K
$7.21MYR 29.47
66.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91₫24.0K
$0.49MYR 2.01
85.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.2K₫715.1M
$33.6KMYR 137.6K
-19.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1K₫739.2M
$27.4KMYR 112.2K
2.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Shah Alam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.1₫1.9M
$41.19MYR 168
79.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.97₫157.0K
$10.07MYR 41.20
-40.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.07₫212.3K
$30.14MYR 123
-73.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Shah Alam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.06₫527.5K
$38.85MYR 159
-48.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.52₫197.6K
$5.82MYR 23.81
29.21%
Cinema Ticket
$3.00₫78.9K
$6.37MYR 26.04
-52.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Shah Alam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$153₫4.0M
$210MYR 861
-27.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.8K₫336.9M
$6,234MYR 25.5K
105.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Shah Alam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.61₫1.0M
$50.0MYR 205
-20.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.60₫673.1K
$34.92MYR 143
-26.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$52.7₫1.4M
$61.0MYR 249
-13.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.9₫2.0M
$49.48MYR 202
55.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Shah Alam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$365₫9.6M
$372MYR 1,521
-1.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$244₫6.4M
$266MYR 1,087
-8.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$732₫19.2M
$586MYR 2,398
24.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$458₫12.0M
$482MYR 1,970
-4.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,767₫99.0M
$1,505MYR 6,155
150.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,304₫34.3M
$1,208MYR 4,942
7.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Shah Alam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$359₫9.4M
$1,252MYR 5,120
-71.32%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.67
4.16
156.49%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Da Nang: July 14, 2026
Last update for Shah Alam: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $365 in Da Nang versus $372 in Shah Alam. 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 249% higher in Shah Alam, 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 Shah Alam. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $186 vs $248 – 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 Shah Alam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Da Nang and in Shah Alam compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $704 in Da Nang, $873 in Shah Alam – roughly 24% apart. Shah Alam costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Da Nang compared to Shah Alam?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,056 per month in Da Nang and $1,310 in Shah Alam. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Da Nang and Shah Alam?
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 33% more in Shah Alam, 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 $19.00 in Da Nang and $19.00 in Shah Alam. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How far does $1,200 go in Da Nang compared to Shah Alam?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $704 in Da Nang and $873 in Shah Alam, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
How does quality of life compare between Da Nang and Shah Alam?
It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $704 in Da Nang to $873 in Shah Alam. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Da Nang or Shah Alam 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 Shah Alam?
If budget matters most, go with Da Nang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Shah Alam makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.