๐A single person spends $3,473 per month in Salem, MA vs $707 in Da Nang, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $4,781 per month in Salem, MA vs $1,081 in Da Nang, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $6,090 per month in Salem, MA vs $1,455 in Da Nang, rent included.
๐Salem, MA costs about 391% more than Da Nang, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Salem, MA sits 159% above the global median, while Da Nang is 47% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Salem, MA
Da Nang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.10$25.10
$1.94โซ50.8K
1193.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$98.2$98.2
$19.32โซ506.9K
408.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.04$11.04
$4.69โซ122.9K
135.39%
Cappuccino
$5.10$5.10
$1.57โซ41.3K
224.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44$2.44
$0.54โซ14.2K
351.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13$2.13
$0.29โซ7,500
634.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.12$8.12
$1.02โซ26.7K
696.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.97$6.97
$1.68โซ44.0K
314.88%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Salem, MA
Da Nang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22$1.22
$1.42โซ37.2K
-14.08%
White Bread(500g)
$4.37$4.37
$1.00โซ26.4K
337.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$8.72$8.72
$1.13โซ29.5K
671.68%
Eggs
$4.42$4.42
$1.42โซ37.3K
211.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.19$14.19
$12.36โซ324.3K
14.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.25$14.25
$3.79โซ99.3K
275.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.70$8.70
$10.17โซ266.8K
-14.45%
Apples(1kg)
$4.53$4.53
$2.75โซ72.3K
64.73%
Banana(1kg)
$1.33$1.33
$0.93โซ24.4K
43.01%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.35$3.35
$1.09โซ28.5K
207.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.79$4.79
$1.09โซ28.7K
339.45%
Potato(1kg)
$4.29$4.29
$1.11โซ29.1K
286.49%
Onion(1kg)
$2.37$2.37
$1.20โซ31.6K
97.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.54$2.54
$1.05โซ27.5K
141.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.43$3.43
$0.48โซ12.5K
614.58%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.53$9.53
$1.36โซ35.8K
600.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.89$12.89
$7.55โซ198.2K
70.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76$1.76
$0.80โซ20.9K
120.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.90$6.90
$1.67โซ43.7K
313.17%
๐ Getting Around
Salem, MA
Da Nang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.45$2.45
$0.34โซ9,004
620.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$54.6$54.6
$3.78โซ99.1K
1344.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.49$3.49
$0.83โซ21.8K
320.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.58$1.58
$0.70โซ18.4K
125.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.22$29.22
$11.79โซ309.2K
147.84%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.07$1.07
$0.92โซ24.0K
16.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K$29.8K
$27.2Kโซ713.1M
9.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K$26.0K
$27.9Kโซ730.7M
-6.72%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Salem, MA
Da Nang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$169$169
$76.4โซ2.0M
121.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$91.3$91.3
$5.81โซ152.5K
1471.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$82.3$82.3
$8.47โซ222.2K
872.02%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Salem, MA
Da Nang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.44$42.44
$19.98โซ524.2K
112.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$7.68โซ201.5K
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.89$14.89
$3.04โซ79.7K
389.80%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Salem, MA
Da Nang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,299$1,299
$156โซ4.1M
734.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.8K$23.8K
$12.7Kโซ332.0M
87.97%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Salem, MA
Da Nang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.4$71.4
$39.04โซ1.0M
82.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.4$58.4
$25.36โซ665.4K
130.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.9$97.9
$52.7โซ1.4M
85.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.6$98.6
$76.5โซ2.0M
28.87%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Salem, MA
Da Nang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,360$2,360
$354โซ9.3M
567.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,944$1,944
$247โซ6.5M
686.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,832$3,832
$743โซ19.5M
415.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,855$2,855
$459โซ12.1M
521.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,731$2,731
$3,867โซ101.4M
-29.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,387$2,387
$1,277โซ33.5M
86.92%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Salem, MA
Da Nang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$9,570$9,570
$324โซ8.5M
2852.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.51
10.67
-38.99%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Salem, MA: April 28, 2026
Last update for Da Nang: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $2,360 in Salem, MA versus $354 in Da Nang. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐ฐSalaries run about 2853% higher in Salem, MA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $98 in Salem, MA versus $19 in Da Nang. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $434 vs $188 โ 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
Salem, MA vs Da Nang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Salem, MA and Da Nang compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,473 in Salem, MA, $707 in Da Nang โ roughly 391% apart. Salem, MA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Salem, MA compared to Da Nang?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,209 per month in Salem, MA and $1,060 in Da Nang. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Salem, MA and Da Nang?
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 131% more in Salem, MA, 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 $98.0 in Salem, MA and $19.00 in Da Nang. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ 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 $707, than in Salem, MA at $3,473. In Da Nang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Salem, MA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Salem, MA and Da Nang?
It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $707 in Da Nang to $3,473 in Salem, MA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Salem, MA or Da Nang 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Salem, MA and Da Nang?
If budget matters most, go with Da Nang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Salem, MA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.