Cost of Living in Da Nang, Vietnam (2026) — Real Expat Budgets

The short answer: A solo expat lives comfortably in Da Nang on 900–1,500 USD/month. A couple averages 1,400–2,200 USD/month. A family of four with one child in international school typically budgets 2,500–4,500 USD/month. Da Nang is roughly 60% cheaper than London, Paris or Madrid for the same standard of living.

$1,200median solo expat budget

$3,400median family budget (2 adults + 1 child)

$2.50average bowl of phở at a local restaurant

$8monthly 300 Mbps fibre internet

Solo expat: 900–1,500 USD/month

This budget assumes a modern 1-bedroom apartment within walking distance of the beach, a mix of Western and Vietnamese meals, a rented motorbike, and a gym membership.

Item	Monthly cost (USD)
1-bed apartment, An Thượng / My An	400–650
Electricity + water + internet	40–80
Groceries (mix Western + local)	150–250
Eating out 4–5×/week	120–220
Coworking or café work	50–110
Motorbike rental + petrol	70–100
Gym + weekly massage	40–80
Phone (Viettel unlimited 4G)	5–8
Health insurance (basic)	100–150
Total	975–1,648

Couple: 1,400–2,200 USD/month

One larger 2-bedroom apartment, two motorbikes, dining out together more often, and shared groceries.

2-bedroom apartment near the beach: 600–950 USD
Utilities + internet: 60–110 USD
Groceries for two: 250–400 USD
Restaurants + bars: 250–500 USD
Two motorbikes: 130–180 USD
Gym memberships ×2: 60–100 USD
Health insurance ×2: 200–300 USD
Personal expenses (clothes, gifts, weekend trips): 200–400 USD

Family of four with international school: 2,500–4,500 USD/month

School fees are by far the largest variable. With one child in international primary school you are looking at roughly 800–1,200 USD/month amortised over 10 months. Two children, especially in upper grades, can add 1,500 USD/month or more.

Item	Monthly cost (USD)
3-bedroom villa, My An / Son Trà	900–1,800
Utilities + internet (with AC)	120–250
Groceries for four	400–650
Restaurants + family outings	300–500
International school (1 child, primary)	800–1,200
School transport / part-time driver	250–400
Family health insurance	350–600
Activities, weekends, holidays	200–500
Total	3,320–5,900

What's genuinely cheap vs. genuinely expensive in Da Nang

Cheap (much less than the West)

Eating local: pho 2.50 USD, banh mi 1 USD, full Vietnamese lunch under 4 USD
Massage and wellness: 60-min massage 8–15 USD, yoga drop-in 6 USD
Domestic help: full-time housekeeper 250–400 USD/month
Mobile and internet: 300 Mbps fibre under 10 USD/month, unlimited 4G under 8 USD
Domestic flights: Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh round-trip from 60 USD

Expensive (similar or above Western pricing)

Imported wine, cheese, olive oil, breakfast cereals
International school fees (8,000–20,000 USD/year per child)
Western brand cosmetics and skincare
New cars (130%+ import tax)
Premium private hospital procedures with English-speaking staff

How Da Nang compares to other expat cities

City	Solo monthly budget (USD)
Da Nang	900–1,500
Chiang Mai (Thailand)	1,000–1,600
Bali (Indonesia)	1,200–1,900
Lisbon (Portugal)	1,800–2,800
Madrid (Spain)	2,000–3,200
London (UK)	3,500–5,500

FAQ

How much does an apartment cost in Da Nang?

Modern 1-bedroom apartments near My Khe beach cost 400–700 USD/month in 2026. 2-bedroom apartments range 600–1,100 USD. Beachfront 3-bedroom villas in Son Trà run 1,200–2,500 USD.

Is Da Nang cheaper than Chiang Mai?

Da Nang and Chiang Mai are within 10–15% of each other for total monthly cost. Da Nang has cheaper rent near the beach but slightly higher restaurant and import prices.

How much do I need to retire in Da Nang?

A retired couple typically lives well on 1,800–2,800 USD/month including private health insurance. Vietnam does not currently offer a dedicated retirement visa, so most retirees rotate on the multi-entry e-visa or use an investor visa.

Sources: DaNang Keys client expense data 2023–2026 (200+ households), Numbeo Da Nang index April 2026, Vietnam Ministry of Education school fee disclosures.