Da Nang vs Phuket
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Da Nang is ~37% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Da Nang
Vietnam
COL+Rent
14
Rent Index
6.4
Groceries
26.1
Restaurant
12
Phuket
Thailand
COL+Rent
22.1
Rent Index
10.8
Groceries
39.1
Restaurant
21.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Da Nang | Phuket | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $237 | $371 | $134 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $146 | $234 | $88 |
| Groceries | $144 | $229 | $85 |
| Restaurant Meal | $2 | $4 | $2 |
| Transit Pass | $5 | $25 | $20 |
| Utilities | $38 | $67 | $29 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Da Nang | Phuket |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $298/mo | $502/mo |
| Typical | $454/mo | $752/mo |
| Comfortable | $548/mo | $913/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Da Nang | ≈ in Phuket | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,368/mo | +$868 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,157/mo | +$1,157 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,736/mo | +$1,736 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Da Nang vs Phuket for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Da Nang is approximately 37% more affordable than Phuket when combining rent and daily living costs. Da Nang's COL+Rent Index of 14 vs Phuket's 22.1 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Da Nang costs $237/month versus $371/month in Phuket — giving Da Nang a $134/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Da Nang ($144/mo) vs Phuket ($229/mo) reflect Da Nang's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $2 vs $4 show Da Nang is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Da Nang offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $454 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.