Wellington vs Da Nang
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Da Nang is ~72% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Wellington
New Zealand
COL+Rent
50.9
Rent Index
32
Groceries
72.8
Restaurant
56.4
Da Nang
Vietnam
COL+Rent
14
Rent Index
6.4
Groceries
26.1
Restaurant
12
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Wellington | Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,478 | $237 | +$1,241 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,179 | $146 | +$1,033 |
| Groceries | $404 | $144 | +$260 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $2 | +$16 |
| Transit Pass | $111 | $5 | +$106 |
| Utilities | $141 | $38 | +$103 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Wellington | Da Nang |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,786/mo | $298/mo |
| Typical | $2,404/mo | $454/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,977/mo | $548/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Wellington | ≈ in Da Nang | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $413/mo | -$1,087 |
| $2,000/mo | $550/mo | -$1,450 |
| $3,000/mo | $825/mo | -$2,175 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Wellington vs Da Nang for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Da Nang is approximately 72% more affordable than Wellington when combining rent and daily living costs. Wellington's COL+Rent Index of 50.9 vs Da Nang's 14 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Wellington costs $1,478/month versus $237/month in Da Nang — giving Da Nang a $1,241/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $14,892 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Wellington ($404/mo) vs Da Nang ($144/mo) reflect Da Nang's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $2 show Da Nang offers cheaper dining. 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.