Chiang Mai vs Da Nang for Expats
Cross-border city comparison — Thailand vs Vietnam — across 7 dimensions using granular city-level data.
Last updated: February 2026
Quick Verdict
- •Chiang Mai has stronger healthcare (+15 points)
- •Chiang Mai leads in transport & infrastructure (+5 points)
- •Da Nang has a more favorable climate (+8 points)
Overall, Chiang Mai edges ahead on aggregate scoring, but the best choice depends on your personal priorities.
Score Comparison
Affordability index -- lower cost of living scores higher
Crime rates, safety perceptions, and neighborhood security
Hospital access, quality of care, and insurance options
School quality, university access, and language programs
Job market, co-working spaces, and remote work infrastructure
Temperature, sunshine hours, and air quality
Public transit, walkability, and ride-hailing availability
Key Metrics
| Metric | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Index | 85 | 88 |
| Safety Index | 72 | 72 |
| Healthcare Index | 65 | 50 |
| Education Index | 52 | 48 |
| Career Index | 38 | 35 |
| Climate Index | 60 | 68 |
| Transport Index | 50 | 45 |
| Air Quality Index | 35 | 65 |
| Family Index | 58 | 52 |
Price Comparison (USD)
| Item | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent (City Centre) | $400/mo | $350/mo |
| 1-Bed Rent (Outside Centre) | $250/mo | $220/mo |
| Inexpensive Meal | $2 | $2 |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 |
| Monthly Transport Pass | $25 | $10 |
| Coworking (Monthly) | $90 | $80 |
| Internet Speed | 150 Mbps | 75 Mbps |
The Expat Vibe
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
The original Southeast Asian digital nomad capital — cheap, quiet, mountainous, and packed with coworking spaces, yoga studios, and vegan cafes.
🇻🇳 Da Nang
Vietnam's most liveable city — a clean, modern coastal city with an incredible beach, growing tech scene, and a more relaxed pace than Saigon or Hanoi.
Housing & Rentals
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
Incredibly affordable. Modern studio condos from $200-400/mo. Many condos offer month-to-month leases. Burning season (February-April) causes severe air pollution (AQI 200+) — many nomads leave during this period or ensure their condo has air purifiers.
Top neighborhoods: Nimman (Nimmanhaemin), Old City, Santitham, Chang Phueak, Hang Dong
🇻🇳 Da Nang
Very affordable. Modern beachfront apartments from $300-600/mo. Many condos are new construction (post-2018). Monthly leases are common. The An Thuong area (near the beach) is the main expat hub with a walkable cluster of restaurants and cafes.
Top neighborhoods: My An/My Khe Beach, Son Tra, Hai Chau (city centre), An Thuong
Getting Around
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
No rail transit. Red songthaews (shared pickups) are the 'local bus' — negotiate the fare. Most nomads rent a scooter ($80-100/mo) or use Grab. The city is compact enough to cycle.
🇻🇳 Da Nang
Compact and easy. Grab is the standard. Scooter rental is $40-60/mo. The city is flat and bikeable. The new Golden Bridge and Sun World are accessible by car. Hoi An is just 30 minutes south by taxi/Grab.
Cost of Living Details
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
One of the cheapest quality-of-life cities in the world. A single person can live well on $800-1,200/mo; a couple on $1,500-2,000. Khao soi costs $1.50, a craft beer $3-4, a Thai massage $5-8.
🇻🇳 Da Nang
Among the cheapest cities in this guide. A couple can live very well on $1,200-2,000/mo. A banh mi costs $0.50-1, a full meal at a local restaurant $2-4. Beachside dining is still remarkably affordable.
Climate & Weather
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
Three distinct seasons: hot (March-May, 35-40°C), rainy (June-October, cooler with daily showers), and cool (November-February, 15-28°C — genuinely chilly at night, bring layers). The burning season (Feb-Apr) severely impacts air quality.
🇻🇳 Da Nang
Two seasons: dry and hot (March-August, 30-38°C, beach weather) and wet and cool (September-February, 20-28°C with occasional typhoons in October-November). The wet season can bring heavy flooding.
Food & Dining
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
Khao soi (curry noodle soup) is the signature dish — try it at Khao Soi Khun Yai or Khao Soi Mae Sai. Night Bazaar and Sunday Walking Street for street food variety. Warorot Market for local produce. SP Chicken for the best roast chicken. The cafe scene in Nimman is extraordinary — Ristr8to is regularly ranked among Asia's best coffee shops.
🇻🇳 Da Nang
Mi quang (turmeric noodle soup) is the signature dish — try it at Mi Quang Ba Vi. Bun cha ca (fish cake noodle soup) at Bun Cha Ca 109. Banh trang cuon (fresh spring rolls) are a Da Nang specialty. The Han Market and Con Market are excellent for local food. An Thuong's restaurant strip has good international options.
Insider Tips
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
During burning season (Feb-April), the AQI regularly exceeds 200 (hazardous). Many long-term nomads plan annual trips south (islands) or to Japan/Korea during this period. If staying, invest in an IQAir purifier ($300-500) and a condo with sealed windows. Also, the Sunday Walking Street market (Tha Pae Gate) is the best night market in Thailand.
🇻🇳 Da Nang
Hoi An (30 min south) is where you go for custom tailoring — suits from $100-200, shirts $15-30, shoes $50-80. Bring photos of what you want. Do a fitting, come back the next day for adjustments. Also, the Hai Van Pass (between Da Nang and Hue) is one of the world's most spectacular motorcycle rides — featured on Top Gear.
Explore Each City
Country Profiles
Related City Comparisons
Stay Updated
Get notified when we add new countries, data sources, and features to help your relocation research.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.