🇹🇭 Chiang Mai vs 🇻🇳 Da Nang
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Chiang Mai is 14% cheaper than Da Nang
Quick answer
Comparing Chiang Mai, Thailand and Da Nang, Vietnam: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $673 in Chiang Mai versus $783 in Da Nang. Chiang Mai is roughly 14% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $315/mo (Chiang Mai) vs $490/mo (Da Nang). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $673/mo in Chiang Mai single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $783/mo in Da Nang single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $315/mo in Chiang Mai · $490/mo in Da Nang.
- Cheaper overall: Chiang Mai ~14% cheaper than Da Nang.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $450/mo | $550/mo | +22% |
| Moderate | $673/mo | $783/mo | +16% |
| Comfortable | $1,000/mo | $1,150/mo | +15% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $315/mo | $490/mo | +56% |
| Groceries & Food | $110/mo | $90/mo | -18% |
| Dining Out | $55/mo | $45/mo | -18% |
| Transport | $55/mo | $45/mo | -18% |
| Utilities & Internet | $55/mo | $45/mo | -18% |
| Healthcare | $44/mo | $36/mo | -18% |
| Leisure & Personal | $39/mo | $32/mo | -18% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
Chiang Mai
$315
Da Nang
$490
Groceries & Food
Chiang Mai
$110
Da Nang
$90
Dining Out
Chiang Mai
$55
Da Nang
$45
Transport
Chiang Mai
$55
Da Nang
$45
Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$55
Da Nang
$45
Healthcare
Chiang Mai
$44
Da Nang
$36
Leisure & Personal
Chiang Mai
$39
Da Nang
$32
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: NSO (Thailand), World Bank / GSO (Vietnam), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $0 | -77% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $2 | $1 | -13% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $1 | -25% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $3 | $3 | 0% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -44% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | $1 | $1 | -14% |
| Mid-range restaurant (2 people) | $20 | $4 | -78% |
| Fast food combo meal | $5 | $2 | -60% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $1 | -62% |
Housing
| Item | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $315 | $490 | +56% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $267 | $328 | +23% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $650 | $700 | +8% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $400 | $400 | 0% |
Transport
| Item | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit (songthaew) | $20 | $45 | +125% |
| Scooter rental (monthly) | $85 | $1 | -99% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $70 | $45 | -36% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $18 | $9 | -50% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $28 | $18 | -36% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $4 | $2 | -52% |
Quick Facts
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $673
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $315/mo
- Cappuccino
- $2.20
- Inexpensive meal
- $2.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $25
- Internet speed
- 150 Mbps
- Safety index
- 72/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 75/100
- Country
- Thailand
🇻🇳 Da Nang
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $783
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $490/mo
- Cappuccino
- $1.80
- Inexpensive meal
- $2.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $10
- Internet speed
- 75 Mbps
- Safety index
- 72/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 69/100
- Country
- Vietnam
Explore more: Chiang Mai city guide | Da Nang city guide | Thailand | Vietnam
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chiang Mai or Da Nang cheaper to live in?
Chiang Mai is approximately 14% cheaper than Da Nang overall.
How much does it cost to live in Chiang Mai per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Chiang Mai is approximately $673 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in Da Nang per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Da Nang is approximately $783 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between Chiang Mai and Da Nang?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $315/month in Chiang Mai and $490/month in Da Nang.