🇲🇾 Penang vs 🇻🇳 Da Nang
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Da Nang is 35% cheaper than Penang
Quick answer
Comparing Penang, Malaysia and Da Nang, Vietnam: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $1,212 in Penang versus $783 in Da Nang. Da Nang is roughly 35% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $562/mo (Penang) 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: $1,212/mo in Penang 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 $562/mo in Penang · $490/mo in Da Nang.
- Cheaper overall: Da Nang ~35% cheaper than Penang.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $850/mo | $550/mo | -35% |
| Moderate | $1,212/mo | $783/mo | -35% |
| Comfortable | $1,800/mo | $1,150/mo | -36% |
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 | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $562/mo | $490/mo | -13% |
| Groceries & Food | $200/mo | $90/mo | -55% |
| Dining Out | $100/mo | $45/mo | -55% |
| Transport | $100/mo | $45/mo | -55% |
| Utilities & Internet | $100/mo | $45/mo | -55% |
| Healthcare | $80/mo | $36/mo | -55% |
| Leisure & Personal | $70/mo | $32/mo | -54% |
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)
Penang
$562
Da Nang
$490
Groceries & Food
Penang
$200
Da Nang
$90
Dining Out
Penang
$100
Da Nang
$45
Transport
Penang
$100
Da Nang
$45
Utilities & Internet
Penang
$100
Da Nang
$45
Healthcare
Penang
$80
Da Nang
$36
Leisure & Personal
Penang
$70
Da Nang
$32
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: DOSM (Malaysia), World Bank / GSO (Vietnam), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $0 | -69% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $2 | $1 | -18% |
| Eggs (12) | $1 | $1 | -9% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $2 | $3 | +18% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -19% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasi lemak (hawker) | $1 | $1 | +12% |
| Fast food combo meal | $4 | $4 | +16% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | -22% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $4 | $1 | -78% |
Housing
| Item | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom condo, center (George Town) | $562 | $490 | -13% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $265 | $328 | +24% |
| 3-bedroom condo, center | $825 | $700 | -15% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $490 | $400 | -18% |
Transport
| Item | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (Rapid Penang) | $12 | $45 | +281% |
| Grab ride (10 km) | $3 | $1 | -75% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $46 | $45 | -2% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $20 | $9 | -55% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $30 | $18 | -40% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇲🇾 Penang | 🇻🇳 Da Nang | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $3 | $2 | -41% |
Quick Facts
🇲🇾 Penang
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $1,212
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $562/mo
- Cappuccino
- $2.50
- Inexpensive meal
- $3.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $12
- Internet speed
- 80 Mbps
- Safety index
- 72/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 76/100
- Country
- Malaysia
🇻🇳 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: Penang city guide | Da Nang city guide | Malaysia | Vietnam
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Penang or Da Nang cheaper to live in?
Da Nang is approximately 35% cheaper than Penang overall.
How much does it cost to live in Penang per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Penang is approximately $1,212 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 Penang and Da Nang?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $562/month in Penang and $490/month in Da Nang.