Da Nang vs Siem Reap

Real cost of living, rent, internet, safety and visa terms for both cities, side by side — then open the interactive tool to weight them against your own priorities.

Da Nang, Vietnam
🇻🇳Vietnam

Da Nang

80Freedom Score#18Global rank$700Per month

Vietnam's most liveable city: 30km of beach, fast-growing infrastructure, ultra-low cost, and access to the ancient town of Hội An nearby.

Siem Reap, Cambodia
🇰🇭Cambodia

Siem Reap

64Freedom Score#71Global rank$885Per month

Gateway to Angkor Wat — sunrise over the world's largest religious monument, a laid-back café scene, and a long-stay visa built for nomads.

The short answer

Compare these two in the full toolBoth cities pre-loaded — add your income and priorities to get a personal match score

Cost of living

Monthly figures for one person. Rent, meals and coworking are measured values, not shares of the total budget.

ExpenseDa NangSiem Reap
Comfortable budgetper month, all in$700$885
Rent, 1BR city centre$450$334
Meal, mid-range$2$5
Coworking deskper month$140n.a.
Cost of living indexlower is cheaper26.332.0

Quality of life

Scored 0–100 on the same attributes the match engine weights, so these agree with the interactive tool.

MeasureDa NangSiem Reap
Safety
75
68
Healthcare
60
40
Walkability
65
58
English spoken
65
42
Food & dining
80
68
Nightlife
60
55
Outdoors
78
36
Nomad community
70
55
Climate quality
82
68
Public transit
75
25

Scores, connectivity and paperwork

MeasureDa NangSiem Reap
Freedom Score80/10064/100
Global rankof 100 cities#18#71
Internet220 Mbps55 Mbps
Average temperature79°F82°F
Air quality70/10045/100
Airport connectivity70/10058/100
Nomad visa45 daysLong-stay visa
Headline tax rateon local income10%10%

Which should you choose?

Choose Da Nang if runs $185/mo cheaper, internet is faster at 220 Mbps, it scores higher on safety (75 vs 68) and it is more walkable.

Choose Siem Reap if rent is $116/mo lower.

What each city is known for

Da Nang

  • Cheapest comfortable lifestyle of any city on this list
  • 30km of white-sand beach — surf in the morning, trade at night
  • Hội An Ancient Town: one of the world's most photogenic cities
  • Da Nang airport expanding — growing direct international routes

Siem Reap

  • Angkor Wat: the largest religious monument on earth
  • 6–12 month long-stay visa
  • Tiny expat town, easy community
  • Temples, rice paddies, low costs

Frequently asked questions

Which is better for digital nomads: Da Nang or Siem Reap?
Da Nang scores higher on the Freedom Score (80/100 against 64/100), which makes it the stronger all-round base. That is an average, though — if cost, climate or community is what actually decides it for you, the tables above will point the other way as often as not.
Which is cheaper: Da Nang or Siem Reap?
Da Nang is cheaper. A comfortable monthly budget is $700 against $885, a difference of $185 a month or about $2,220 a year. Rent is the biggest single line: $450/mo in Da Nang versus $334/mo in Siem Reap.
Which is safer: Da Nang or Siem Reap?
Da Nang scores higher on safety, 75/100 against 68/100. Safety scores blend crime levels, political stability and healthcare access, and they describe a city as a whole — individual neighbourhoods vary far more than the headline number suggests.
How fast is the internet in Da Nang and Siem Reap?
Da Nang averages 220 Mbps and Siem Reap averages 55 Mbps, so Da Nang has the headroom if you push large files or run video calls all day.
What visa would I need for Da Nang or Siem Reap?
Da Nang sits in Vietnam (45 days) and Siem Reap in Cambodia (Long-stay visa). Requirements, income floors and processing times change often, so check the visa and residency guide before you commit to either.
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