Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Singapore and Phoenix, AZ

For one person, living is cheaper in Phoenix, AZ: $2,815 a month against $3,544 in Singapore, rent and utilities included – about $8,700 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Singapore outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

170

Cost of Living Index in Singapore
Learn more

Singapore Living Index
137

Cost of Living Index in Phoenix, AZ
Learn more

Phoenix, AZ Living Index

Jump to prices

Singapore

🇸🇬 Singapore

$3,544

/mo nomad

Phoenix, AZ

🇺🇸 United States

$2,815

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Singapore and in Phoenix, AZ

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Singapore and in Phoenix, AZ actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,544 in Singapore versus $2,815 in Phoenix, AZ.

Singapore $3,544
Phoenix, AZ $2,815

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,318 in Singapore versus $4,082 in Phoenix, AZ.

Singapore $5,318
Phoenix, AZ $4,082

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,093 in Singapore versus $5,348 in Phoenix, AZ.

Singapore $7,093
Phoenix, AZ $5,348

Living in Singapore is roughly 26% more expensive than in Phoenix, AZ, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in leisure.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Singapore 160% above, Phoenix, AZ 107% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.62 SGD 14.89

$19.80 $19.80

-41.31%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.4 SGD 95.4

$86.5 $86.5

-13.98%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.35 SGD 10.69

$14.23 $14.23

-41.32%

Cappuccino

$5.24 SGD 6.71

$6.07 $6.07

-13.67%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.83 SGD 2.34

$3.20 $3.20

-42.81%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 SGD 1.64

$2.45 $2.45

-47.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.33 SGD 10.68

$5.91 $5.91

40.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.99 SGD 12.80

$7.85 $7.85

27.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.99 SGD 3.83

$0.78 $0.78

283.33%

White Bread (500g)

$2.58 SGD 3.31

$3.95 $3.95

-34.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.77 SGD 3.55

$6.18 $6.18

-55.18%

Eggs

$3.76 SGD 4.82

$4.38 $4.38

-14.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.85 SGD 26.71

$14.01 $14.01

48.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.01 SGD 12.82

$12.89 $12.89

-22.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$25.28 SGD 32.39

$14.68 $14.68

72.21%

Apples (1kg)

$4.52 SGD 5.79

$5.47 $5.47

-17.37%

Banana (1kg)

$3.19 SGD 4.09

$1.90 $1.90

67.89%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.57 SGD 5.86

$4.27 $4.27

7.03%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.17 SGD 2.78

$5.96 $5.96

-63.59%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 SGD 3.18

$3.68 $3.68

-32.61%

Onion (1kg)

$2.33 SGD 2.99

$3.14 $3.14

-25.80%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.91 SGD 2.44

$2.26 $2.26

-15.49%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 SGD 1.85

$2.66 $2.66

-45.49%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.85 SGD 17.74

$11.17 $11.17

23.99%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.38 SGD 29.95

$14.12 $14.12

65.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.69 SGD 6.01

$2.40 $2.40

95.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.80 SGD 6.15

$2.95 $2.95

62.71%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.52 SGD 1.94

$1.97 $1.97

-22.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$96.6 SGD 124

$62.7 $62.7

54.03%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.71 SGD 4.76

$2.83 $2.83

31.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.81 SGD 1.03

$1.42 $1.42

-42.96%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.41 SGD 21.03

$36.63 $36.63

-55.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.53 SGD 3.24

$1.19 $1.19

112.61%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$156.9K SGD 201.0K

$36.7K $36.7K

327.80%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$154.6K SGD 198.0K

$26.7K $26.7K

478.89%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$170 SGD 218

$233 $233

-27.21%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.39 SGD 15.88

$77.7 $77.7

-84.05%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.02 SGD 35.90

$75.3 $75.3

-62.77%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$111 SGD 143

$56.5 $56.5

97.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.09 SGD 15.49

$19.46 $19.46

-37.87%

Cinema Ticket

$12.21 SGD 15.65

$13.71 $13.71

-10.94%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,878 SGD 2,406

$1,644 $1,644

14.22%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.1K SGD 37.3K

$23.2K $23.2K

25.70%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$76.8 SGD 98.4

$60.2 $60.2

27.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.5 SGD 66.0

$46.42 $46.42

11.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$107 SGD 137

$103 $103

3.69%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 SGD 158

$127 $127

-3.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,098 SGD 3,969

$1,755 $1,755

76.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,213 SGD 2,836

$1,341 $1,341

65.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,983 SGD 7,667

$3,082 $3,082

94.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$4,088 SGD 5,238

$2,097 $2,097

94.93%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$23.1K SGD 29.6K

$4,507 $4,507

412.81%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$16.7K SGD 21.4K

$2,990 $2,990

458.56%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,464 SGD 5,720

$4,196 $4,196

6.39%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.44

6.63

-63.20%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Singapore: October 25, 2026

Last update for Phoenix, AZ: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Singapore

$2.2K 62.5%

Phoenix, AZ

$1.3K 47.6% 39.4% $873

Groceries & Markets

Singapore

$458 12.9%

Phoenix, AZ

$430 15.3% 6.1% $28

Eating Out

Singapore

$255 7.2%

Phoenix, AZ

$342 12.1% 34.1% $87

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Singapore

$210 5.9%

Phoenix, AZ

$386 13.7% 83.7% $176

Clothing & Footwear

Singapore

$161 4.6%

Phoenix, AZ

$152 5.4% 5.9% $9.6

Sport & Entertainment

Singapore

$136 3.8%

Phoenix, AZ

$84 3% 38.2% $52

Getting Around

Singapore

$110 3.1%

Phoenix, AZ

$81 2.9% 27.1% $30

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $3,098 in Singapore and $1,755 in Phoenix, AZ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Singapore pays 6% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $74 in Singapore vs $87 in Phoenix, AZ. Groceries flip the comparison at $458 vs $430, with Phoenix, AZ cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know

🇸🇬 Singapore

🇺🇸 Phoenix, AZ

🕒 Local time

19:08 7:08 PM

04:08 4:08 AM

15 h behind Singapore

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

5,535,002 Capital

1,608,139

💱 Currency

Singapore Dollar SGD $

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 SGD = 0.78 USD

1 SGD = 0.701 EUR

1 USD = 0.899 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to SGD – Singapore Dollar Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇸🇬 Singapore Dollar ($)

Singapore Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 1.28 SGD (1 SGD = 0.78 USD). 1 EUR = 1.43 SGD (1 SGD = 0.701 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.899 EUR).

USD to SGD in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Singapore Phoenix, AZ 14,630 km ≈ 19 h nonstop flight

From you

Singapore
Phoenix, AZ

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Singapore vs Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Phoenix, AZ is cheaper overall, especially in leisure, transport, and groceries. The 26% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

Average pay runs 6% higher in Singapore, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $3,098 in Singapore versus $1,755 in Phoenix, AZ. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you’ll spend $3,544 per month in Singapore versus $2,815 in Phoenix, AZ – a 26% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Phoenix, AZ runs roughly 35% less than in Singapore. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you’re watching your budget.

Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Phoenix, AZ is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

It comes down to priorities – Phoenix, AZ wins on affordability, Singapore on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.