Cost of Living Comparison Between Singapore and Raleigh, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Singapore and Raleigh, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,526 per month in Singapore vs $2,850 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,195 per month in Singapore vs $4,128 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,865 per month in Singapore vs $5,406 in Raleigh, NC, rent included.

Singapore costs about 24% more than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Singapore and Raleigh, NC sit above the global median – Singapore by 162%, Raleigh, NC by 112%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.79 SGD 13.82

$19.36 $19.36

-44.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.4 SGD 100

$75.5 $75.5

3.88%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.99 SGD 10.23

$10.15 $10.15

-21.28%

Cappuccino

$5.03 SGD 6.45

$5.31 $5.31

-5.27%

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

$1.63 SGD 2.09

$2.34 $2.34

-30.34%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.23 SGD 1.58

$1.98 $1.98

-37.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.59 SGD 9.73

$5.53 $5.53

37.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.56 SGD 12.24

$5.83 $5.83

63.98%

Milk (1 liter)

$3.03 SGD 3.88

$0.86 $0.86

252.33%

White Bread (500g)

$2.29 SGD 2.94

$4.08 $4.08

-43.87%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.80 SGD 3.58

$3.16 $3.16

-11.39%

Eggs

$3.39 SGD 4.34

$4.71 $4.71

-28.03%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.81 SGD 25.37

$13.60 $13.60

45.66%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.09 SGD 14.21

$11.55 $11.55

-3.98%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.19 SGD 28.43

$16.44 $16.44

34.98%

Apples (1kg)

$4.45 SGD 5.70

$6.73 $6.73

-33.88%

Banana (1kg)

$2.88 SGD 3.69

$1.46 $1.46

97.26%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.00 SGD 6.40

$5.58 $5.58

-10.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.70 SGD 3.46

$6.09 $6.09

-55.67%

Potato (1kg)

$2.51 SGD 3.22

$3.66 $3.66

-31.42%

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 SGD 2.79

$4.09 $4.09

-46.70%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.01 SGD 2.58

$2.25 $2.25

-10.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.50 SGD 1.92

$2.24 $2.24

-33.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.51 SGD 17.30

$7.68 $7.68

75.91%

Wine (Bottle)

$24.89 SGD 31.88

$14.77 $14.77

68.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.21 SGD 5.40

$2.02 $2.02

108.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.24 SGD 6.71

$3.04 $3.04

72.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.52 SGD 1.94

$2.05 $2.05

-25.85%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$93.7 SGD 120

$45.71 $45.71

104.97%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.64 SGD 4.66

$2.57 $2.57

41.63%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.77 SGD 0.99

$1.69 $1.69

-54.44%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.58 SGD 21.24

$15.13 $15.13

9.58%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.20 SGD 2.82

$0.80 $0.80

175.00%

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

$138.8K SGD 177.9K

$29.5K $29.5K

370.54%

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

$131.4K SGD 168.3K

$26.1K $26.1K

403.99%

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

$156 SGD 200

$187 $187

-16.22%

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

$18.60 SGD 23.83

$63.8 $63.8

-70.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.04 SGD 47.45

$72.2 $72.2

-48.68%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$118 SGD 152

$40.04 $40.04

195.38%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.44 SGD 15.93

$34.03 $34.03

-63.44%

Cinema Ticket

$11.91 SGD 15.26

$14.86 $14.86

-19.85%

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

$1,192 SGD 1,527

$1,492 $1,492

-20.09%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K SGD 38.1K

$24.1K $24.1K

23.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$82.0 SGD 105

$52.3 $52.3

56.73%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.58 SGD 55.8

$48.35 $48.35

-9.87%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$107 SGD 137

$101 $101

5.67%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$127 SGD 163

$137 $137

-7.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,127 SGD 4,006

$1,792 $1,792

74.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,262 SGD 2,897

$1,573 $1,573

43.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$6,187 SGD 7,926

$3,003 $3,003

106.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,694 SGD 4,733

$2,419 $2,419

52.74%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$23.8K SGD 30.5K

$3,872 $3,872

515.32%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$16.1K SGD 20.7K

$2,199 $2,199

633.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,298 SGD 5,506

$4,384 $4,384

-1.98%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

3.19

6.53

-51.15%

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

Last update for Singapore: June 7, 2026

Last update for Raleigh, NC: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,127 in Singapore versus $1,792 in Raleigh, NC. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 2% higher in Raleigh, NC, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $78.0 in Singapore versus $75.0 in Raleigh, NC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $452 vs $425 – making Raleigh, NC the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Raleigh, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Singapore costs about 24% more than Raleigh, NC, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,288 per month in Singapore and $4,275 in Raleigh, NC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Raleigh, NC, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Public transport costs about 105% less in Raleigh, NC. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $1,192 per month in Singapore and $1,492 in Raleigh, NC. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,526 in Singapore and $2,850 in Raleigh, NC. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Raleigh, NC – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Raleigh, NC. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Singapore makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.