Cost of Living Comparison Between Singapore and United States Cost of Living Comparison Between Singapore and United States

Name: United States
Address: US

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,475 per month in Singapore vs $2,626 in United States, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,242 per month in Singapore vs $3,830 in United States, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,008 per month in Singapore vs $5,033 in United States, rent included.

The cost of living in Singapore is about 32% higher than in United States on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both Singapore and United States are pricier than the global median – Singapore by 152%, United States by 90%.

The regional cost range is wider in Singapore ($3,475–$3,475) than in United States ($986–$5,298), so city choice matters more there.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.08 SGD 15.31

$19.83 $19.83

-39.08%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$68.4 SGD 86.6

$78.8 $78.8

-13.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.80 SGD 11.15

$12.19 $12.19

-27.81%

Cappuccino

$5.08 SGD 6.43

$5.59 $5.59

-9.12%

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

$1.89 SGD 2.39

$2.78 $2.78

-32.01%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.21 SGD 1.53

$2.18 $2.18

-44.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.52 SGD 10.80

$5.86 $5.86

45.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.09 SGD 12.79

$8.02 $8.02

25.81%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.97 SGD 3.76

$1.07 $1.07

177.57%

White Bread (500g)

$2.44 SGD 3.09

$3.68 $3.68

-33.70%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.81 SGD 3.55

$4.66 $4.66

-39.70%

Eggs

$3.62 SGD 4.59

$4.20 $4.20

-13.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.74 SGD 26.28

$12.78 $12.78

62.28%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.73 SGD 12.32

$12.40 $12.40

-21.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$25.66 SGD 32.51

$16.90 $16.90

51.83%

Apples (1kg)

$4.47 SGD 5.66

$5.23 $5.23

-14.53%

Banana (1kg)

$3.03 SGD 3.83

$1.66 $1.66

82.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.69 SGD 5.94

$4.33 $4.33

8.31%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.18 SGD 2.76

$4.96 $4.96

-56.05%

Potato (1kg)

$2.64 SGD 3.34

$2.82 $2.82

-6.38%

Onion (1kg)

$2.34 SGD 2.97

$3.11 $3.11

-24.76%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.88 SGD 2.38

$2.19 $2.19

-14.16%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 SGD 1.74

$2.26 $2.26

-39.38%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.24 SGD 18.05

$10.35 $10.35

37.58%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.63 SGD 29.95

$14.81 $14.81

59.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.79 SGD 6.07

$2.09 $2.09

129.19%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.53 SGD 5.74

$3.65 $3.65

24.11%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.59 SGD 2.02

$2.38 $2.38

-33.19%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$102 SGD 130

$64.5 $64.5

58.89%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.67 SGD 4.65

$3.54 $3.54

3.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.80 SGD 1.01

$1.86 $1.86

-56.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.82 SGD 21.31

$30.34 $30.34

-44.56%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.45 SGD 3.10

$1.00 $1.00

145.00%

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

$160.4K SGD 203.2K

$35.5K $35.5K

351.33%

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

$149.9K SGD 189.9K

$25.9K $25.9K

479.36%

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

$162 SGD 205

$222 $222

-27.29%

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

$12.94 SGD 16.39

$61.1 $61.1

-78.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.99 SGD 34.20

$74.7 $74.7

-63.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$110 SGD 140

$44.49 $44.49

148.35%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$11.87 SGD 15.04

$22.35 $22.35

-46.89%

Cinema Ticket

$11.84 SGD 15.00

$15.03 $15.03

-21.22%

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

$1,512 SGD 1,916

$1,431 $1,431

5.65%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.7K SGD 37.6K

$25.9K $25.9K

14.80%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$80.0 SGD 101

$53.6 $53.6

49.37%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.4 SGD 67.6

$43.46 $43.46

22.80%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 SGD 141

$91.5 $91.5

21.49%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$131 SGD 166

$114 $114

15.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,007 SGD 3,810

$1,633 $1,633

84.15%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,199 SGD 2,787

$1,328 $1,328

65.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,958 SGD 7,550

$2,606 $2,606

128.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,827 SGD 4,849

$2,206 $2,206

73.44%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$23.7K SGD 30.1K

$3,323 $3,323

613.94%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$16.7K SGD 21.2K

$2,653 $2,653

531.09%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,131 SGD 5,235

$4,306 $4,306

-4.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.43

6.21

-60.87%

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

Last update for Singapore: September 8, 2026

Last update for United States: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $3,051 in Singapore vs $1,604 in United States. For reference, capital cities sit at $3,051 in Singapore and $1,360 in Columbia, TN.

Average salary: $4,259 in Singapore vs $4,526 in United States. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 90% higher in Singapore.

Dining out costs 12% more in United States.

Public transport is 270% more expensive in Singapore.

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 United States: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

United States is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 11% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.

Housing costs more in Singapore, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Singapore consistently has higher rents.

Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in United States, contributing to the overall 11% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.

$4,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in United States, but in Singapore it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.

United States is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.