Cost of Living: Canada vs Singapore

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Canada and Singapore.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Canada is 55.0% cheaper than Singapore. The biggest difference is in Mobile and Internet, where costs are 90.1% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Singapore, you would spend about $45 in Canada for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Transportation 83.2%

Canada is 83.2% cheaper

Property Prices 69.6%

Canada is 69.6% cheaper

Childcare 59.0%

Canada is 59.0% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 55.0%

Canada is 55.0% cheaper than Singapore

Most Expensive Categories

  • Mobile and Internet +90.1%
  • Restaurants +11.9%
  • Other Expenses +11.6%

Is Canada cheaper than Singapore?

Yes, Canada is cheaper than Singapore

Overall, living costs in Canada are 55.0% lower than in Singapore.

Where Canada is cheaper:

  • Transportation 83.2% cheaper
  • Property Prices 69.6% cheaper
  • Childcare 59.0% cheaper

Where Canada is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 90.1% more expensive
  • Restaurants 11.9% more expensive
  • Other Expenses 11.6% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Canada: 18.20 $ Singapore: 10.90 $
67.0% more expensive in Canada

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Canada: 1,339.05 $ Singapore: 3,140.74 $
57.4% cheaper in Canada

Monthly public transport pass

Canada: 76.38 $ Singapore: 93.46 $
18.3% cheaper in Canada

1 liter of milk

Canada: 2.24 $ Singapore: 3.01 $
25.6% cheaper in Canada

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Canada is indeed cheaper than Singapore. You would save approximately 55.0% on living expenses by choosing Canada over Singapore. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

55.0%

Canada is 55.0% cheaper than Singapore

Restaurants

11.9%

Canada is 11.9% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Markets

13.6%

Canada is 13.6% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Other Expenses

11.6%

Canada is 11.6% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Transportation

83.2%

Canada is 83.2% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Household Utilities

4.7%

Canada is 4.7% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Mobile and Internet

90.1%

Canada is 90.1% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Sports And Leisure

48.9%

Canada is 48.9% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Childcare

59.0%

Canada is 59.0% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Clothing And Shoes

17.8%

Canada is 17.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Rent Per Month

57.5%

Canada is 57.5% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Property Prices

69.6%

Canada is 69.6% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Salaries And Financing

30.9%

Canada is 30.9% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Canada Singapore Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 18.20 $ 10.90 $ 67.0%
Canada is 67.0% more expensive
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 72.81 $ 77.88 $ 6.5%
Canada is 6.5% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 10.92 $ 7.79 $ 40.2%
Canada is 40.2% more expensive
Regular Cappuccino 3.77 $ 4.88 $ 22.7%
Canada is 22.7% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 2.10 $ 1.68 $ 25.0%
Canada is 25.0% more expensive
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.70 $ 1.22 $ 39.3%
Canada is 39.3% more expensive
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.81 $ 1.52 $ 19.1%
Canada is 19.1% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 3.47 $ 2.00 $ 73.5%
Canada is 73.5% more expensive
Imported Beer (330ml) 4.55 $ 2.49 $ 82.7%
Canada is 82.7% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 11.71 $ 10.00 $ 17.1%
Canada is 17.1% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 6.07 $ 2.21 $ 174.7%
Canada is 174.7% more expensive
Milk (1L) 2.24 $ 3.01 $ 25.6%
Canada is 25.6% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.70 $ 2.35 $ 14.9%
Canada is 14.9% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 3.66 $ 2.92 $ 25.3%
Canada is 25.3% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 3.51 $ 3.35 $ 4.8%
Canada is 4.8% more expensive
Local Cheese (1kg) 11.48 $ 19.37 $ 40.7%
Canada is 40.7% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 12.22 $ 11.15 $ 9.6%
Canada is 9.6% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 14.97 $ 15.21 $ 1.6%
Canada is 1.6% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 4.20 $ 4.57 $ 8.1%
Canada is 8.1% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.44 $ 2.97 $ 51.5%
Canada is 51.5% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 3.85 $ 4.51 $ 14.6%
Canada is 14.6% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 4.14 $ 2.71 $ 52.8%
Canada is 52.8% more expensive
Potatoes (1kg) 2.67 $ 2.39 $ 11.7%
Canada is 11.7% more expensive
Onions (1kg) 2.66 $ 2.20 $ 20.9%
Canada is 20.9% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 2.55 $ 1.86 $ 37.1%
Canada is 37.1% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 76.38 $ 93.46 $ 18.3%
Canada is 18.3% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 14.56 $ 13.05 $ 11.6%
Canada is 11.6% more expensive
Single Bus/Train Ticket 2.55 $ 1.56 $ 63.5%
Canada is 63.5% more expensive
Taxi Base Fare 3.42 $ 3.58 $ 4.5%
Canada is 4.5% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 1.59 $ 0.78 $ 103.8%
Canada is 103.8% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 28.35 $ 16.28 $ 74.1%
Canada is 74.1% more expensive
Gasoline (1L) 1.17 $ 2.22 $ 47.3%
Canada is 47.3% cheaper
New Economy Car 24,739.68 $ 140,192.38 $ 82.4%
Canada is 82.4% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 20,433.99 $ 128,887.54 $ 84.1%
Canada is 84.1% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 150.84 $ 158.22 $ 4.7%
Canada is 4.7% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 45.41 $ 18.54 $ 144.9%
Canada is 144.9% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 61.96 $ 37.95 $ 63.3%
Canada is 63.3% more expensive
Gym Membership 42.65 $ 115.77 $ 63.2%
Canada is 63.2% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 17.42 $ 12.22 $ 42.6%
Canada is 42.6% more expensive
Movie Ticket 11.36 $ 11.68 $ 2.7%
Canada is 2.7% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 802.92 $ 1,272.43 $ 36.9%
Canada is 36.9% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 11,932.95 $ 29,780.50 $ 59.9%
Canada is 59.9% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 55.66 $ 80.91 $ 31.2%
Canada is 31.2% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 41.19 $ 42.93 $ 4.1%
Canada is 4.1% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 88.39 $ 105.33 $ 16.1%
Canada is 16.1% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 107.04 $ 126.28 $ 15.2%
Canada is 15.2% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,339.05 $ 3,140.74 $ 57.4%
Canada is 57.4% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,186.00 $ 2,267.71 $ 47.7%
Canada is 47.7% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 2,143.71 $ 6,205.41 $ 65.5%
Canada is 65.5% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,856.86 $ 3,723.55 $ 50.1%
Canada is 50.1% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 6,761.35 $ 22,697.92 $ 70.2%
Canada is 70.2% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 4,732.37 $ 15,076.91 $ 68.6%
Canada is 68.6% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 2,865.96 $ 4,151.48 $ 31.0%
Canada is 31.0% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 6.35 3.17 100.3%
Canada is 100.3% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Singapore. Enter your monthly expenses in Canada to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Canada and Singapore goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Canada vs Singapore

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Canada

Singapore

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Canada Cost of living in Singapore

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