Cost of Living: Singapore vs Australia

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

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Singapore is 123.6% more expensive than Australia. The biggest difference is in Transportation, where costs are 422.2% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Australia, you would spend about $224 in Singapore for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Transportation 422.2%

Singapore is 422.2% more expensive

Property Prices 218.0%

Singapore is 218.0% more expensive

Rent Per Month 134.5%

Singapore is 134.5% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 123.6%

Singapore is 123.6% more expensive than Australia

Most Expensive Categories

  • Transportation +422.2%
  • Property Prices +218.0%
  • Rent Per Month +134.5%

Is Singapore cheaper than Australia?

No, Australia is cheaper than Singapore

Overall, living costs in Australia are 123.6% lower than in Singapore.

Where Australia is cheaper:

  • Transportation 422.2% cheaper
  • Property Prices 218.0% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 134.5% cheaper

Where Australia is more expensive:

  • Other Expenses 58.1% more expensive
  • Mobile and Internet 29.1% more expensive
  • Household Utilities 10.1% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Singapore: 10.90 $ Australia: 16.22 $
32.8% cheaper in Singapore

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Singapore: 3,140.74 $ Australia: 1,381.57 $
127.3% more expensive in Singapore

1 liter of milk

Singapore: 3.01 $ Australia: 1.53 $
96.7% more expensive in Singapore

1 liter of gasoline

Singapore: 2.22 $ Australia: 1.18 $
88.1% more expensive in Singapore

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Australia is indeed cheaper than Singapore. You would spend approximately 123.6% on living expenses by choosing Australia over Singapore. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

123.6%

Singapore is 123.6% more expensive than Australia

Restaurants

5.7%

Singapore is 5.7% cheaper than Australia in this category

Markets

8.3%

Singapore is 8.3% more expensive than Australia in this category

Other Expenses

58.1%

Singapore is 58.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Transportation

422.2%

Singapore is 422.2% more expensive than Australia in this category

Household Utilities

10.1%

Singapore is 10.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Mobile and Internet

29.1%

Singapore is 29.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Sports And Leisure

78.4%

Singapore is 78.4% more expensive than Australia in this category

Childcare

123.0%

Singapore is 123.0% more expensive than Australia in this category

Clothing And Shoes

6.3%

Singapore is 6.3% more expensive than Australia in this category

Rent Per Month

134.5%

Singapore is 134.5% more expensive than Australia in this category

Property Prices

218.0%

Singapore is 218.0% more expensive than Australia in this category

Salaries And Financing

14.6%

Singapore is 14.6% more expensive than Australia in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Singapore Australia Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 10.90 $ 16.22 $ 32.8%
Singapore is 32.8% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 77.88 $ 77.88 $ 0.0%
Singapore is 0.0% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 7.79 $ 9.73 $ 19.9%
Singapore is 19.9% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 4.88 $ 3.48 $ 40.2%
Singapore is 40.2% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.68 $ 2.62 $ 35.9%
Singapore is 35.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.22 $ 2.16 $ 43.5%
Singapore is 43.5% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.52 $ 1.51 $ 0.7%
Singapore is 0.7% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml) 2.00 $ 5.69 $ 64.9%
Singapore is 64.9% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.49 $ 1.29 $ 93.0%
Singapore is 93.0% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 10.00 $ 7.97 $ 25.5%
Singapore is 25.5% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 2.21 $ 1.43 $ 54.5%
Singapore is 54.5% more expensive
Milk (1L) 3.01 $ 1.53 $ 96.7%
Singapore is 96.7% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.35 $ 2.45 $ 4.1%
Singapore is 4.1% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 2.92 $ 2.05 $ 42.4%
Singapore is 42.4% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 3.35 $ 4.31 $ 22.3%
Singapore is 22.3% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 19.37 $ 8.89 $ 117.9%
Singapore is 117.9% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 11.15 $ 8.44 $ 32.1%
Singapore is 32.1% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 15.21 $ 13.88 $ 9.6%
Singapore is 9.6% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 4.57 $ 3.19 $ 43.3%
Singapore is 43.3% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 2.97 $ 2.75 $ 8.0%
Singapore is 8.0% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 4.51 $ 2.93 $ 53.9%
Singapore is 53.9% more expensive
Tomatoes (1kg) 2.71 $ 4.30 $ 37.0%
Singapore is 37.0% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 2.39 $ 2.47 $ 3.2%
Singapore is 3.2% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 2.20 $ 2.14 $ 2.8%
Singapore is 2.8% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 1.86 $ 2.22 $ 16.2%
Singapore is 16.2% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 93.46 $ 97.35 $ 4.0%
Singapore is 4.0% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 13.05 $ 31.15 $ 58.1%
Singapore is 58.1% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.56 $ 2.92 $ 46.6%
Singapore is 46.6% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 3.58 $ 3.89 $ 8.0%
Singapore is 8.0% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.78 $ 1.88 $ 58.5%
Singapore is 58.5% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 16.28 $ 37.90 $ 57.0%
Singapore is 57.0% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 2.22 $ 1.18 $ 88.1%
Singapore is 88.1% more expensive
New Economy Car 140,192.38 $ 28,829.12 $ 386.3%
Singapore is 386.3% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 128,887.54 $ 22,658.59 $ 468.8%
Singapore is 468.8% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 158.22 $ 175.90 $ 10.1%
Singapore is 10.1% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 18.54 $ 26.66 $ 30.5%
Singapore is 30.5% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 37.95 $ 52.98 $ 28.4%
Singapore is 28.4% cheaper
Gym Membership 115.77 $ 47.43 $ 144.1%
Singapore is 144.1% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 12.22 $ 16.59 $ 26.3%
Singapore is 26.3% cheaper
Movie Ticket 11.68 $ 14.28 $ 18.2%
Singapore is 18.2% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 1,272.43 $ 1,570.69 $ 19.0%
Singapore is 19.0% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 29,780.50 $ 12,354.33 $ 141.1%
Singapore is 141.1% more expensive
1 Pair of Jeans 80.91 $ 71.57 $ 13.1%
Singapore is 13.1% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 42.93 $ 50.87 $ 15.6%
Singapore is 15.6% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 105.33 $ 102.13 $ 3.1%
Singapore is 3.1% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 126.28 $ 109.73 $ 15.1%
Singapore is 15.1% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 3,140.74 $ 1,381.57 $ 127.3%
Singapore is 127.3% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 2,267.71 $ 1,095.96 $ 106.9%
Singapore is 106.9% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 6,205.41 $ 2,332.99 $ 166.0%
Singapore is 166.0% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 3,723.55 $ 1,729.44 $ 115.3%
Singapore is 115.3% more expensive
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 22,697.92 $ 6,794.53 $ 234.1%
Singapore is 234.1% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 15,076.91 $ 5,084.33 $ 196.5%
Singapore is 196.5% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 4,151.48 $ 3,619.71 $ 14.7%
Singapore is 14.7% more expensive
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 3.17 6.35 50.1%
Singapore is 50.1% cheaper

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Australia. Enter your monthly expenses in Singapore 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 Singapore and Australia 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 Singapore vs Australia

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Singapore

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.
  • Higher fuel costs indicate different transportation preferences.

Australia

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 Singapore Cost of living in Australia

Related comparisons