Cost of Living: Singapore vs Canada

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

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Singapore is 126.8% more expensive than Canada. The biggest difference is in Transportation, where costs are 495.2% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Canada, you would spend about $227 in Singapore for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Transportation 495.2%

Singapore is 495.2% more expensive

Property Prices 228.7%

Singapore is 228.7% more expensive

Childcare 143.8%

Singapore is 143.8% more expensive

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 126.8%

Singapore is 126.8% more expensive than Canada

Most Expensive Categories

  • Transportation +495.2%
  • Property Prices +228.7%
  • Childcare +143.8%

Is Singapore cheaper than Canada?

No, Canada is cheaper than Singapore

Overall, living costs in Canada are 126.8% lower than in Singapore.

Where Canada is cheaper:

  • Transportation 495.2% cheaper
  • Property Prices 228.7% cheaper
  • Childcare 143.8% cheaper

Where Canada is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 47.4% more expensive
  • Restaurants 10.6% more expensive
  • Other Expenses 10.4% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Singapore: 10.90 $ Canada: 18.20 $
40.1% cheaper in Singapore

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Singapore: 3,140.74 $ Canada: 1,339.05 $
134.5% more expensive in Singapore

Monthly public transport pass

Singapore: 93.46 $ Canada: 76.38 $
22.4% more expensive in Singapore

1 liter of milk

Singapore: 3.01 $ Canada: 2.24 $
34.4% more expensive in Singapore

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Canada is indeed cheaper than Singapore. You would spend approximately 126.8% 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

126.8%

Singapore is 126.8% more expensive than Canada

Restaurants

10.6%

Singapore is 10.6% cheaper than Canada in this category

Markets

15.7%

Singapore is 15.7% more expensive than Canada in this category

Other Expenses

10.4%

Singapore is 10.4% cheaper than Canada in this category

Transportation

495.2%

Singapore is 495.2% more expensive than Canada in this category

Household Utilities

4.9%

Singapore is 4.9% more expensive than Canada in this category

Mobile and Internet

47.4%

Singapore is 47.4% cheaper than Canada in this category

Sports And Leisure

95.5%

Singapore is 95.5% more expensive than Canada in this category

Childcare

143.8%

Singapore is 143.8% more expensive than Canada in this category

Clothing And Shoes

21.6%

Singapore is 21.6% more expensive than Canada in this category

Rent Per Month

135.0%

Singapore is 135.0% more expensive than Canada in this category

Property Prices

228.7%

Singapore is 228.7% more expensive than Canada in this category

Salaries And Financing

44.6%

Singapore is 44.6% more expensive than Canada in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Singapore Canada Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 10.90 $ 18.20 $ 40.1%
Singapore is 40.1% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 77.88 $ 72.81 $ 7.0%
Singapore is 7.0% more expensive
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 7.79 $ 10.92 $ 28.7%
Singapore is 28.7% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 4.88 $ 3.77 $ 29.4%
Singapore is 29.4% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.68 $ 2.10 $ 20.0%
Singapore is 20.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 1.22 $ 1.70 $ 28.2%
Singapore is 28.2% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.52 $ 1.81 $ 16.0%
Singapore is 16.0% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 2.00 $ 3.47 $ 42.4%
Singapore is 42.4% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.49 $ 4.55 $ 45.3%
Singapore is 45.3% cheaper
Mid-Range Wine 10.00 $ 11.71 $ 14.6%
Singapore is 14.6% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 2.21 $ 6.07 $ 63.6%
Singapore is 63.6% cheaper
Milk (1L) 3.01 $ 2.24 $ 34.4%
Singapore is 34.4% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 2.35 $ 2.70 $ 13.0%
Singapore is 13.0% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 2.92 $ 3.66 $ 20.2%
Singapore is 20.2% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 3.35 $ 3.51 $ 4.6%
Singapore is 4.6% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 19.37 $ 11.48 $ 68.7%
Singapore is 68.7% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 11.15 $ 12.22 $ 8.8%
Singapore is 8.8% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 15.21 $ 14.97 $ 1.6%
Singapore is 1.6% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 4.57 $ 4.20 $ 8.8%
Singapore is 8.8% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 2.97 $ 1.44 $ 106.3%
Singapore is 106.3% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 4.51 $ 3.85 $ 17.1%
Singapore is 17.1% more expensive
Tomatoes (1kg) 2.71 $ 4.14 $ 34.5%
Singapore is 34.5% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 2.39 $ 2.67 $ 10.5%
Singapore is 10.5% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 2.20 $ 2.66 $ 17.3%
Singapore is 17.3% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.86 $ 2.55 $ 27.1%
Singapore is 27.1% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 93.46 $ 76.38 $ 22.4%
Singapore is 22.4% more expensive
Cigarettes (20 pack) 13.05 $ 14.56 $ 10.4%
Singapore is 10.4% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.56 $ 2.55 $ 38.8%
Singapore is 38.8% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 3.58 $ 3.42 $ 4.7%
Singapore is 4.7% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 0.78 $ 1.59 $ 50.9%
Singapore is 50.9% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 16.28 $ 28.35 $ 42.6%
Singapore is 42.6% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 2.22 $ 1.17 $ 89.7%
Singapore is 89.7% more expensive
New Economy Car 140,192.38 $ 24,739.68 $ 466.7%
Singapore is 466.7% more expensive
New Mid-Range Car 128,887.54 $ 20,433.99 $ 530.8%
Singapore is 530.8% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 158.22 $ 150.84 $ 4.9%
Singapore is 4.9% more expensive
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 18.54 $ 45.41 $ 59.2%
Singapore is 59.2% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 37.95 $ 61.96 $ 38.8%
Singapore is 38.8% cheaper
Gym Membership 115.77 $ 42.65 $ 171.4%
Singapore is 171.4% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 12.22 $ 17.42 $ 29.9%
Singapore is 29.9% cheaper
Movie Ticket 11.68 $ 11.36 $ 2.8%
Singapore is 2.8% more expensive
Private Preschool (Full Day) 1,272.43 $ 802.92 $ 58.5%
Singapore is 58.5% more expensive
International School (Yearly) 29,780.50 $ 11,932.95 $ 149.6%
Singapore is 149.6% more expensive
1 Pair of Jeans 80.91 $ 55.66 $ 45.4%
Singapore is 45.4% more expensive
1 Summer Dress 42.93 $ 41.19 $ 4.2%
Singapore is 4.2% more expensive
1 Pair of Running Shoes 105.33 $ 88.39 $ 19.2%
Singapore is 19.2% more expensive
1 Pair of Business Shoes 126.28 $ 107.04 $ 18.0%
Singapore is 18.0% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 3,140.74 $ 1,339.05 $ 134.5%
Singapore is 134.5% more expensive
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 2,267.71 $ 1,186.00 $ 91.2%
Singapore is 91.2% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 6,205.41 $ 2,143.71 $ 189.5%
Singapore is 189.5% more expensive
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 3,723.55 $ 1,856.86 $ 100.5%
Singapore is 100.5% more expensive
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 22,697.92 $ 6,761.35 $ 235.7%
Singapore is 235.7% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 15,076.91 $ 4,732.37 $ 218.6%
Singapore is 218.6% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 4,151.48 $ 2,865.96 $ 44.9%
Singapore is 44.9% 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 Canada. 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 Canada 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 Canada

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.

Canada

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 Canada

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