Cost of Living: Zimbabwe vs Singapore

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

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Zimbabwe is 88.2% cheaper than Singapore. The biggest difference is in Property Prices, where costs are 95.9% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Singapore, you would spend about $12 in Zimbabwe for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Property Prices 95.9%

Zimbabwe is 95.9% cheaper

Salaries And Financing 91.3%

Zimbabwe is 91.3% cheaper

Other Expenses 90.4%

Zimbabwe is 90.4% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 88.2%

Zimbabwe is 88.2% cheaper than Singapore

Most Expensive Categories

  • Mobile and Internet +90.8%

Is Zimbabwe cheaper than Singapore?

Yes, Zimbabwe is cheaper than Singapore

Overall, living costs in Zimbabwe are 88.2% lower than in Singapore.

Where Zimbabwe is cheaper:

  • Property Prices 95.9% cheaper
  • Salaries And Financing 91.3% cheaper
  • Other Expenses 90.4% cheaper

Where Zimbabwe is more expensive:

  • Mobile and Internet 90.8% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Zimbabwe: 6.66 $ Singapore: 10.90 $
38.9% cheaper in Zimbabwe

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Zimbabwe: 328.46 $ Singapore: 3,140.74 $
89.5% cheaper in Zimbabwe

Monthly public transport pass

Zimbabwe: 30.00 $ Singapore: 93.46 $
67.9% cheaper in Zimbabwe

1 liter of milk

Zimbabwe: 1.56 $ Singapore: 3.01 $
48.2% cheaper in Zimbabwe

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Zimbabwe is indeed cheaper than Singapore. You would save approximately 88.2% on living expenses by choosing Zimbabwe over Singapore. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

88.2%

Zimbabwe is 88.2% cheaper than Singapore

Restaurants

35.6%

Zimbabwe is 35.6% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Markets

58.5%

Zimbabwe is 58.5% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Other Expenses

90.4%

Zimbabwe is 90.4% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Transportation

82.0%

Zimbabwe is 82.0% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Household Utilities

66.0%

Zimbabwe is 66.0% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Mobile and Internet

90.8%

Zimbabwe is 90.8% more expensive than Singapore in this category

Sports And Leisure

49.3%

Zimbabwe is 49.3% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Childcare

72.8%

Zimbabwe is 72.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Clothing And Shoes

66.9%

Zimbabwe is 66.9% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Rent Per Month

87.8%

Zimbabwe is 87.8% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Property Prices

95.9%

Zimbabwe is 95.9% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Salaries And Financing

91.3%

Zimbabwe is 91.3% cheaper than Singapore in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Zimbabwe Singapore Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 6.66 $ 10.90 $ 38.9%
Zimbabwe is 38.9% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 50.00 $ 77.88 $ 35.8%
Zimbabwe is 35.8% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 6.00 $ 7.79 $ 23.0%
Zimbabwe is 23.0% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 2.74 $ 4.88 $ 43.9%
Zimbabwe is 43.9% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.75 $ 1.68 $ 55.4%
Zimbabwe is 55.4% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.49 $ 1.22 $ 59.8%
Zimbabwe is 59.8% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.06 $ 1.52 $ 30.3%
Zimbabwe is 30.3% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.07 $ 2.49 $ 16.9%
Zimbabwe is 16.9% cheaper
Milk (1L) 1.56 $ 3.01 $ 48.2%
Zimbabwe is 48.2% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 1.01 $ 2.35 $ 57.0%
Zimbabwe is 57.0% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.87 $ 2.92 $ 36.0%
Zimbabwe is 36.0% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 2.11 $ 3.35 $ 37.0%
Zimbabwe is 37.0% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 10.28 $ 19.37 $ 46.9%
Zimbabwe is 46.9% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 5.65 $ 11.15 $ 49.3%
Zimbabwe is 49.3% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 2.66 $ 4.57 $ 41.8%
Zimbabwe is 41.8% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 1.77 $ 2.97 $ 40.4%
Zimbabwe is 40.4% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 2.10 $ 4.51 $ 53.4%
Zimbabwe is 53.4% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 1.61 $ 2.71 $ 40.6%
Zimbabwe is 40.6% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 1.57 $ 2.39 $ 34.3%
Zimbabwe is 34.3% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 1.79 $ 2.20 $ 18.6%
Zimbabwe is 18.6% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 1.07 $ 1.86 $ 42.5%
Zimbabwe is 42.5% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 30.00 $ 93.46 $ 67.9%
Zimbabwe is 67.9% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 1.25 $ 13.05 $ 90.4%
Zimbabwe is 90.4% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.00 $ 1.56 $ 35.9%
Zimbabwe is 35.9% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 5.00 $ 3.58 $ 39.7%
Zimbabwe is 39.7% more expensive
Taxi per Kilometer 2.00 $ 0.78 $ 156.4%
Zimbabwe is 156.4% more expensive
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 5.00 $ 16.28 $ 69.3%
Zimbabwe is 69.3% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.58 $ 2.22 $ 28.8%
Zimbabwe is 28.8% cheaper
New Economy Car 23,500.00 $ 140,192.38 $ 83.2%
Zimbabwe is 83.2% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 24,875.00 $ 128,887.54 $ 80.7%
Zimbabwe is 80.7% cheaper
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 53.76 $ 158.22 $ 66.0%
Zimbabwe is 66.0% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 17.44 $ 18.54 $ 5.9%
Zimbabwe is 5.9% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 90.32 $ 37.95 $ 138.0%
Zimbabwe is 138.0% more expensive
Gym Membership 50.00 $ 115.77 $ 56.8%
Zimbabwe is 56.8% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 10.88 $ 12.22 $ 11.0%
Zimbabwe is 11.0% cheaper
Movie Ticket 10.00 $ 11.68 $ 14.4%
Zimbabwe is 14.4% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 223.85 $ 1,272.43 $ 82.4%
Zimbabwe is 82.4% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 8,230.00 $ 29,780.50 $ 72.4%
Zimbabwe is 72.4% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 18.65 $ 80.91 $ 76.9%
Zimbabwe is 76.9% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 20.31 $ 42.93 $ 52.7%
Zimbabwe is 52.7% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 36.47 $ 105.33 $ 65.4%
Zimbabwe is 65.4% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 42.22 $ 126.28 $ 66.6%
Zimbabwe is 66.6% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 328.46 $ 3,140.74 $ 89.5%
Zimbabwe is 89.5% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 230.95 $ 2,267.71 $ 89.8%
Zimbabwe is 89.8% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 780.00 $ 6,205.41 $ 87.4%
Zimbabwe is 87.4% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 524.80 $ 3,723.55 $ 85.9%
Zimbabwe is 85.9% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 975.00 $ 22,697.92 $ 95.7%
Zimbabwe is 95.7% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 583.13 $ 15,076.91 $ 96.1%
Zimbabwe is 96.1% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 348.03 $ 4,151.48 $ 91.6%
Zimbabwe is 91.6% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 13.50 3.17 325.9%
Zimbabwe is 325.9% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

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

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

Cultural Cost Differences

Zimbabwe

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 Zimbabwe Cost of living in Singapore

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