SingaporeπŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬

At a Glance

How Singapore compares across key indices

Quality of Life156Safety78Healthcare72Affordability87Climate57Clean Air32

Cost of Living

87 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

78/100

Healthcare

72/100

Quality of Life

156/200

Climate

57/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in Singapore

Cost of Living

87

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

63

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

79

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

52

100 = NYC dining

City Costs Comparison

Singapore

Cheapest

$3,792/mo

Food$163

Safety & Crime

Low Risk

How safe residents feel in Singapore β€” based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

78/100

Crime Index

22/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

54/100

Mixed perception

Walking Safety

Daytime85
Nighttime78

7 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Property crimes
Low26
Corruption & bribery
Very Low25
Drug-related crime
Very Low21
Violent crimes
Very Low18

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being insulted or harassed
Very Low24
Being physically attacked
Very Low21
Things stolen from car
Very Low21
Home broken into
Very Low19
Being mugged or robbed
Very Low19
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Very Low19
Car stolen
Very Low16

Based on 1,130 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in Singapore

Singapore has 1 city with Numbeo data. Singapore has the lowest estimated monthly cost at $3,792. Singapore leads on safety, scoring 78/100. Singapore ranks highest for quality of life at 156/200.

πŸ’ΈMost Affordable

Singapore

$3,792/mo

Safest

Singapore

78/100

Best Quality of Life

Singapore

156/200

Best Healthcare

Singapore

72/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Singapore$3,79278/100156/20072/10032

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for Singapore

Healthcare Index

72/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment93/100
Accuracy & Completeness81/100
Friendliness & Courtesy78/100
Staff Skill & Competency76/100
Speed of Service73/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist64/100
Cost Satisfaction49/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 295 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Private
40.3%
Employer Sponsored
26.4%
Public
21.7%
None
11.5%
Healthcare72Safety78Quality of Life156
Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Environment

Clean

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in Singapore

Pollution Index

32/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality86/100
Clean & Tidy82/100
Green Spaces & Parks80/100
Garbage Disposal77/100
Comfortable to Spend Time75/100
Air Quality67/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution50/100
Water Pollution24/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 327 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in Singapore

Average One-Way Commute

41minutes

Average

Traffic Index

146

Moderate congestion

Inefficiency

143

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

2.4kg/trip

How People Commute

Train/Metro32.2%
Bus/Trolleybus27.2%
Car19.2%
Walking10.9%
Motorcycle4.0%
Working from Home3.3%
Bicycle2.2%
Tram/Streetcar1.1%

Based on 277 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in Singapore, answered with data

What is the cost of living in Singapore?

Singapore has a cost of living index of 87 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $3,792 in Singapore.

Is Singapore safe for expats?

Singapore has a safety index of 78/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Singapore scores highest on safety at 78/100.

What is the best city in Singapore for expats and digital nomads?

Singapore ranks highest for quality of life in Singapore, scoring 156/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $3,792/mo for a single person.

How good is healthcare in Singapore?

Singapore scores 72/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

What is the air quality and pollution like in Singapore?

Singapore has a pollution index of 32/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.

Before You Go

Your pre-departure checklist for Singapore

Expat InsuranceRecommended Partner

Don't skip health insurance

Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.

A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR

Set Up International Banking

Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.

Get Connected

eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet β€” sorted before you land.

Book Your First Accommodation

Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.

Find Flights

Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.

Flight Deals

Freedom Abroad helps you figure out the part nobody talks about: how to actually build a life in another country. Films, tools, and data. No fluff.

Learn about our mission