Cost of Living Singapore vs Australia: Which Is Cheaper?

Does everyday life cost more in Singapore or Australia? The answer depends on where you live, the home you rent, how you travel and who shares your budget.

I’ll break down the cost of living in Singapore vs Australia, covering rent, food, transport, household bills, healthcare and family expenses. Comparing Singapore with Sydney can produce a different result from comparing it with the cost of living in Perth or Melbourne.

Whether you’re simply curious or weighing up living in Singapore vs Australia, this guide will show where your money could go.

If you’re planning a move, our Singapore international removals service can help you organise the transport of your household belongings.

Is Singapore More Expensive Than Australia?

Typically, yes, especially when you include rent. Overall costs are 38% higher in Singapore than in Australia, according to Expatistan’s crowd-sourced comparison, last updated 29 September 2026. Remember, this is an estimate, not an exact figure for your household bills.

Expense	What to Expect
Housing	Singapore’s comparable furnished rentals are higher in this dataset.
Groceries	Mixed: milk costs more in Singapore, while eggs cost less.
Dining	Basic lunches cost less in Singapore; premium dining can cost more.
Public Transport	Monthly tickets are similar in this comparison.
Car Ownership	Singapore adds COE costs and substantial vehicle taxes.
Family Costs	Compare school fees, childcare and subsidy eligibility separately.

Sources: Expatistan’s September 2026 comparison and Singapore’s Land Transport Authority.

I would also compare cities. The cost of living in Singapore vs Sydney is different from Singapore vs Perth. Our average cost of living in Australia guide provides a starting point, but your city and spending habits determine the result.

Cost of Living Singapore vs Australia: Housing and Rent

Rent can quickly make a big difference in your cost of living Singapore vs Australia budget. First, I would find an apartment or house that fits my lifestyle: a single- or couple’s one-bedroom, or a family’s three-bedroom.

Here is a starting point using Numbeo’s crowd-sourced monthly apartment rents:

City	1-Bed Central	1-Bed Outside Centre	3-Bed Central	3-Bed Outside Centre
Singapore	A$4,295	A$3,083	A$8,322	A$5,734
Sydney	A$3,616	A$2,504	A$7,085	A$4,385
Melbourne	A$2,438	A$1,878	A$4,757	A$3,385
Perth	A$2,731	A$2,194	A$4,075	A$3,081
Brisbane	A$2,799	A$2,006	A$4,846	A$3,344

Rounded estimates, not matched listings. Singapore converted at A$ 1.129 per S$ 1. Update dates differ; furnishings, size and facilities are not standardised.

These figures are closest to Sydney. Our cost of living guide for Sydney will help provide context for that rent.

Costs Beyond the Advertised Rent

I would look at what the rent actually covers before saying a house is affordable. A practical starting point is a simple checklist:

• Utilities: Are electricity, water, gas or internet included?
• Furniture: Does “furnished” cover appliances, beds and everyday essentials?
• Ongoing charges: Who pays for parking, air-conditioning servicing or other agreed maintenance?

Don’t take any property for granted – read the tenancy agreement.

Rental rates in Australia are typically quoted weekly. If you want to compare it to Singapore’s monthly rent, use:

Weekly rent × 52 ÷ 12 = average monthly rent

For example, A$700 a week equals approximately A$3,033 a month, not A$2,800.

Keep bonds, deposits and initial furniture purchases separate. They impact the cash required initially. If you’re moving overseas, use our moving overseas checklist to organise the preparations alongside your budget.

Cost of Living Singapore vs Australia: Groceries and Eating Out

Here is a small basket using Sydney as the Australian benchmark:

Item	Quantity	Singapore (AUD)	Sydney (AUD)
Milk	1 litre	$4.31	$2.44
White Bread	500 g	$3.63	$4.09
Eggs	12	$5.25	$7.98
White Rice	1 kg	$4.03	$3.42
Chicken Fillets	1 kg	$14.11	$13.74
Apples	1 kg	$6.50	$5.71
Tomatoes	1 kg	$3.19	$6.26
Basket Total		$41.02	$43.64

Numbeo estimates updated 2–4 October 2026. Quantities match, but brands are unspecified. This is a sample basket, not a complete weekly shop.

At Relocations WA, I would budget around your usual supermarket, preferred brands and meals. Imported favourites, specials and food waste can change the total.

Hawker Meals, Cafés and Restaurants

While hawker food in Singapore is cheap, the place and stall matter. The government’s BudgetMealGoWhere directory also features a selection of meals at coffee shops around S$3-S$3.50.

For context, Numbeo estimates:

• Australian takeaway: A$17 for a Sydney fast-food combo.
• Café coffee: About A$ 7.50 in Singapore versus A$5.70 in Sydney.
• Mid-range dinner for two: About A$102 versus A$140, excluding drinks.

Make a budget based on what you actually plan to do. The monthly cost of home cooking differs from meals at stalls or restaurants.

Cost of Living Singapore vs Australia: Public Transport and Car Ownership

If you’re getting around without a car, I would compare the same commute first: two bus or train journeys daily, five days a week.

• Singapore: A 9.3–10.2 km journey costs S1.86 by adult card, or S18.60 for ten journeys.
• Brisbane: Ten standard Translink journeys cost A$5 under its 50-cent fares, excluding Airtrain.

Fares checked October 2026.

Australian fares and concession rules vary by city, so compare the cost of living in Brisbane.

Also allow for taxi or app rides. Peak-time pricing and surcharges can push spending beyond your regular commute.

The Cost of Keeping a Car

One change in lifestyle in the form of a car makes a significant difference in your cost of living Singapore vs Australia budget. Split the cost of purchasing the car from the cost of operating it.

The tenure of a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) in Singapore is usually for 10 years. It is also added to vehicle costs, along with registration fees, taxes, and applicable emissions charges, and is part of the auction price.

I would compare two separate totals:

• Purchase or finance: The equivalent model’s drive-away price, deposit, repayments and interest.
• Running costs: Fuel, insurance, registration or road tax, parking, servicing and repairs.

Spread annual expenses over 12 months. Do not double-count the cash purchase when making loan repayments, and do not include it in your monthly budget.

A household using buses and trains needs a different budget from one keeping a car.

Cost of Living Singapore vs Australia: Electricity, Water, Internet and Mobile Bills

Small bills can add up quickly. For your cost-of-living Singapore vs Australia comparison, I would match household size, floor area, and usage before comparing totals.

At Relocations WA, I would check three things:

• Electricity and water: Compare similar consumption (supply charges). Cooling a bigger home will affect the bill.
• Broadband: Match speeds, data allowances and contract lengths. Check installation costs and prices after introductory discounts.
• Mobile: Compare SIM-only plans with similar data and calls, keeping handset repayments separate. Before selecting a plan, ACMA advises reviewing plan summaries.

Air-conditioning affects electricity consumption in Singapore. Australian homes also require seasonal heating and cooling, which can account for 20–50% of household energy consumption.

This means Melbourne’s cost of living is different from that of warmer cities.

Lastly, convert bills to monthly averages. Divide each bill by 3 each quarter, multiply a 28-day mobile recharge by 13, then divide by 12.

If your move involves an Australian property, our guide to changing utilities when moving can help you plan disconnections, new accounts and potential setup costs.

Cost of Living Singapore vs Australia: Healthcare and Health Insurance Costs

The cost of a consultation is just part of the picture. For your cost-of-living Singapore vs Australia budget, I would factor in what you pay after benefits and insurance.

• Routine consultations: If you are an eligible Australian, you can access a bulk-billed GP visit or gap, with no cost. Medicare does not cover treatment in Singapore.
• Prescriptions: Medicines that are eligible for PBS subsidies are available for free for Australians. Public drug subsidies are available only to Singapore citizens and permanent residents, so Australians who are not citizens or permanent residents should check the unsubsidised price.
• Dental care: Medicare does not cover most dental services. Compare treatment in both areas and factor in only the benefits the policy offers.
• Insurance premiums: Ask for rates for similar coverage that includes outpatient services, hospital stays, and dental benefits. Review excesses, exclusions, and claim limits before choosing the lowest premium.

Keep this reference to residency status. In general, Singapore’s healthcare subsidies are for citizens and permanent residents, and not all foreigners. Comparing their subsidised fees with an Australian newcomer’s bill can be misleading.

If your employer offers insurance, ask whether it covers your partner, kids, and regular medications. Allow for any additional premium and out-of-pocket expenses.

Cost of Living Singapore vs Australia: Childcare and Schooling Costs for Families

Your cost of living Singapore vs Australia budget can change in a matter of minutes when you’re taking care of children. Compare the same attendance first: five days versus five days, the same hours, the same inclusions.

Then separate:

• Advertised fees: What the centre charges before assistance.
• Your actual payment: What remains after confirmed subsidies.

Australia’s Child Care Subsidy varies depending on the family’s income, other factors, and residency eligibility. The basic subsidies for childcare in Singapore only cover Singapore Citizens, so an Australian family should not expect to receive the same subsidy.

I would also look at meals, holiday charges and enrolment fees. A lower daily rate means little if the attendance hours do not cover your working day.

School Fees and Related Expenses

Compare the schools that your child can attend. Distinguish between private and international school options and public-school options.

Generally, if an Australian child was not born to parents who are Singapore citizens or hold permanent residency, they will be subject to international tuition fees in government schools. Australia is not a member of the ASEAN group, so it has a separate admission process. Local citizen fees are therefore a misleading benchmark.

Beyond tuition, allow for:

• Uniforms, books and devices.
• School transport and meals.
• Activities, excursions and after-school care.

Include annual expenses, convert them to AUD, then divide by 12. Keep one-off enrolment charges separate, and remember that monthly budgeting does not change when term fees fall due.

I would also visit meals, holiday charges and enrolment fees at Relocations WA. If the hours of attendance are not a part of your working day, then a lower daily rate will not help you.

Cost of Living Singapore vs Australia: Leisure and Personal Expenses

Weekend spending is also a part of the cost of living in Singapore vs Australia. Compare the same activities and how often you enjoy them.

Expatistan’s crowd-sourced estimates, updated 29 September 2026, show this mixed picture:

Expense	Singapore (AUD)	Australia (AUD)
Monthly gym, business district	$256	$94
Two cinema tickets	$29	$42
Men’s haircut, expat area	$84	$45
Optional cocktail, downtown club	$26	$22

These are indicative prices for the stated settings, rather than quotes or national guarantees.

At Relocations WA, I would build this allowance around your day-to-day schedule. A gym membership remains constant, but four cinema visits cost 4 times as much as one.

For occasional concerts or other entertainment, divide your annual allowance by twelve. Keep alcohol separate if you drink, and compare similar venues before deciding which location costs less.

If you use the money for occasional concerts or other entertainment, take 1/12 of your yearly amount. If you drink, keep alcohol out of sight; before choosing a more affordable place, look at similar establishments.

Which Location Leaves More Room in Your Budget?

Lower bills do not automatically mean more breathing room. I would judge the cost of living in Singapore vs Australia by what remains after paying for your household’s needs.

Lower bills don’t always mean more breathing room. Base your cost-of-living comparison between Singapore and Australia on what remains after paying for your household’s needs.

Start with:

• Housing that suits your family.
• Your commute and car requirements.
• Childcare, schooling and healthcare.

When comparing salaries in Singapore vs Australia, consider take-home pay and deduct expected monthly expenses in the same currency. To find your surplus, Moneysmart suggests comparing your income with your spending.

That calculation can change if your employer pays for housing or if you have insurance or school fees. Count only confirmed benefits, then compare what you have left.

Make Your Budget Work Before You Make Your Move

The cost of living in Singapore vs Australia comes down to the home you rent, how you travel and what your household needs. Use the figures in this guide as a starting point, then replace them with quotes that match your circumstances.

Before deciding, check three things:

• Monthly expenses: Include rent, bills, food, transport and family costs.
• Take-home income: Your Singapore vs Australia salary comparison should account for tax and confirmed employer benefits.
• Upfront costs: Keep deposits and international moving costs separate from everyday spending.

For living in Singapore vs Australia, the more affordable option is the one that leaves enough room for savings and unexpected bills.

If Singapore is your next step, our guide to living in Singapore as an Australian can help you prepare.

At Relocations WA, we can help coordinate your international move and shipping arrangements around your household’s requirements. I would start with a tailored moving quote so you can include relocation costs in your budget before committing.

Ready to put a figure on your move? Contact us for an obligation-free quote and tell us what you need to move, where you’re heading and your preferred timeframe.