Singapore🇸🇬
At a Glance
How Singapore compares across key indices
Cost of Living
78 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
95/100
Healthcare
77/100
Quality of Life
181/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in Singapore
Cost of Living
78
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
58
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
78
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
82
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Low RiskHow safe residents feel in Singapore - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
95/100
Crime Index
0/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in Singapore
Singapore has 65 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $1,544 in Novena to $2,127 in Singapore. Bedok New Town leads on safety, scoring 95/100. Pasir Ris New Town ranks highest for quality of life at 180/200.
Novena
$1,544/mo
Bedok New Town
95/100
Pasir Ris New Town
180/200
Singapore
93/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | $2,127 | 87/100 | 174/200 | 93/100 | 41 |
| Bedok New Town | $1,685 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Ulu Bedok | $1,685 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Tampines Estate | $1,681 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Jurong Town | $1,680 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Tampines New Town | $1,680 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Jurong West | $1,678 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Woodlands | $1,678 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Sengkang New Town | $1,674 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Hougang New Town | $1,668 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Yishun New Town | $1,666 | 95/100 | 179/200 | 78/100 | 26 |
| Punggol | $1,657 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 77/100 | 25 |
| Choa Chu Kang New Town | $1,654 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 77/100 | 25 |
| Ang Mo Kio New Town | $1,638 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 77/100 | 24 |
| Bukit Batok New Town | $1,638 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 76/100 | 24 |
| Bukit Merah Estate | $1,635 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 76/100 | 24 |
| Kampong Pasir Ris | $1,632 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 76/100 | 24 |
| Bukit Panjang New Town | $1,628 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 76/100 | 24 |
| Kembangan | $1,623 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 76/100 | 24 |
| Toa Payoh New Town | $1,616 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 76/100 | 23 |
| Serangoon | $1,614 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 76/100 | 23 |
| Serangoon New Town | $1,614 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 76/100 | 23 |
| Geylang | $1,609 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 75/100 | 23 |
| Sembawang Estate | $1,609 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 75/100 | 23 |
| Kallang | $1,602 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 75/100 | 23 |
| Queenstown Estate | $1,597 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 75/100 | 22 |
| Clementi Housing Estate | $1,594 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 75/100 | 22 |
| Bishan New Town | $1,590 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 75/100 | 22 |
| Jurong East | $1,582 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 74/100 | 22 |
| Bukit Timah | $1,580 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 74/100 | 22 |
| Pasir Ris New Town | $1,551 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
| Matilda Estate | $1,547 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
| Novena | $1,544 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
| Marine Parade | $1,544 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
| Yew Tee | $1,544 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
| Simei New Town | $1,544 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
| Keat Hong Village | $1,544 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
| Kaki Bukit Estate | $1,544 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
| Serangoon Garden | $1,544 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
| Peng Siang | $1,544 | 95/100 | 180/200 | 73/100 | 20 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled 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
Recommended PartnerDon'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
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in Singapore
Pollution Index
28/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
13.9ug/m3
Good
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
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 78 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $1,602 in Kallang and reach $2,127 in Singapore.
What is the cheapest city in Singapore for expats?
Kallang is the most affordable city in Singapore in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $1,602 for a single person including rent. Geylang is the next most affordable at $1,609/mo.
Is Singapore safe for expats?
Singapore has a safety index of 95/100, making it very safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Bedok New Town scores highest on safety at 95/100.
What is the best city in Singapore for expats and digital nomads?
Geylang ranks highest for quality of life in Singapore, scoring 180/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $1,609/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Kallang offers the lowest monthly costs at $1,602/mo.
How good is healthcare in Singapore?
Singapore scores 77/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it excellent by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
Is Singapore cheaper than the United States?
Yes. Singapore's cost of living is roughly 22% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 42% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
What is the air quality and pollution like in Singapore?
Singapore has a pollution index of 28/100 (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
Plan Your Move
Where Can I Move?
Check whether this country fits your passport, budget, work setup, safety floor, and priorities.
Build My Escape Plan
Turn this country into a practical move plan with visa, insurance, housing, banking, and scouting-trip next steps.
Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
Recommended PartnerDon'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 - 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.
Follow Singapore
Get new Singapore articles by email
Future guides and articles for Singapore will land in your inbox.
Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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