UK vs Singapore: Cost of Living Comparison – Quick Answer
If you compare the UK vs Singapore, overall day-to-day living (including rent) is significantly more expensive in Singapore, mainly because of housing, while London vs Singapore is a different story – Singapore is about 15–20% cheaper overall than London in 2025 based on independent cost-of-living indices.[2][3][4][6] For property buyers and expats, this means your monthly budget can stretch further in most UK cities, but Singapore generally offers stronger long‑term property stability, safety and investor protection.
This article is a focused cluster guide within Homejourney’s international comparison series and links back to our main pillar guide on global property and lifestyle comparisons . It is written from the perspective of a Singapore-based property researcher who has lived and worked in both Singapore and the UK, using on‑the‑ground examples (from places like Bishan, Punggol, Holland Village, Canary Wharf and Zone 2 London) and verified data from Numbeo, Expatistan and Singapore government agencies where applicable.[3][6][9]
1. UK vs Singapore: At-a-Glance Cost of Living
1.1 Quick facts comparison table (2025)
Figures below combine several public cost-of-living datasets (Numbeo, Expatistan, LivingCost) to give a directional view for a single professional living in the capital city in 2025.[2][3][4][6][8] These are averages – what you actually pay depends on neighbourhood and lifestyle.
In practical terms, if you are earning a typical mid‑to‑senior corporate salary in Singapore and relocate to a regional UK city (e.g. Manchester, Birmingham), your rent and day‑to‑day costs will likely fall, but your salary may also be lower. If you move from London to Singapore, your non‑housing costs may drop, but you will have to watch housing and schooling budgets carefully.
2. Housing & Property: The Biggest Cost Difference
2.1 Renting: everyday cost comparison
Across the UK as a whole, rent is roughly 50–56% lower than in Singapore, whether for 1‑bedroom or 3‑bedroom apartments, in or outside the city centre.[2][3][4] For example, Numbeo data shows a typical 1‑bedroom apartment in Singapore’s city centre averaging around S$4,000 per month versus under S$1,800 in the UK.[3][4]
From experience, this matches what you see on the ground: a 1‑bedder near Raffles Place or Tanjong Pagar can easily cross S$4,000–4,500, while a central London Zone 2 one‑bed in Canary Wharf or Islington often exceeds £2,300 (~S$4,000+), and in regional UK cities similar units can be closer to £1,000–1,200 (~S$1,700–2,000) depending on condition and proximity to the station.
When planning a move, you can use Homejourney’s property tools to benchmark:
- Browse current asking rents across different Singapore districts using Property Search .
- Check launch and resale project data by area (e.g. Jurong East vs Queenstown) with Projects Directory .
- Compare mortgage costs and bank promotions via Bank Rates if you are buying instead of renting.
2.2 Buying property: price per square foot & yields
Price per square foot (psf) to buy in Singapore is substantially higher than the UK average. Numbeo data suggests city‑centre apartments in Singapore average around S$2,700 psf compared to roughly S$750 psf in the UK; outside the centre, it is around S$1,780 psf versus S$600 psf – a gap of more than 60%.[3]
That said, this UK average hides huge variation: prime London zones (e.g. Kensington, Mayfair) can be significantly more expensive than central districts like Orchard or River Valley on a psf basis, while many UK regional cities remain far cheaper than even fringe Singapore suburbs like Sengkang or Punggol.
For investors, typical gross rental yields in Singapore non‑landed properties often fall in the ~3–4% range, depending on district and property type, while UK buy‑to‑let in some regional cities can reach 5–7% but with more variability in tenant quality, voids and maintenance. This is where Homejourney’s verified project analysis Projects is helpful: you can benchmark Singapore yields by project against what your UK agent presents.
2.3 Why many investors still pick Singapore
Despite higher entry prices, investors choose Singapore because of:
- Political and regulatory stability – URA and MAS maintain tight controls on oversupply and leverage, which has historically reduced boom‑bust cycles.
- Transparent land and transaction data – public access to caveats and price histories improves decision‑making compared with some UK secondary cities.
- Safe landlord environment – robust contract enforcement, low vandalism and lower default risk relative to certain UK markets.
- Currency exposure – many investors like holding assets in SGD as a regional safe‑haven alongside GBP exposure.
Homejourney’s safety‑first approach means all listed projects undergo basic checks against public URA and HDB data, and we strongly recommend independent legal and tax advice before committing to either UK or Singapore property.
3. Daily Living: Groceries, Food, Transport & Utilities
3.1 Groceries & eating out
On average, food and groceries in the UK are cheaper than in Singapore by around 25–30% at the national level.[2] Eating out at mid‑range restaurants also tends to be slightly cheaper in the UK, but London narrows that gap.
However, Singapore has a major local advantage: hawker centres. A basic lunch at Amoy Street Food Centre or Maxwell Food Centre can still be S$5–8 for rice, one meat and vegetables, whereas a simple takeaway sandwich and drink near London Liverpool Street can easily be £7–9 (~S$12–15). Even in heartland areas like Bishan or Tampines, you can comfortably keep weekday lunch under S$6 if you eat local.
Insider tip: in the CBD, walk 5–8 minutes further from Grade A office towers to older kopitiams (e.g. along Tanjong Pagar Road toward Everton Park) – prices are often 15–20% lower than directly under office blocks.
3.2 Transport: MRT vs Tube vs driving
Transport is one area where Singapore can be more cost‑efficient if you rely on public transit. While national data suggests UK transport costs average about 18% higher than Singapore,[2] London public transport is still relatively costly, and driving in both countries can be expensive for different reasons.
- Public transport (Singapore): tap‑in MRT and bus rides from heartlands (e.g. Punggol to Raffles Place) often cost around S$1.80–2.10 each way. Stations are usually within 8–10 minutes’ walk in mature estates like Toa Payoh and Clementi.
