Comparing the USA vs Singapore: Cost of Living, Singapore is generally more expensive overall—especially for housing, car ownership, and everyday services—while the United States often has cheaper housing (per square foot), petrol, and groceries, but with much bigger city‑to‑city variation.[1][2][6]
For Singapore-focused buyers and investors, the key takeaway is this: if you are used to American prices, day‑to‑day life in Singapore can feel more costly, but Singapore compensates with high safety, strong public transport, attractive property yields, and a very stable, transparent market—exactly the environment Homejourney helps you navigate safely.
USA vs Singapore: Quick Cost of Living Snapshot
Based on multi‑source comparisons (Numbeo, Expatistan, MyLifeElsewhere, Livingcost), Singapore’s overall cost of living including rent is roughly 25–30% higher than the United States on average, though this varies sharply by US city.[1][2][6]
This article is a cluster guide within Homejourney’s wider USA vs Singapore series and links back to our main pillar guide: USA vs Singapore: Investment & Lifestyle Guide 2025 | Homejourney .
Property & Real Estate: Where Your Biggest Costs Sit
For both Americans living in Singapore and Singaporeans eyeing the US, housing is the single biggest driver of cost differences.
Renting: US city variation vs Singapore consistency
Numbeo data shows rent in the United States is roughly 35–45% lower than in Singapore for comparable apartments, with a typical 1‑bedroom in the city centre around S$2,250 in the US vs about S$4,000 in Singapore.[2]
In practical terms:
- In Singapore, a centrally located 1‑bedroom near Raffles Place MRT or Tanjong Pagar MRT will often start above S$3,500–4,000 per month for a modern condo.
- In the US, you might pay less than that even in major cities—though places like Manhattan or San Francisco can still exceed Singapore rents.
If you are comparing specific Singapore projects to US cities, use Homejourney’s project data via Projects Directory and Projects to benchmark asking rents and past transacted prices.
Buying: Singapore is far more expensive per square foot
On a per‑square‑foot basis, Singapore’s central private property prices are dramatically higher than the US average. Numbeo estimates around S$2,700 per sq ft to buy an apartment in Singapore’s city centre versus roughly S$390 per sq ft on average in the United States.[2] Many prime District 1 and District 9 condominiums along Orchard Road or Marina Bay will exceed even this range.
From my own fieldwork with buyers, an international investor often reacts with surprise when standing outside a new launch near Great World MRT, learning that a 700 sq ft 2‑bedroom can cross S$1.8–2.0 million, while a suburban US home of double the size might cost less.
Rental yields and investment profile
Although per‑square‑foot prices are higher, Singapore offers:
- Strong rental demand from expats and corporate tenants
- Clear, consistent regulations under URA and HDB
- High perceived safety and political stability, which many US investors prioritise
Average gross rental yields for well‑located mass‑market condos often fall around 3–4%, with select city‑fringe projects occasionally higher, compared to very wide yield spreads in the US depending on state and city. For granular yield estimates and past transacted rents, use Homejourney’s Projects Directory together with our Property Search tool.
Financing and mortgage costs
Numbeo’s contributor data suggests average long‑run mortgage rates are significantly lower in Singapore (around 2.9% for 20‑year fixed) than in the US (around 6.5%).[2] In reality, most Singapore borrowers use floating‑rate or short‑fixed packages pegged to SORA; still, local borrowing costs are often structurally lower.
Homejourney maintains updated comparisons via Bank Rates and Mortgage Rates so overseas buyers can see how loan packages in Singapore stack against US home loans.
Lifestyle & Everyday Living Costs
Food and dining: hawker centres vs eating out in US
My own monthly budgets in Singapore vs US trips differ most around dining:
- A basic meal at an inexpensive restaurant in the US averages about US$19.45, versus roughly US$9.30 (≈S$12) in Singapore.[1]
- Fast‑food combo meals cost about US$11.10 in the US vs US$7.70 (≈S$10) in Singapore.[1]
However, this hides a local “hack”: if you eat at hawker centres like Maxwell Food Centre (near Chinatown MRT), Tiong Bahru Market (near Tiong Bahru MRT), or Amoy Street Food Centre (walking distance from Telok Ayer MRT), you can still find full meals between S$4–6. Regulars know to avoid peak weekday lunch crowd (12–1.30pm) and arrive a bit earlier for shorter queues.
Groceries and essentials
Grocery baskets vary: some items are cheaper in Singapore, others more expensive. MyLifeElsewhere’s comparison suggests Singapore groceries are roughly 12% more expensive overall than the US, with milk and cheese notably higher while bread can be cheaper.[1]
If you shop at heartland supermarkets like FairPrice at Ang Mo Kio Hub (directly connected to Ang Mo Kio MRT) or Sheng Siong outlets in Woodlands or Jurong West, your monthly bill can be significantly lower than buying only imported brands from high‑end stores in Orchard or Marina Bay.
Transport and cars: biggest cost gap in America vs Singapore
Transportation is one of the starkest contrasts in this USA vs Singapore: Cost of Living Comparison. MyLifeElsewhere estimates transport in Singapore to be about 2.2 times more expensive overall, driven largely by car costs.[1]
Sample differences:[1]
- New VW Golf 1.4: ~US$32,300 in the US vs ~US$139,000 (≈S$180,000) in Singapore, due to COE and taxes.
- Gasoline: ~US$3.41 per gallon in the US vs ~US$8.27 in Singapore.
- Monthly public transit pass: ~US$65.85 in the US vs ~US$92.79 (≈S$120) in Singapore.
In practice, very few locals need a car. The MRT network and buses cover most residential areas within a 5–10 minute walk, and ride‑hailing (Grab, Gojek, Tada) is widely used. If you stay near major interchanges like Bishan, Paya Lebar, or Outram Park, it is realistic to structure your life entirely around public transport.
