Singapore vs Perth
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Perth is ~28% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Singapore
Singapore
COL+Rent
77.4
Rent Index
73.1
Groceries
75.3
Restaurant
50.4
Perth
Australia
COL+Rent
55.7
Rent Index
39.5
Groceries
74
Restaurant
63.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Singapore | Perth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,120 | $1,758 | +$1,362 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,280 | $1,311 | +$969 |
| Groceries | $410 | $412 | $2 |
| Restaurant Meal | $11 | $22 | $11 |
| Transit Pass | $86 | $97 | $11 |
| Utilities | $166 | $146 | +$20 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Singapore | Perth |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,863/mo | $1,930/mo |
| Typical | $3,947/mo | $2,743/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,662/mo | $3,419/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Singapore | ≈ in Perth | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,079/mo | -$421 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,439/mo | -$561 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,159/mo | -$841 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Singapore vs Perth for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Perth is approximately 28% more affordable than Singapore when combining rent and daily living costs. Singapore's COL+Rent Index of 77.4 vs Perth's 55.7 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Singapore costs $3,120/month versus $1,758/month in Perth — giving Perth a $1,362/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $16,344 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Singapore ($410/mo) vs Perth ($412/mo) reflect Perth's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $11 vs $22 show Singapore is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Perth offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,743 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.