Singapore vs Stockholm
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Stockholm is ~34% 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
Stockholm
Sweden
COL+Rent
51
Rent Index
32.7
Groceries
59.6
Restaurant
62.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Singapore | Stockholm | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $3,120 | $1,449 | +$1,671 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,280 | $1,139 | +$1,141 |
| Groceries | $410 | $339 | +$71 |
| Restaurant Meal | $11 | $17 | $6 |
| Transit Pass | $86 | $93 | $7 |
| Utilities | $166 | $103 | +$63 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Singapore | Stockholm |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,863/mo | $1,640/mo |
| Typical | $3,947/mo | $2,239/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,662/mo | $2,779/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Singapore | ≈ in Stockholm | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $988/mo | -$512 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,318/mo | -$682 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,977/mo | -$1,023 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Singapore vs Stockholm for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Stockholm is approximately 34% more affordable than Singapore when combining rent and daily living costs. Singapore's COL+Rent Index of 77.4 vs Stockholm's 51 (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 $1,449/month in Stockholm — giving Stockholm a $1,671/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $20,052 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Singapore ($410/mo) vs Stockholm ($339/mo) reflect Stockholm's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $11 vs $17 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, Stockholm offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $2,239 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.