Sydney vs Singapore
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Sydney is ~10% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Singapore
Singapore
COL+Rent
77.4
Rent Index
73.1
Groceries
75.3
Restaurant
50.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $3,120 | $678 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $2,280 | $458 |
| Groceries | $483 | $410 | +$73 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $11 | +$14 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $86 | +$28 |
| Utilities | $171 | $166 | +$5 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $2,863/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $3,947/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $4,662/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Singapore | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,666/mo | +$166 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,221/mo | +$221 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,331/mo | +$331 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Singapore for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Sydney is approximately 10% more affordable than Singapore when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 vs Singapore's 77.4 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $3,120/month in Singapore — giving Sydney a $678/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $8,136 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Sydney ($483/mo) vs Singapore ($410/mo) reflect Singapore's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 vs $11 show Singapore offers cheaper dining. 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, Sydney offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $3,585 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.