Vancouver vs Singapore
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vancouver is ~18% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Vancouver
Canada
COL+Rent
63.1
Rent Index
51.8
Groceries
75.8
Restaurant
75.2
Singapore
Singapore
COL+Rent
77.4
Rent Index
73.1
Groceries
75.3
Restaurant
50.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Vancouver | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,286 | $3,120 | $834 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,818 | $2,280 | $462 |
| Groceries | $425 | $410 | +$15 |
| Restaurant Meal | $22 | $11 | +$11 |
| Transit Pass | $96 | $86 | +$10 |
| Utilities | $165 | $166 | $1 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Vancouver | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,465/mo | $2,863/mo |
| Typical | $3,302/mo | $3,947/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,060/mo | $4,662/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Vancouver | ≈ in Singapore | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,840/mo | +$340 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,453/mo | +$453 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,680/mo | +$680 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Vancouver vs Singapore for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Vancouver is approximately 18% more affordable than Singapore when combining rent and daily living costs. Vancouver's COL+Rent Index of 63.1 vs Singapore's 77.4 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Vancouver costs $2,286/month versus $3,120/month in Singapore — giving Vancouver a $834/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $10,008 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Vancouver ($425/mo) vs Singapore ($410/mo) reflect Singapore's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $22 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, Vancouver offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $3,302 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.