Cost of living in Singapore is 44% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Dubai or in Singapore? You can help!
Improve the prices for Dubai! Improve the prices for Singapore!
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 885 prices entered by 264 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 32% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Singapore is 32% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | SGD $15 (Dirham 43) | Dirham 50 | - 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | SGD $10 (Dirham 29) | Dirham 34 | - 13% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | SGD $8 (Dirham 21) | Dirham 20 | + 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | SGD $4.24 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 6 | + 98% | |
| 12 eggs, large | SGD $5.76 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 13 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | SGD $2.83 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 7 | + 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | SGD $16 (Dirham 46) | Dirham 28 | + 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | SGD $5.84 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 8 | + 100% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | SGD $4.25 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 3.94 | + 205% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | SGD $5.26 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 8 | + 83% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | SGD $39 (Dirham 112) | Dirham 60 | + 87% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | SGD $2.79 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 8 | - 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | SGD $3.67 (Dirham 10) | Dirham 4.78 | + 117% | |
| Housing | + 59% | |||
| Housing in Singapore is 59% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | SGD $6,400 (Dirham 18,103) | Dirham 9,378 | + 93% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | SGD $4,631 (Dirham 13,100) | Dirham 6,163 | + 113% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | SGD $253 (Dirham 715) | Dirham 916 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | SGD $4,060 (Dirham 11,484) | Dirham 7,078 | + 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | SGD $3,265 (Dirham 9,236) | Dirham 4,659 | + 98% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | SGD $160 (Dirham 451) | Dirham 627 | - 28% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | SGD $46 (Dirham 130) | Dirham 215 | - 39% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | SGD $839 (Dirham 2,374) | Dirham 687 | + 246% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | SGD $234 (Dirham 662) | Dirham 303 | + 118% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | SGD $13 (Dirham 36) | Dirham 40 | - 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | SGD $20 (Dirham 56) | Dirham 35 | + 61% | |
| Clothes | + 21% | |||
| Clothes in Singapore is 21% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | SGD $114 (Dirham 322) | Dirham 202 | + 60% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | SGD $63 (Dirham 178) | Dirham 176 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | SGD $150 (Dirham 423) | Dirham 361 | + 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | SGD $174 (Dirham 493) | Dirham 313 | + 57% | |
| Transportation | + 51% | |||
| Transportation in Singapore is 51% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | SGD $156,163 (Dirham 441,735) | Dirham 94,350 | + 368% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | SGD $2.87 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 2.97 | + 174% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | SGD $83 (Dirham 234) | Dirham 324 | - 28% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | SGD $42 (Dirham 118) | Dirham 52 | + 128% | |
| Personal Care | + 8% | |||
| Personal Care in Singapore is 8% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | SGD $13 (Dirham 38) | Dirham 24 | + 58% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | SGD $20 (Dirham 55) | Dirham 73 | - 24% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | SGD $92 (Dirham 261) | Dirham 326 | - 20% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | SGD $13 (Dirham 38) | Dirham 23 | + 68% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | SGD $5.44 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 17 | - 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | SGD $11 (Dirham 32) | Dirham 20 | + 59% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | SGD $3.89 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 11 | + 1% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | SGD $5.59 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 14 | + 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | SGD $45 (Dirham 128) | Dirham 43 | + 200% | |
| Entertainment | + 29% | |||
| Entertainment in Singapore is 29% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | SGD $63 (Dirham 179) | Dirham 174 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | SGD $29 (Dirham 81) | Dirham 96 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | SGD $212 (Dirham 601) | Dirham 275 | + 118% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | SGD $177 (Dirham 500) | Dirham 318 | + 57% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | SGD $22 (Dirham 64) | Dirham 90 | - 29% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | SGD $7 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 23 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | SGD $12 (Dirham 34) | Dirham 43 | - 22% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | SGD $922 (Dirham 2,608) | Dirham 2,003 | + 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | SGD $0.27 (Dirham 0.75) | Dirham 0.61 | + 23% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | SGD $202 (Dirham 571) | Dirham 267 | + 114% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | SGD $17 (Dirham 47) | Dirham 20 | + 140% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 44% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 885 prices entered by 264 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 17, 2024.
Exchange rate:
2.829
AED
/
SGD
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in New York City is 6% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 31% more expensive than in Santiago, Chile
- Cost of living in Jerusalem is about the same as in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Cost of living in Lima is 14% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Cork is 31% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Madrid is about the same as in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Dublin is 30% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Madrid is 26% cheaper than in Paris
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 37% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in London is 39% more expensive than in Paris
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least Dirham 37,365 (SGD $13,209) in Singapore to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with Dirham 26,000 in Dubai.
Do you live in Dubai? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bangalore (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Sofia (Bulgaria)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Prague (Czech Republic)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Naples (Italy)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Chengdu (China)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Belgrade (Serbia)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Ljubljana costs €15 (31 minutes ago)
- Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new in Harare costs $22,500 (about 2 hours ago)
- Bread for 2 people for 1 day (250 g) in Buenos Aires costs ARS $1,500 (about 4 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Fort Lauderdale, Florida costs $15 (about 6 hours ago)
- Hourly rate for domestic cleaning help in Los Angeles, California costs $40 (about 8 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Ilha de Mocambique costs 100 MT (about 8 hours ago)