Cost of living in Singapore is about the same as in Santa Barbara, California (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 538 prices entered by 100 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
Food | - 23% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Singapore is 23% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Singapore | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | SGD $16 ($12) | $23 | - 49% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | SGD $10 ($8) | $10 | - 26% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | SGD $7 ($5.22) | $8 | - 34% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | SGD $4.85 ($3.61) | $1.21 | + 198% | |
12 eggs, large | SGD $5.05 ($3.77) | $5.63 | - 33% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | SGD $4.55 ($3.39) | $5.50 | - 38% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | SGD $11 ($9) | $9 | - 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | SGD $5.37 ($4.00) | $3.67 | + 9% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | SGD $3.65 ($2.72) | $2.09 | + 30% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | SGD $5.02 ($3.75) | $3.42 | + 10% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | SGD $35 ($26) | $20 | + 28% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | SGD $2.74 ($2.04) | $2.12 | - 4% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | SGD $2.62 ($1.96) | $3.66 | - 46% | |
Housing | - 12% | |||
Housing in Singapore is 12% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Singapore | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | SGD $6,595 ($4,919) | $4,852 | + 1% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | SGD $4,263 ($3,179) | $3,361 | - 5% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | SGD $207 ($155) | $153 | + 1% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | SGD $3,841 ($2,865) | $2,978 | - 4% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | SGD $2,921 ($2,179) | $2,266 | - 4% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | SGD $138 ($103) | $101 | + 2% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | SGD $45 ($33) | $90 | - 63% | |
40” flat screen tv | SGD $675 ($504) | $763 | - 34% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | SGD $211 ($158) | - | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | SGD $13 ($10) | $16 | - 39% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | SGD $21 ($16) | $28 | - 44% | |
Clothes | - 8% | |||
Clothes in Singapore is 8% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Singapore | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | SGD $102 ($76) | $59 | + 28% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | SGD $63 ($47) | $69 | - 31% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | SGD $145 ($108) | $102 | + 6% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | SGD $174 ($130) | $108 | + 21% | |
Transportation | + 120% | |||
Transportation in Singapore is 120% more expensive than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Singapore | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | SGD $156,163 ($116,474) | $21,036 | + 454% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | SGD $2.68 ($2.00) | $1.38 | + 45% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | SGD $93 ($70) | $45 | + 54% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | SGD $41 ($31) | - | - | |
Personal Care | - 46% | |||
Personal Care in Singapore is 46% cheaper than in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Singapore | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | SGD $13 ($10) | $13 | - 25% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | SGD $19 ($14) | $30 | - 53% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | SGD $69 ($51) | $168 | - 69% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | SGD $13 ($10) | $14 | - 29% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | SGD $5.77 ($4.30) | $8 | - 47% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | SGD $10 ($7) | $8 | - 11% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | SGD $3.58 ($2.67) | $5.31 | - 50% | |
Tube of toothpaste | SGD $5.59 ($4.17) | $3.56 | + 17% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | SGD $32 ($24) | $25 | - 4% | |
Entertainment | - 1% | |||
Entertainment in Singapore is about the same as in Santa Barbara, California (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Singapore | Santa Barbara, California | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | SGD $56 ($42) | $59 | - 29% | |
2 tickets to the movies | SGD $29 ($22) | $25 | - 14% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | SGD $215 ($160) | $226 | - 29% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | SGD $170 ($126) | $98 | + 29% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | SGD $22 ($17) | $15 | + 11% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | SGD $7 ($5.41) | $5.16 | + 5% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | SGD $11 ($8) | $7 | + 14% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | SGD $922 ($688) | $1,200 | - 43% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | SGD $0.27 ($0.20) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | SGD $178 ($133) | $78 | + 71% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | SGD $15 ($11) | $11 | + 2% | |
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TOTAL | + 3% |

These prices were last updated on February 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.746
USD
/
SGD
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For example, you would need at least $16,492 (SGD $22,112) in Singapore to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $16,000 in Santa Barbara, California.
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