Cost of living in Singapore is about the same as in Chicago, Illinois (United States)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 725 prices entered by 107 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 22% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Singapore is 22% cheaper than in Chicago, Illinois (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Chicago, Illinois | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | SGD $15 ($11) | $24 | - 53% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | SGD $10 ($8) | $12 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | SGD $7 ($5.72) | $7 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | SGD $3.60 ($2.80) | $0.93 | + 201% | |
| 12 eggs, large | SGD $4.76 ($3.71) | $5.80 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | SGD $4.04 ($3.14) | $4.40 | - 29% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | SGD $16 ($12) | $7 | + 87% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | SGD $5.56 ($4.32) | $4.81 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | SGD $3.35 ($2.61) | $2.07 | + 26% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | SGD $6 ($4.75) | $3.07 | + 54% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | SGD $34 ($27) | $16 | + 68% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | SGD $2.83 ($2.20) | $3.11 | - 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | SGD $2.90 ($2.26) | $4.09 | - 45% | |
| Housing | + 12% | |||
| Housing in Singapore is 12% more expensive than in Chicago, Illinois (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Chicago, Illinois | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | SGD $6,873 ($5,346) | $4,040 | + 32% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | SGD $4,287 ($3,334) | $2,635 | + 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | SGD $219 ($170) | $168 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | SGD $3,789 ($2,947) | $2,357 | + 25% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | SGD $2,827 ($2,199) | $1,641 | + 34% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | SGD $124 ($97) | $141 | - 32% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | SGD $46 ($36) | $61 | - 41% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | SGD $643 ($500) | $237 | + 111% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | SGD $137 ($107) | $184 | - 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | SGD $12 ($9) | $12 | - 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | SGD $22 ($17) | $41 | - 59% | |
| Clothes | + 17% | |||
| Clothes in Singapore is 17% more expensive than in Chicago, Illinois (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Chicago, Illinois | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | SGD $111 ($86) | $59 | + 45% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | SGD $63 ($49) | $49 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | SGD $145 ($113) | $88 | + 27% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | SGD $174 ($135) | $129 | + 5% | |
| Transportation | + 72% | |||
| Transportation in Singapore is 72% more expensive than in Chicago, Illinois (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Chicago, Illinois | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | SGD $155,094 ($120,629) | $31,007 | + 289% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | SGD $2.80 ($2.18) | $1.03 | + 112% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | SGD $104 ($81) | $75 | + 7% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | SGD $35 ($27) | $18 | + 47% | |
| Personal Care | - 39% | |||
| Personal Care in Singapore is 39% cheaper than in Chicago, Illinois (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Chicago, Illinois | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | SGD $13 ($10) | $11 | - 9% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | SGD $19 ($15) | $49 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | SGD $69 ($54) | $136 | - 61% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | SGD $13 ($10) | $9 | + 22% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | SGD $5.77 ($4.49) | $4.54 | - 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | SGD $10 ($8) | $7 | + 12% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | SGD $3.58 ($2.78) | $3.84 | - 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | SGD $5.59 ($4.35) | $2.14 | + 104% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | SGD $32 ($25) | $36 | - 30% | |
| Entertainment | - 41% | |||
| Entertainment in Singapore is 41% cheaper than in Chicago, Illinois (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Chicago, Illinois | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | SGD $47 ($37) | $59 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | SGD $28 ($22) | $30 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | SGD $215 ($167) | $292 | - 43% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | SGD $160 ($124) | $112 | + 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | SGD $22 ($17) | $16 | + 5% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | SGD $7 ($5.64) | $5.84 | - 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | SGD $11 ($8) | $8 | + 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | SGD $922 ($717) | $605 | + 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | SGD $0.27 ($0.21) | $1.43 | - 86% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | SGD $185 ($144) | $75 | + 92% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | SGD $16 ($12) | $16 | - 24% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 2% | ||
These prices were last updated on July 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.778
USD
/
SGD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 725 prices entered by 107 different people.
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Prices recently added
- 1 kg of tomatoes in Zagreb costs €4.00 (20 minutes ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Toulouse costs €1,500 (about 1 hour ago)
- Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new in Montreal costs C$45,024 (about 10 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Victoria costs C$45 (about 11 hours ago)