Cost of living in Singapore is 84% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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 Iowa City, Iowa or in Singapore? You can help!
Improve the prices for Iowa City, Iowa! Improve the prices for Singapore!
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 420 prices entered by 97 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | + 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Singapore is 13% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | SGD $13 ($10) | $16 | - 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | SGD $11 ($8) | $8 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | SGD $6 ($4.71) | $5.02 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | SGD $3.88 ($2.97) | $1.01 | + 193% | |
| 12 eggs, large | SGD $5.43 ($4.16) | $2.80 | + 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | SGD $2.85 ($2.18) | $4.92 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | SGD $16 ($12) | $7 | + 68% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | SGD $5.71 ($4.38) | $2.79 | + 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | SGD $4.05 ($3.10) | $1.74 | + 78% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | SGD $4.89 ($3.75) | $2.31 | + 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | SGD $40 ($31) | $15 | + 105% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | SGD $2.79 ($2.13) | $1.99 | + 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | SGD $3.66 ($2.81) | $1.80 | + 56% | |
| Housing | + 114% | |||
| Housing in Singapore is 114% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | SGD $6,398 ($4,902) | $1,810 | + 171% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | SGD $4,291 ($3,288) | $1,036 | + 217% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | SGD $231 ($177) | $153 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | SGD $4,060 ($3,111) | $1,075 | + 189% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | SGD $3,006 ($2,303) | $753 | + 206% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | SGD $140 ($107) | $127 | - 15% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | SGD $46 ($35) | $48 | - 26% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | SGD $839 ($643) | $387 | + 66% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | SGD $259 ($199) | $86 | + 132% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | SGD $14 ($11) | $11 | + 0% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | SGD $20 ($15) | $24 | - 36% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in Singapore is 13% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | SGD $114 ($87) | $48 | + 82% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | SGD $65 ($50) | $58 | - 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | SGD $150 ($115) | $77 | + 49% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | SGD $174 ($134) | $102 | + 31% | |
| Transportation | + 194% | |||
| Transportation in Singapore is 194% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | SGD $156,163 ($119,654) | $23,749 | + 404% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | SGD $2.87 ($2.20) | $0.72 | + 208% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | SGD $79 ($61) | $30 | + 101% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | SGD $42 ($32) | $17 | + 94% | |
| Personal Care | + 24% | |||
| Personal Care in Singapore is 24% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | SGD $13 ($10) | $8 | + 36% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | SGD $20 ($15) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | SGD $92 ($71) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | SGD $14 ($10) | $7 | + 59% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | SGD $5.44 ($4.16) | $3.53 | + 18% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | SGD $11 ($9) | $5.28 | + 63% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | SGD $3.89 ($2.98) | $3.18 | - 6% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | SGD $5.59 ($4.28) | $1.83 | + 135% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | SGD $45 ($35) | $23 | + 52% | |
| Entertainment | + 48% | |||
| Entertainment in Singapore is 48% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | SGD $59 ($45) | $42 | + 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | SGD $29 ($22) | $21 | + 9% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | SGD $212 ($163) | $108 | + 50% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | SGD $115 ($88) | $80 | + 10% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | SGD $22 ($17) | $7 | + 129% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | SGD $7 ($5.42) | $4.01 | + 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | SGD $12 ($9) | $4.44 | + 106% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | SGD $922 ($706) | $479 | + 47% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | SGD $0.27 ($0.20) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | SGD $207 ($158) | $46 | + 244% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | SGD $16 ($12) | $8 | + 62% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 84% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 420 prices entered by 97 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 13, 2024.
Exchange rate:
0.766
USD
/
SGD
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Jerusalem is about the same as in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Cost of living in Madrid is about the same as in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Madrid is 35% cheaper than in Paris
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Liverpool is 27% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Dublin is 29% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 54% cheaper than in Montevideo
- Cost of living in Rio de Janeiro is 42% more expensive than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Jeddah is 32% more expensive than in Shanghai
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 31% more expensive than in Bogotá
Compare other countries
For example, you would need at least $10,884 (SGD $14,205) in Singapore to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,900 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Do you live in Iowa City, Iowa? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bangalore (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Chengdu (China)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Youngstown, Ohio (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Cedar Rapids, Iowa (United States)
Prices recently added
- Jeans (levis 501 or similar) in Pattaya costs 350 ฿ (about 1 hour ago)
- Short visit to private doctor in Lisbon costs €85 (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Warsaw costs 70 zł (about 5 hours ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Houston, Texas costs $10 (about 6 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Leuven costs €35 (about 7 hours ago)
- Short visit to private doctor in Quito costs $25 (about 7 hours ago)