Cost of living in Singapore is 73% more expensive than in Iowa City, Iowa (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,075 prices entered by 151 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Singapore is 20% 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 ($9) | $14 | - 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | SGD $10 ($7) | $8 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | SGD $7 ($5.41) | $4.70 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | SGD $3.84 ($2.81) | $0.91 | + 209% | |
| 12 eggs, large | SGD $5.18 ($3.79) | $2.33 | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | SGD $3.58 ($2.62) | - | - | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | SGD $15 ($11) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | SGD $7 ($4.83) | - | - | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | SGD $4.20 ($3.06) | $1.59 | + 93% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | SGD $6 ($4.55) | $2.40 | + 89% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | SGD $47 ($34) | $14 | + 139% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | SGD $3.48 ($2.54) | $1.84 | + 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | SGD $3.19 ($2.33) | $2.26 | + 3% | |
| Housing | + 118% | |||
| Housing in Singapore is 118% 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 $6,335 ($4,626) | $1,810 | + 156% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | SGD $4,697 ($3,430) | $1,036 | + 231% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | SGD $276 ($201) | $153 | + 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | SGD $4,640 ($3,389) | $1,075 | + 215% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | SGD $3,300 ($2,410) | $753 | + 220% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | SGD $181 ($132) | $127 | + 4% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | SGD $44 ($32) | $48 | - 32% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | SGD $756 ($552) | $444 | + 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | SGD $189 ($138) | $84 | + 66% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | SGD $12 ($9) | $11 | - 16% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | SGD $25 ($18) | $25 | - 28% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in Singapore is about the same as in Iowa City, Iowa (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Iowa City, Iowa | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | SGD $142 ($104) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | SGD $58 ($43) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | SGD $143 ($105) | $96 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | SGD $157 ($115) | $110 | + 5% | |
| Transportation | + 115% | |||
| Transportation in Singapore is 115% 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 $153,154 ($111,847) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | SGD $3.03 ($2.21) | $0.78 | + 184% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | SGD $129 ($94) | $30 | + 213% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | SGD $24 ($17) | $17 | + 6% | |
| Personal Care | + 7% | |||
| Personal Care in Singapore is 7% 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 ($9) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | SGD $38 ($28) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | SGD $73 ($53) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | SGD $13 ($10) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | SGD $5.34 ($3.90) | $3.01 | + 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | SGD $19 ($14) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | SGD $3.71 ($2.71) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | SGD $5.21 ($3.80) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | SGD $40 ($29) | $23 | + 26% | |
| Entertainment | + 52% | |||
| Entertainment in Singapore is 52% 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 $88 ($64) | $40 | + 58% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | SGD $31 ($22) | $20 | + 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | SGD $174 ($127) | $110 | + 15% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | SGD $152 ($111) | $92 | + 21% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | SGD $23 ($17) | $7 | + 124% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | SGD $7 ($5.11) | $4.01 | + 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | SGD $12 ($9) | $4.44 | + 96% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | SGD $922 ($673) | $424 | + 59% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | SGD $0.31 ($0.23) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | SGD $189 ($138) | $51 | + 173% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | SGD $16 ($11) | $7 | + 53% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 73% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,075 prices entered by 151 different people.
These prices were last updated on October 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.730
USD
/
SGD
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For example, you would need at least $9,352 (SGD $12,805) in Singapore to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $5,400 in Iowa City, Iowa.
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