Cost of living in Singapore is 180% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 954 prices entered by 146 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 68% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Singapore is 68% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuala Lumpur | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | SGD $14 (RM48) | RM23 | + 109% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | SGD $10 (RM33) | RM20 | + 64% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | SGD $7 (RM23) | RM12 | + 85% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | SGD $3.84 (RM13) | RM9 | + 47% | |
| 12 eggs, large | SGD $5.39 (RM18) | RM12 | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | SGD $4.02 (RM13) | RM7 | + 105% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | SGD $13 (RM45) | RM28 | + 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | SGD $5.66 (RM19) | RM15 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | SGD $3.22 (RM11) | RM5.64 | + 90% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | SGD $5.61 (RM19) | RM13 | + 40% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | SGD $35 (RM117) | RM73 | + 60% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | SGD $2.83 (RM9) | RM6 | + 55% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | SGD $2.82 (RM9) | RM4.59 | + 103% | |
| Housing | + 347% | |||
| Housing in Singapore is 347% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuala Lumpur | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | SGD $6,652 (RM22,073) | RM3,466 | + 537% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | SGD $4,220 (RM14,001) | RM2,259 | + 520% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | SGD $186 (RM616) | RM237 | + 160% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | SGD $3,906 (RM12,961) | RM2,681 | + 383% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | SGD $2,932 (RM9,728) | RM1,593 | + 511% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | SGD $126 (RM418) | RM166 | + 151% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | SGD $47 (RM156) | RM102 | + 53% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | SGD $579 (RM1,922) | RM1,390 | + 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | SGD $137 (RM454) | RM386 | + 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | SGD $12 (RM39) | RM25 | + 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | SGD $24 (RM79) | RM35 | + 125% | |
| Clothes | + 33% | |||
| Clothes in Singapore is 33% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuala Lumpur | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | SGD $111 (RM367) | RM247 | + 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | SGD $63 (RM210) | RM153 | + 37% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | SGD $145 (RM480) | RM468 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | SGD $174 (RM578) | RM466 | + 24% | |
| Transportation | + 234% | |||
| Transportation in Singapore is 234% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuala Lumpur | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | SGD $164,934 (RM547,261) | RM150,590 | + 263% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | SGD $2.82 (RM9) | RM2.48 | + 277% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | SGD $93 (RM310) | RM108 | + 188% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | SGD $41 (RM138) | RM35 | + 288% | |
| Personal Care | + 108% | |||
| Personal Care in Singapore is 108% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuala Lumpur | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | SGD $13 (RM44) | RM14 | + 222% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | SGD $19 (RM63) | RM26 | + 144% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | SGD $69 (RM229) | RM88 | + 160% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | SGD $13 (RM44) | RM26 | + 68% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | SGD $5.77 (RM19) | RM14 | + 39% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | SGD $10 (RM32) | RM15 | + 112% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | SGD $3.58 (RM12) | RM7 | + 60% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | SGD $5.59 (RM19) | RM10 | + 93% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | SGD $32 (RM107) | RM32 | + 240% | |
| Entertainment | + 109% | |||
| Entertainment in Singapore is 109% more expensive than in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuala Lumpur | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | SGD $52 (RM173) | RM98 | + 77% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | SGD $29 (RM96) | RM40 | + 140% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | SGD $215 (RM713) | RM207 | + 244% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | SGD $157 (RM519) | RM194 | + 168% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | SGD $22 (RM74) | RM38 | + 96% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | SGD $7 (RM24) | RM14 | + 74% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | SGD $11 (RM35) | RM23 | + 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | SGD $922 (RM3,059) | RM2,159 | + 42% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | SGD $0.27 (RM0.88) | RM0.46 | + 90% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | SGD $185 (RM615) | RM247 | + 149% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | SGD $16 (RM52) | RM18 | + 191% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 180% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 954 prices entered by 146 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
3.318
MYR
/
SGD
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For example, you would need at least RM30,781 (SGD $9,277) in Singapore to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM11,000 in Kuala Lumpur.
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