Cost of living in Singapore is 210% more expensive than in Kuching (Malaysia)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 510 prices entered by 91 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 118% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Singapore is 118% more expensive than in Kuching (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuching | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | SGD $14 (RM48) | RM14 | + 250% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | SGD $10 (RM33) | RM15 | + 119% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | SGD $7 (RM23) | RM9 | + 147% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | SGD $3.84 (RM13) | RM7 | + 87% | |
| 12 eggs, large | SGD $5.39 (RM18) | RM8 | + 136% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | SGD $4.02 (RM13) | RM5.83 | + 128% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | SGD $13 (RM44) | RM21 | + 115% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | SGD $5.66 (RM19) | RM10 | + 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | SGD $3.22 (RM11) | RM5.54 | + 92% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | SGD $5.61 (RM19) | RM11 | + 67% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | SGD $35 (RM116) | RM70 | + 67% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | SGD $2.83 (RM9) | RM4.09 | + 129% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | SGD $2.82 (RM9) | RM3.44 | + 170% | |
| Housing | + 390% | |||
| Housing in Singapore is 390% more expensive than in Kuching (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuching | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | SGD $6,652 (RM21,970) | RM2,929 | + 650% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | SGD $4,220 (RM13,936) | RM1,548 | + 800% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | SGD $186 (RM613) | RM242 | + 154% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | SGD $3,906 (RM12,901) | RM1,756 | + 635% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | SGD $2,932 (RM9,683) | RM1,047 | + 825% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | SGD $126 (RM416) | RM136 | + 206% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | SGD $47 (RM155) | RM149 | + 4% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | SGD $579 (RM1,913) | RM2,443 | - 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | SGD $137 (RM452) | RM563 | - 20% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | SGD $12 (RM38) | RM25 | + 53% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | SGD $24 (RM79) | RM28 | + 183% | |
| Clothes | + 58% | |||
| Clothes in Singapore is 58% more expensive than in Kuching (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuching | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | SGD $111 (RM365) | RM269 | + 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | SGD $63 (RM209) | RM127 | + 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | SGD $145 (RM478) | RM270 | + 77% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | SGD $174 (RM575) | RM284 | + 102% | |
| Transportation | + 192% | |||
| Transportation in Singapore is 192% more expensive than in Kuching (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuching | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | SGD $164,934 (RM544,713) | RM142,475 | + 282% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | SGD $2.82 (RM9) | RM2.38 | + 291% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | SGD $93 (RM308) | RM139 | + 121% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | SGD $41 (RM137) | RM59 | + 130% | |
| Personal Care | + 164% | |||
| Personal Care in Singapore is 164% more expensive than in Kuching (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuching | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | SGD $13 (RM44) | RM9 | + 368% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | SGD $19 (RM63) | RM18 | + 242% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | SGD $69 (RM228) | RM67 | + 240% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | SGD $13 (RM44) | RM17 | + 166% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | SGD $5.77 (RM19) | RM12 | + 64% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | SGD $10 (RM32) | RM14 | + 126% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | SGD $3.58 (RM12) | RM6 | + 88% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | SGD $5.59 (RM18) | RM6 | + 204% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | SGD $32 (RM107) | RM24 | + 353% | |
| Entertainment | + 175% | |||
| Entertainment in Singapore is 175% more expensive than in Kuching (Malaysia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Singapore | Kuching | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | SGD $52 (RM172) | RM81 | + 113% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | SGD $29 (RM95) | RM37 | + 159% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | SGD $215 (RM710) | RM200 | + 255% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | SGD $157 (RM517) | RM156 | + 230% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | SGD $22 (RM73) | RM23 | + 216% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | SGD $7 (RM24) | RM15 | + 59% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | SGD $11 (RM35) | RM12 | + 200% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | SGD $922 (RM3,045) | RM2,157 | + 41% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | SGD $0.27 (RM0.88) | RM0.29 | + 202% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | SGD $185 (RM612) | RM128 | + 378% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | SGD $16 (RM52) | RM16 | + 223% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 210% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 510 prices entered by 91 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
3.303
MYR
/
SGD
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For example, you would need at least RM29,741 (SGD $9,005) in Singapore to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with RM9,600 in Kuching.
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