Singapore vs Vietnam Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Vietnam is approximately 67% cheaper than Singapore overall, with a cost of living index of 26 vs 79 (NYC = 100 baseline, 2026 data). Vietnam has notably lower rents (77% cheaper on the Rent Index). Food shopping in Vietnam is around 69% cheaper. Residents of Singapore generally enjoy stronger local purchasing power.
Vietnam is 67% cheaper than Singapore overall
$3,000 budget in Singapore =$1,000/mo in Vietnam
Monthly saving~$2,000/mo
Rent — Vietnam vs Singapore~$315/mo vs ~$1,370/mo
World Bank 2026GlobalCostData ResearchUpdated April 2026NYC Index = 100
🇸🇬
Singapore
79.2
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$950–$1,742/mo typical
vs
🇻🇳
Vietnam
26.4
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$317–$581/mo typical
Cheaper option
Cheaper country
Vietnam
67% less expensive
Singapore GNI
$126.2k
per capita
Vietnam GNI
$15.8k
per capita
Singapore Inflation
2.4%
annual rate
Vietnam Inflation
3.6%
annual rate
Expat Score A
0.8
/ 10
Expat Score B
1.7
/ 10
Side-by-Side Comparison
All indices: NYC = 100 baseline · Lower cost index = cheaper · ✓ = winner per metric
Singapore
Metric
Vietnam
79.2
CoL Index↓ lower = cheaper
26.4 ✓
42.8 ~$1,370/mo 1-bed city
Rent Index↓ lower = cheaper
9.9 ✓~$315/mo 1-bed city
62.4 ~$260/mo monthly
Groceries↓ lower = cheaper
19.1 ✓~$80/mo monthly
68.3 ~$14/meal per person
Restaurants↓ lower = cheaper
31.8 ✓~$6/meal per person
$126.2k ✓
GNI / Capita↑ higher = wealthier
$15.8k
2.4% ✓
Inflation Rate↓ lower = more stable
3.6%
0.8
Expat Score↑ higher = better
1.7 ✓
Cost of Living Comparison
Our Verdict: Singapore vs Vietnam
Vietnam is significantly cheaper than Singapore (67% overall). A $3,000 budget in Singapore buys $1,000/month equivalent in Vietnam — a saving of ~$2,000/month that compounds fast for long-stay expats.
Choose Singapore if…
Higher local income levels ($126.2k GNI vs $15.8k)
Stronger local purchasing power for residents
More stable prices — lower inflation (2.4% vs 3.6%)
Enter your monthly budget in Singapore to see the equivalent purchasing power in Vietnam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Singapore vs Vietnam cost of living
Is Singapore cheaper than Vietnam?
No, Vietnam is approximately 67% cheaper than Singapore based on the Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100). Singapore scores 79 vs Vietnam at 26 on the overall index. In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $856 in Singapore versus $198 in Vietnam. Grocery prices in Vietnam run about 69% lower (Groceries Index: Singapore=62, Vietnam=19). That said, actual daily costs depend heavily on your city of residence, housing choice, and lifestyle — capital cities in both countries command a significant premium over smaller regional cities.
How much cheaper is Vietnam than Singapore?
Vietnam is about 67% cheaper than Singapore overall. In practical terms, a $3,000/month budget in Singapore is roughly equivalent to $1,000/month in Vietnam in terms of purchasing power — a saving of $2,000/month. Similarly, a $2,000/month lifestyle in Singapore translates to around $667/month in Vietnam. Dining out in Vietnam is approximately 53% more affordable (Restaurant Index: Singapore=68, Vietnam=32). These savings can compound significantly for long-term expats or retirees choosing Vietnam as their base.
How do rent costs compare between Singapore and Vietnam?
Vietnam has lower average housing costs based on the Rent Index (Singapore: 42.8, Vietnam: 9.9 — NYC = 100). In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $856 in Singapore versus $198 in Vietnam. In both countries, city-centre apartments command a 30–50% premium over suburban equivalents. Expats consistently find the best rent-to-quality ratio by living 15–30 minutes from the city core. Residents of Singapore benefit from stronger local purchasing power (LPP index: Singapore=88, Vietnam=16).
Which country is better for expats, Singapore or Vietnam?
Both Singapore and Vietnam attract significant expat communities, but for different reasons. Vietnam edges ahead on our Expat Value Score (Singapore scores 0.8, Vietnam scores 1.7). Vietnam offers lower day-to-day costs, which matters most for those on fixed incomes, remote salaries, or early retirement budgets. Singapore has a higher GNI per capita ($126.2k vs $15.8k) — meaning average incomes are higher, which partly offsets the cost differences for locals. Climate, language accessibility, visa pathways, healthcare quality, and expat community size are equally decisive factors — budget alone rarely determines the right choice.
Can I live comfortably in Vietnam on $2,000/month?
With a cost of living index of 26 (NYC=100), Vietnam allows a $2,000/month budget to stretch very comfortably. A frugal single-person lifestyle — shared or suburban housing, home cooking, local transport — typically costs $238–$438/month. A comfortable lifestyle with a private 1-bedroom, regular dining out, and leisure runs $475–$875/month. Inflation is currently lower in Singapore (Singapore: 2.4%, Vietnam: 3.6%), which affects how purchasing power evolves over time. Expats from high-cost Western countries typically see their purchasing power increase significantly in Vietnam, particularly outside capital cities.