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Brisbane vs Singapore cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ฆ๐บ Brisbane
๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore
At a glance
- Where Singapore is clearly cheaper: Local meal (62%โ), Street food (62%โ), Haircut (42%โ)
- Where Brisbane is clearly cheaper: Transit (71%โ), Studio rent (month) (40%โ), Cocktail & wine (27%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Singapore is easier to travel (1.0 vs 1.4). Biggest gap: getting around โ Brisbane 2 vs Singapore 1. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Brisbane | Singapore | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | A$ 24$16 | S$ 8$6.15 | Singapore โ62% |
| Street food1 item | A$ 15$10 | S$ 5$3.85 | Singapore โ62% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | A$ 55$36.7 | S$ 45$34.6 | Singapore โ6% |
| Coffeeone cup | A$ 6$4 | S$ 6.5$5 | Brisbane โ20% |
| Beerone bottle | A$ 12$8 | S$ 13$10 | Brisbane โ20% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | A$ 21$14 | S$ 25$19.2 | Brisbane โ27% |
| Bottled water | A$ 2.5$1.67 | S$ 1.6$1.23 | Singapore โ26% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | A$ 4$2.67 | S$ 2.2$1.69 | Singapore โ37% |
| Taxi5 km in town | A$ 18$12 | S$ 12$9.23 | Singapore โ23% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | A$ 10$6.67 | S$ 9$6.92 | similar |
| Transitone ride | A$ 0.5$0.33 | S$ 1.5$1.15 | Brisbane โ71% |
| Scooter rentalper day | A$ 35$23.3 | S$ 20$15.4 | Singapore โ34% |
| Hotel night3-star | A$ 180$120 | S$ 200$154 | Brisbane โ22% |
| Studio rent (month) | A$ 2,300$1,533 | S$ 3,300$2,538 | Brisbane โ40% |
| Laundry | A$ 5.5$3.67 | S$ 5$3.85 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | A$ 17$11.3 | S$ 15$11.5 | similar |
| Haircutcut | A$ 40$26.7 | S$ 20$15.4 | Singapore โ42% |
| Massage1 hour | A$ 85$56.7 | S$ 60$46.2 | Singapore โ19% |
| Half-day tourper person | A$ 120$80 | S$ 70$53.8 | Singapore โ33% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | A$ 63$42 | S$ 40$30.8 | Singapore โ27% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Brisbane or Singapore?
Brisbane is 14% cheaper than Singapore. Daily budget $248 vs $249; a month $5,404 vs $7,084.
Which is easier to travel, Brisbane or Singapore?
Singapore is easier: Singapore 1.0/5 vs Brisbane 1.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Brisbane and Singapore?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Brisbane is about $5,404 and Singapore about $7,084 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.