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Singapore vs Tokyo cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore
๐ฏ๐ต Tokyo
At a glance
- Where Tokyo is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (60%โ), Beer (56%โ), Entry ticket (56%โ)
- Where Singapore is clearly cheaper: Taxi (43%โ), Laundry (43%โ), Haircut (43%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Singapore is easier to travel (1.0 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: language โ Singapore 1 vs Tokyo 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Singapore | Tokyo | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | S$ 8$6.15 | ยฅ 1,100$7.43 | Singapore โ17% |
| Street food1 item | S$ 5$3.85 | ยฅ 500$3.38 | Tokyo โ12% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | S$ 45$34.6 | ยฅ 4,000$27 | Tokyo โ22% |
| Coffeeone cup | S$ 6.5$5 | ยฅ 600$4.05 | Tokyo โ19% |
| Beerone bottle | S$ 13$10 | ยฅ 650$4.39 | Tokyo โ56% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | S$ 25$19.2 | ยฅ 1,500$10.1 | Tokyo โ47% |
| Bottled water | S$ 1.6$1.23 | ยฅ 130$0.88 | Tokyo โ29% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | S$ 2.2$1.69 | ยฅ 180$1.22 | Tokyo โ28% |
| Taxi5 km in town | S$ 12$9.23 | ยฅ 2,400$16.2 | Singapore โ43% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | S$ 9$6.92 | ยฅ 1,000$6.76 | similar |
| Transitone ride | S$ 1.5$1.15 | ยฅ 210$1.42 | Singapore โ19% |
| Scooter rentalper day | S$ 20$15.4 | ยฅ 2,000$13.5 | Tokyo โ12% |
| Hotel night3-star | S$ 200$154 | ยฅ 16,000$108 | Tokyo โ30% |
| Studio rent (month) | S$ 3,300$2,538 | ยฅ 150,000$1,014 | Tokyo โ60% |
| Laundry | S$ 5$3.85 | ยฅ 1,000$6.76 | Singapore โ43% |
| SIM card1 week data | S$ 15$11.5 | ยฅ 2,500$16.9 | Singapore โ32% |
| Haircutcut | S$ 20$15.4 | ยฅ 4,000$27 | Singapore โ43% |
| Massage1 hour | S$ 60$46.2 | ยฅ 5,500$37.2 | Tokyo โ19% |
| Half-day tourper person | S$ 70$53.8 | ยฅ 9,000$60.8 | Singapore โ11% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | S$ 40$30.8 | ยฅ 2,000$13.5 | Tokyo โ56% |
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, Singapore or Tokyo?
Tokyo is 31% cheaper than Singapore. Daily budget $249 vs $212; a month $7,084 vs $3,723.
Which is easier to travel, Singapore or Tokyo?
Singapore is easier: Singapore 1.0/5 vs Tokyo 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Singapore and Tokyo?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Singapore is about $7,084 and Tokyo about $3,723 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.