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Dubai vs Singapore

Dubai runs about 8% cheaper than Singapore for this household, a difference of 259 USD a month.

The skyscrapers of Dubai Marina
Dubai
$3,417/month · United Arab Emirates
Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0
Flower Dome and Cloud Forest Singapore Singapur Singapore Luftbild aerial
Singapore
$3,676/month · Singapore
dronepicr · CC BY 2.0
Dubai monthly
$3,417
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Singapore monthly
$3,676
Index 58 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+8%
Singapore relative to Dubai
Rent gap
$500
Singapore costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

DubaiSingapore
  • Housing
    Housing: Dubai $2,100, Singapore $2,600. Cheaper in Dubai.
  • Food
    Food: Dubai $620, Singapore $511. Cheaper in Singapore.
  • Transport
    Transport: Dubai $92, Singapore $105. Cheaper in Dubai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Dubai $264, Singapore $180. Cheaper in Singapore.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Dubai $44, Singapore $29. Cheaper in Singapore.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Dubai $199, Singapore $172. Cheaper in Singapore.
  • Other
    Other: Dubai $98, Singapore $80. Cheaper in Singapore.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricDubaiSingapore
Cost
Total monthly cost3,417 USD✓3,676 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)54✓58
Housing2,100 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities264 USD180 USD✓
Food620 USD511 USD✓
Transport92 USD✓105 USD
Healthcare44 USD29 USD✓
Lifestyle199 USD172 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr8,333 USD✓7,739 USD
Effective tax + social rate0.0%✓7.1%
Left over each month4,917 USD✓4,062 USD
Average local net salary3,800 USD4,200 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre4,200 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre5,200 USD✓16,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety88/10094/100✓
Healthcare80/10092/100✓
Air quality48/10064/100✓
Public transport72/10098/100✓
Walkability55/10086/100✓
English proficiency88/10092/100✓
Nightlife86/100✓76/100
Family friendliness76/10086/100✓
Median broadband300 Mbps300 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high41°C32°C✓
Winter low15°C24°C✓
Sunshine hours per year3,500 h✓2,020 h
Annual rainfall90 mm✓2300 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach access15 min✓25 min
CurrencyAEDSGD
Time zoneAsia/DubaiAsia/Singapore

Dubai runs about 8% cheaper than Singapore for this household, a difference of 259 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in DubaiCost of living in SingaporeConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Dubai vs Abu DhabiDubai vs Tel AvivDubai vs Doha
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Dubai or Singapore cheaper?

Dubai runs about 8% cheaper than Singapore for this household, a difference of 259 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Singapore compared with Dubai?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $8,333 a month in Dubai and $7,739 in Singapore, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Dubai or Singapore?

Dubai scores 88/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; Singapore scores 94 and 92. Dubai averages 28°C against 28°C in Singapore.