Skip to content

Singapore vs Dubai

Dubai runs about 7% cheaper than Singapore for this household, a difference of 259 USD a month.

Flower Dome and Cloud Forest Singapore Singapur Singapore Luftbild aerial
Singapore
$3,676/month · Singapore
dronepicr · CC BY 2.0
The skyscrapers of Dubai Marina
Dubai
$3,417/month · United Arab Emirates
Norlando Pobre · CC BY 2.0
Singapore monthly
$3,676
Index 58 (NYC = 100)
Dubai monthly
$3,417
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-7%
Dubai relative to Singapore
Rent gap
$500
Singapore costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SingaporeDubai
  • Housing
    Housing: Singapore $2,600, Dubai $2,100. Cheaper in Dubai.
  • Food
    Food: Singapore $511, Dubai $620. Cheaper in Singapore.
  • Transport
    Transport: Singapore $105, Dubai $92. Cheaper in Dubai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Singapore $180, Dubai $264. Cheaper in Singapore.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Singapore $29, Dubai $44. Cheaper in Singapore.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Singapore $172, Dubai $199. Cheaper in Singapore.
  • Other
    Other: Singapore $80, Dubai $98. 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

MetricSingaporeDubai
Cost
Total monthly cost3,676 USD3,417 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5854✓
Housing2,600 USD2,100 USD✓
Utilities180 USD✓264 USD
Food511 USD✓620 USD
Transport105 USD92 USD✓
Healthcare29 USD✓44 USD
Lifestyle172 USD✓199 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr7,739 USD8,333 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate7.1%0.0%✓
Left over each month4,062 USD4,917 USD✓
Average local net salary4,200 USD✓3,800 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD2,100 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD4,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre16,000 USD5,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety94/100✓88/100
Healthcare92/100✓80/100
Air quality64/100✓48/100
Public transport98/100✓72/100
Walkability86/100✓55/100
English proficiency92/100✓88/100
Nightlife76/10086/100✓
Family friendliness86/100✓76/100
Median broadband300 Mbps300 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C28°C
Summer high32°C✓41°C
Winter low24°C✓15°C
Sunshine hours per year2,020 h3,500 h✓
Annual rainfall2300 mm90 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access25 min15 min✓
CurrencySGDAED
Time zoneAsia/SingaporeAsia/Dubai

Dubai runs about 7% cheaper than Singapore for this household, a difference of 259 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in SingaporeCost of living in DubaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Singapore vs ZurichSingapore vs LondonSingapore vs Hong Kong
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Singapore or Dubai cheaper?

Dubai runs about 7% cheaper than Singapore for this household, a difference of 259 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Dubai compared with Singapore?

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

Which has better quality of life, Singapore or Dubai?

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