Back to List
Singapore vs Taiwan Cost of Living Comparison 2026: Comprehensive comparison of rent, food, transportation and salary
A complete comparison of living costs in Singapore and Taiwan in 2026, covering rent, food, transportation, medical care, salary levels, etc., with real data tables and various cost comparisons.
Singapore
Taiwan
cost of living
rent
salary
Compare
work overseas
Table of Contents
1. Salary level comparison
Salary levels in Singapore are significantly higher than in Taiwan, minus CPF and higher cost of living.
| Position | Singapore Monthly Salary (SGD) | Taiwan monthly salary (TWD) | gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer (3 years) | S$5,500-8,000 | NT$55,000-75,000 | About 2-2.5 times |
| marketing manager | S$5,000-7,000 | NT$45,000-60,000 | About 2.5 times |
| accountant | S$4,000-6,000 | NT$40,000-55,000 | About 2-2.5 times |
| Starting salary for college graduates | S$3,500-4,500 | NT$30,000-35,000 | About 2.5-3 times |
| Catering service industry | S$2,000-2,800 | NT$28,000-32,000 | About 1.5-2 times |
Tip
- 20% CPF is deducted from salary in Singapore (but this is your money, stored in a provident fund account)
- Taiwan requires about 3-5% deduction for labor health insurance. The actual difference is smaller than the book value.
2. Rent: the biggest gap
Rent is the item with the largest difference in cost of living between Singapore and Taiwan. Rent in Singapore can take up 30-50% of your monthly salary.
| Room type | Singapore (SGD/month) | Taiwan (TWD/month) | gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDB one-bedroom (urban area) | S$2,000-2,800 | NT$12,000-18,000 | 3-4 times |
| HDB one-bedroom (suburban) | S$1,500-2,000 | NT$8,000-12,000 | 3-4 times |
| Private apartment one room | S$2,500-4,000 | NT$15,000-25,000 | 3-4 times |
| Share a room | S$800-1,500 | NT$6,000-10,000 | 3 times |
| Buy a house (per square meter) | S$15,000-25,000 | NT$300,000-800,000 | About 1.5-2 times |
flowchart TD
A{Your salary in Singapore?}
A -->|Below S$4,000| B[Shared or HDB suburb]
A -->|S$4,000-7,000| C[HDB urban or suburban whole floor]
A -->|S$7,000+| D[Private Apartment]
3. food cost comparison
Food costs in Singapore can actually be very cheap – if you’re willing to frequent the Hawker Center.
| project | Singapore (SGD) | Taiwan (TWD) | gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| A meal at the hawker center | S$4-6 | NT$60-100 (food stall) | almost |
| Food Court meal | S$6-10 | NT$100-150 (buffet) | slightly higher |
| A meal in a restaurant | S$15-30 | NT$200-400 | 1.5-2 times |
| A cup of coffee (Kopitiam) | S$1.5-2 | NT$40-60 | almost |
| cup of starbuck | S$6-8 | NT$120-160 | almost |
| Supermarket shopping for the week | S$60-100 | NT$1,000-1,500 | 1.5 times |
| Monthly food budget (province) | S$400-600 | NT$8,000-12,000 | almost |
Tip
- Singapore's Hawker Center is a United Nations-certified cultural heritage, cheap and delicious. Hainanese Chicken Rice from S$4
- It is not cost-effective to cook by yourself in Singapore (because the ingredients are expensive), eating out is the best way to save money
4. Transportation comparison
Public transportation in Singapore is cheap and efficient, but private cars are the most expensive in the world.
-
Mrt (Rapid Train): S$0.9-2.5/Trip, High Coverage. Similar Price To Taipei Mrt
-
Bus: S$0.8-2.0/Trip, Routes Are Dense
-
Grab (Hailing): S$8-15/Trip (Urban), 50% More Expensive Than Uber In Taiwan
-
Buying A Car: Singapore Requires A Coe (Certificate Of Ownership). In 2026, A Coe Will Cost About S$80,000-100,000 (Approximately Nt$1.8-2.3 Million), Not Counting The Car Price.
-
Monthly Transportation (Public Transportation): S$100-150 Vs Taiwan Nt$1,500-2,500, Almost The Same
5. Other cost of living comparisons
In addition to food, clothing, housing and transportation, there are other important cost differences.
| project | Singapore | Taiwan | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile phone monthly fee | S$20-50 | NT$299-599 | Singapore is more expensive |
| Network (home use) | S$30-50 | NT$500-800 | almost |
| Gym monthly fee | S$50-150 | NT$800-1,500 | Singapore is more expensive |
| movie tickets | S$10-14 | NT$280-350 | almost |
| Medical (medical consultation) | S$20-50 (government clinic) | NT$150-500 (health insurance) | Taiwan’s health insurance wins |
| income tax rate | 0-22% (progressive) | 5-40% (progressive) | Singapore has lower tax rates |
| entertainment/social | S$200-500/month | NT$3,000-5,000/month | Singapore is more expensive |
6. Summary of monthly expenses: How much do you need to earn?
Comparison of monthly expenses based on single, renting, and normal quality of life.
| project | Singapore (SGD) | Taiwan (TWD) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (one room) | S$1,800 | NT$12,000 |
| diet | S$500 | NT$10,000 |
| transportation | S$120 | NT$2,000 |
| Mobile + Internet | S$60 | NT$800 |
| entertainment/social | S$300 | NT$3,000 |
| other | S$200 | NT$3,000 |
| total | S$2,980 (approximately NT$69,000) | NT$30,800 |
Tip
- The basic monthly expenses in Singapore are about S$3,000 (approximately NT$69,000), and a monthly salary of S$4,500+ is required to have savings.
- Basic monthly expenses in Taiwan are about NT$31,000, and a monthly salary of NT$40,000+ can provide a good quality of life.
7. Conclusion: Which is better for you?
There is no absolute good or bad, it depends on your life stage and priorities.
-
Choose Singapore: Pursue High Salary And International Experience, Want To Accumulate Savings Quickly (Provided That Housing Costs Are Controlled), Engage In Finance/Technology/Business Fields, And Have A Low Tax Environment
-
Choose Taiwan: Pursuit Of Quality Of Life And Convenience, Complete Health Insurance System, Rich And Cheap Food Culture, High Housing Prices (Relative To Wages) But Low Rental Burden
-
The Best Strategy: Go To Singapore To Earn And Save Money When You Are Young, And Return To Taiwan To Enjoy The Quality Of Life When You Are Middle-Aged - This Is The Choice Of Many Overseas Taiwanese
Key Takeaways
- 1 The average salary in Singapore is about 2-3 times that in Taiwan, but the biggest expense is rent which is 3-5 times higher
- 2 The difference in food costs depends on the choice: Singapore Hawker Center (Hawker Center) prices are similar to Taiwanese snacks
- 3 Singapore's transportation is cheap and efficient, but the cost of buying a car is the highest in the world (one COE costs NT$800,000-1 million)
- 4 Taking into account purchasing power, both places have their own advantages—Singapore is suitable for high-paying professionals, while Taiwan is suitable for pursuing quality of life.
Related Links
Related Quick Guides
2026 AI Investment Complete Guide: Industry Chain Analysis, Taiwan and US Stock ETF Recommendations, Risks and Three Strategies
How to enter the AI investment market? This article contains a panoramic view of the AI industry chain, 6 major concept stocks in Taiwan stocks, recommendations for Taiwan and US stock ETFs, 3 strategies (conservative/sound/active), 6 major risks and pitfalls
2026 Complete Guide to Oil Price Trends: International Oil Price Trends, Taiwan Oil Price Mechanism and Fuel Saving Strategies
In 2026, international oil prices will fluctuate violently due to the situation in the Middle East. A complete analysis of oil price trends, Taiwan's floating oil price mechanism, China Petroleum's absorption policy and practical fuel-saving tips.
2026 Complete Guide to Side Business Income: 12 Popular Side Businesses, Selection Process and Tax Filing Practices in the AI Era
What side jobs can still make money in the AI era? This article contains a comparison of 12 popular side hustles in 2026, the selection and decision-making process, time management skills, side hustle tax practices, and the judgment of switching from a side hustle to a full-time job.
ℹ️
General Disclaimer
The information provided on this site is for reference only. We do not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Users should determine the applicability of the information on their own.