Compare countries · China vs Singapore
China vs Singapore
Across 13 comparable indicators: China leads on 3, Singapore on 9, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
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Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
30.5
Better than 79% of countries
Singapore
87.7
Worse than 97% of countries
China: 65% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
10.4
Better than 73% of countries
Singapore
73.1
Worse than 99% of countries
China: 86% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
China
2.01
Around the global middle
Singapore
1.36
Better than 94% of countries
Singapore: more peaceful (1.36 vs 2.01).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
China
76.9
Better than 93% of countries
Singapore
77.5
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
China
0.788
Better than 61% of countries
Singapore
0.949
Better than 96% of countries
Singapore: higher human development (0.949 vs 0.788).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
China
$29,333
Better than 61% of countries
Singapore
$163,354
Better than 99% of countries
Singapore: 457% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
China
78.0 yrs
Better than 71% of countries
Singapore
83.3 yrs
Better than 93% of countries
Singapore: 5.3 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
China
69.2
Better than 68% of countries
Singapore
71.9
Better than 74% of countries
Singapore: better-rated healthcare (71.9 vs 69.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
China
212 Mbps
Better than 82% of countries
Singapore
421 Mbps
Better than 99% of countries
Singapore: 98% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
China
14/100
Worse than 99% of countries
Singapore
45/100
Worse than 69% of countries
Singapore: freer press (45 vs 14 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
China
6.07
Better than 56% of countries
Singapore
6.58
Better than 76% of countries
Singapore: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.58 vs 6.07).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
China
464
Worse than 74% of countries
Singapore
700
Better than 94% of countries
Singapore: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 464).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
China
74.4
Worse than 63% of countries
Singapore
57.5
Worse than 91% of countries
China: more pleasant climate rating (74.4 vs 57.5).
Quick answers
Is China cheaper than Singapore?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts China at 30.5 and Singapore at 87.7. China is about 65% cheaper overall.
Is China or Singapore safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), China scores 2.01 and Singapore scores 1.36. Singapore ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, China or Singapore?
On the UN Human Development Index, China scores 0.788 and Singapore scores 0.949. Singapore scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
Deciding between China and Singapore for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.