Compare countries · India vs Singapore
India vs Singapore
Across 13 comparable indicators: India leads on 3, Singapore on 10. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is India cheaper than Singapore?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts India at 18.9 and Singapore at 87.7. India is about 78% cheaper overall.
Is India or Singapore safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), India scores 2.41 and Singapore scores 1.44. Singapore ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, India or Singapore?
On the UN Human Development Index, India scores 0.644 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.
What is life like in India compared to Singapore?
GNI per capita runs $2,760 in India against $81,760 in Singapore; people live 72.2 years on average against 83.3; Numbeo users rate healthcare 66 against 72. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
India
18.9
Better than 99% of countries
Singapore
87.7
Worse than 97% of countries
India: 78% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
India
4.3
Better than 96% of countries
Singapore
73.1
Worse than 99% of countries
India: 94% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
India
2.41
Worse than 78% of countries
Singapore
1.44
Better than 96% of countries
Singapore: more peaceful (1.44 vs 2.41).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
India
55.8
Around the global middle
Singapore
77.5
Better than 94% of countries
Singapore: higher perceived safety (77.5 vs 55.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
India
0.644
Worse than 69% of countries
Singapore
0.949
Better than 96% of countries
Singapore: higher human development (0.949 vs 0.644).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
India
$11,748
Worse than 67% of countries
Singapore
$163,354
Better than 99% of countries
Singapore: 1290% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
India
72.2 yrs
Worse than 60% of countries
Singapore
83.3 yrs
Better than 93% of countries
Singapore: 11.1 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
India
65.5
Better than 55% of countries
Singapore
71.9
Better than 74% of countries
Singapore: better-rated healthcare (71.9 vs 65.5).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
India
62 Mbps
Worse than 64% of countries
Singapore
421 Mbps
Better than 99% of countries
Singapore: 583% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
India
32/100
Worse than 87% of countries
Singapore
45/100
Worse than 69% of countries
Singapore: freer press (45 vs 32 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
India
4.54
Worse than 78% of countries
Singapore
6.58
Better than 76% of countries
Singapore: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.58 vs 4.54).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
India
484
Worse than 64% of countries
Singapore
700
Better than 94% of countries
Singapore: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 484).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
India
65.2
Worse than 85% of countries
Singapore
57.5
Worse than 91% of countries
India: more pleasant climate rating (65.2 vs 57.5).
Deciding between India and Singapore for real?
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