Compare countries · Malaysia vs Singapore
Malaysia vs Singapore
Malaysia(Asia)·
Singapore(Asia)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Malaysia leads on 3, Singapore on 8, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Malaysia
34.0
Better than 71% of countries
Singapore
87.7
Worse than 97% of countries
Malaysia: 61% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Malaysia
9.2
Better than 78% of countries
Singapore
73.1
Worse than 99% of countries
Malaysia: 87% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Malaysia
1.46
Better than 91% of countries
Singapore
1.36
Better than 94% of countries
Singapore: more peaceful (1.36 vs 1.46).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Malaysia
52.0
Worse than 59% of countries
Singapore
77.5
Better than 94% of countries
Singapore: higher perceived safety (77.5 vs 52.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Malaysia
0.807
Better than 68% of countries
Singapore
0.949
Better than 96% of countries
Singapore: higher human development (0.949 vs 0.807).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Malaysia
$41,498
Better than 70% of countries
Singapore
$163,354
Better than 99% of countries
Singapore: 294% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Malaysia
76.8 yrs
Better than 64% of countries
Singapore
83.3 yrs
Better than 93% of countries
Singapore: 6.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Malaysia
70.7
Better than 69% of countries
Singapore
71.9
Better than 74% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Malaysia
166 Mbps
Better than 72% of countries
Singapore
421 Mbps
Better than 99% of countries
Singapore: 153% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Malaysia
53/100
Around the global middle
Singapore
45/100
Worse than 69% of countries
Malaysia: freer press (53 vs 45 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Malaysia
6.00
Around the global middle
Singapore
6.58
Better than 76% of countries
Singapore: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.58 vs 6.00).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Malaysia
581
Better than 75% of countries
Singapore
700
Better than 94% of countries
Singapore: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 581).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Malaysia
58.1
Worse than 90% of countries
Singapore
57.5
Worse than 91% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between Malaysia and Singapore for real?
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Find your match →Full Malaysia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Singapore profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.