Compare countries · Singapore vs United States
Singapore vs United States
Singapore(Asia)·
United States(North America)
Across 12 comparable indicators: Singapore leads on 5, United States on 5, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Singapore cheaper than United States?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Singapore at 87.7 and United States at 68.8. United States is about 22% cheaper overall.
Which has the higher quality of life, Singapore or United States?
On the UN Human Development Index, Singapore scores 0.946 and United States scores 0.938. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Singapore compared to United States?
GNI per capita runs $81,760 in Singapore against $88,810 in United States; people live 83.3 years on average against 78.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 72 against 67. 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)
Singapore
87.7
Worse than 97% of countries
United States
68.8
Worse than 90% of countries
United States: 22% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Singapore
73.1
Worse than 99% of countries
United States
40.7
Worse than 95% of countries
United States: 44% cheaper rents.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Singapore
77.5
Better than 94% of countries
United States
50.8
Worse than 63% of countries
Singapore: higher perceived safety (77.5 vs 50.8).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Singapore
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
United States
0.938
Better than 91% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Singapore
$163,354
Better than 99% of countries
United States
$90,027
Better than 95% of countries
Singapore: 81% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Singapore
83.3 yrs
Better than 93% of countries
United States
78.9 yrs
Better than 75% of countries
Singapore: 4.4 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Singapore
71.9
Better than 74% of countries
United States
67.0
Better than 59% of countries
Singapore: better-rated healthcare (71.9 vs 67.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Singapore
421 Mbps
Better than 99% of countries
United States
308 Mbps
Better than 96% of countries
Singapore: 37% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Singapore
45/100
Worse than 69% of countries
United States
63/100
Better than 64% of countries
United States: freer press (63 vs 45 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Singapore
6.58
Better than 76% of countries
United States
6.82
Better than 85% of countries
United States: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.82 vs 6.58).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Singapore
700
Better than 94% of countries
United States
700
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Singapore
57.5
Worse than 91% of countries
United States
75.8
Worse than 60% of countries
United States: more pleasant climate rating (75.8 vs 57.5).
Not comparable for this pair
- Peace — Global Peace Index: The Global Peace Index doesn't cover one of these countries.
Deciding between Singapore and United States for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.