Dubai vs Singapore: Which Is Cheaper in 2026?
Detailed cost of living comparison between Dubai, UAE and Singapore, Singapore. Dubai is more affordable with an Anchor Cost Index of 68/100 compared to Singapore's 76/100.
Quick Summary
Rent is
$630/mo cheaper
in Dubai
Food is
+17% more
in Singapore
Transport is
+38% more
in Singapore
📊Anchor Prices
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🍔Big Mac(20%) | $4.09 | $4.80 | +17% |
| 🏠1BR Rent(30%) | $1,995.00/mo | $2,625.00/mo | +32% |
| 🚗Uber 5km(20%) | $4.00 | $5.50 | +38% |
| ☕Starbucks Latte(15%) | $6.10 | $4.00 | +52% |
| 📺YouTube Premium(15%) | $8.99 | $11.98 | +33% |
| 📐 Anchor Cost Index | 68 | 76 | +12% |
📉Visual Comparison
📋Extended Costs
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (City Center) | $2,660.00/mo | $3,500.00/mo | +32% |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside Center) | $1,330.00/mo | $1,750.00/mo | +32% |
| 3BR Apartment (City Center) | $5,320.00/mo | $7,000.00/mo | +32% |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside Center) | $3,040.00/mo | $4,000.00/mo | +32% |
| Price per m² (Buy, City) | $17,200.00/m² | $22,000.00/m² | +28% |
| Price per m² (Buy, Outside) | $10,500.00/m² | $13,500.00/m² | +29% |
| Airbnb (1BR, Monthly) | $3,420.00/mo | $4,500.00/mo | +32% |
| Coliving Space | $1,710.00/mo | $2,250.00/mo | +32% |
| Hostel/Dormitory | $48.00/night | $60.00/night | +25% |
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $19.10 | $13.00 | +47% |
| Meal (Mid-range, 2 people) | $95.00 | $65.00 | +46% |
| McMeal at McDonald's | $11.30 | $7.50 | +51% |
| Domestic Beer (Restaurant) | $7.80 | $5.30 | +47% |
| Imported Beer (Restaurant) | $10.40 | $7.00 | +49% |
| Cappuccino | $6.10 | $4.00 | +52% |
| Coca-Cola (0.33L) | $2.60 | $1.80 | +44% |
| Water (0.33L, Restaurant) | $2.10 | $1.40 | +50% |
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk (1L) | $2.04 | $2.09 | +2% |
| Bread (500g) | $2.15 | $2.04 | +5% |
| Rice (1kg) | $2.15 | $2.15 | 0% |
| Eggs (12) | $2.04 | $2.15 | +5% |
| Chicken Breast (1kg) | $2.15 | $1.94 | +11% |
| Beef Round (1kg) | $2.15 | $1.83 | +17% |
| Apples (1kg) | $1.99 | $2.04 | +3% |
| Banana (1kg) | $2.15 | $2.04 | +5% |
| Tomato (1kg) | $1.83 | $1.83 | 0% |
| Potato (1kg) | $2.15 | $2.15 | 0% |
| Onion (1kg) | $2.15 | $2.07 | +4% |
| Lettuce (1 head) | $2.60 | $1.80 | +44% |
| Water (1.5L) | $2.04 | $2.04 | 0% |
| Wine (Mid-range) | $17.00 | $12.00 | +42% |
| Domestic Beer (0.5L, Store) | $1.83 | $2.15 | +17% |
| Cigarettes (Marlboro) | $13.90 | $9.50 | +46% |
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way Ticket | $2.60 | $1.80 | +44% |
| Monthly Pass | $101.00/mo | $72.00/mo | +40% |
| Taxi Start | $4.10 | $2.80 | +46% |
| Taxi (1km) | $2.30/km | $1.70/km | +35% |
| Taxi 1hr Waiting | $37.00 | $26.00 | +42% |
| Gasoline (1L) | $1.37 | $0.90 | +52% |
| Parking (Monthly, City) | $322.00/mo | $232.00/mo | +39% |
| Car Insurance (Annual) | $1,750.00/yr | $1,240.00/yr | +41% |
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities (85m²) | $216.00/mo | $165.00/mo | +31% |
| Gas (Monthly) | $73.00/mo | $56.00/mo | +30% |
| Mobile Phone (10GB+) | $58.00/mo | $45.00/mo | +29% |
| Internet (60 Mbps+) | $62.00/mo | $48.00/mo | +29% |
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitness Club | $113.00/mo | $78.00/mo | +45% |
| Tennis Court (1hr) | $35.00 | $24.00 | +46% |
| Cinema Ticket | $21.00 | $14.00 | +50% |
| Netflix (Standard) | $16.00/mo | $10.00/mo | +60% |
| Spotify Premium | $11.00/mo | $7.00/mo | +57% |
| Coworking (Daily) | $43.00/day | $30.00/day | +43% |
| Coworking (Monthly) | $450.00/mo | $310.00/mo | +45% |
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501) | $87.00 | $58.00 | +50% |
| Summer Dress (Zara/H&M) | $48.00 | $31.00 | +55% |
| Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $114.00 | $73.00 | +56% |
| Business Shoes (Leather) | $149.00 | $95.00 | +57% |
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool | $1,380.00/mo | $580.00/mo | +138% |
| International School | $57,600.00/yr | $24,000.00/yr | +140% |
| Private Tutoring (1hr) | $115.00 | $48.00 | +140% |
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Visit (15 min) | $90.00 | $66.00 | +36% |
| Dentist Visit | $127.00 | $92.00 | +38% |
| Prescription Medicine | $26.00 | $18.00 | +44% |
| Item | Dubai | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Salary (After Tax) | $6,900.00/mo | $2,900.00/mo | +138% |
| Mortgage Rate | 4% | 7.9% | +98% |
💵Budget Scenarios
| Scenario | Dubai | Singapore | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎒Backpacker | $3,281/mo | $3,056/mo | $225/mo in Singapore |
| 💻Digital Nomad | $4,297/mo | $4,036/mo | $261/mo in Singapore |
| 👨👩👧Small Family | $7,297/mo | $6,723/mo | $574/mo in Singapore |
| 🏢Expat Professional | $5,187/mo | $5,162/mo | $25/mo in Singapore |
📈Key Metrics
| Metric | Dubai | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Rent Burden | 29% | 91% |
| 🍽️ Food Affordability | 8% | 13% |
| 💻 Nomad Score | 72/100 | 75/100 |
| 👨👩👧 Family Score | 70/100 | 70/100 |
✅Verdict: Dubai vs Singapore
Dubai is the more affordable city overall, with an Anchor Cost Index of 68/100 compared to Singapore's 76/100.
Housing: Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,995.00/month in Dubai vs $2,625.00/month in Singapore — a difference of $630.00/month.
Food: A Big Mac costs $4.09 in Dubai and $4.80 in Singapore, indicating food prices are +17% higher in Singapore.
Digital Nomad Budget: A digital nomad can expect to spend approximately $4,297/month in Dubai vs $4,036/month in Singapore.
Data sources: Big Mac Index, Numbeo, World Bank. Updated 2026.
Want to compare more cities?
Use our interactive tool to compare up to 3 cities side by side with 60+ cost items.
Open Interactive Comparison🔗Also Compare
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dubai cheaper than Singapore?
Dubai is more affordable than Singapore. Dubai has an Anchor Cost Index of 68/100 while Singapore scores 76/100. Average rent in Dubai is $1,995.00/month compared to $2,625.00/month in Singapore.
What is the biggest cost difference between Dubai and Singapore?
Housing is typically the biggest cost difference. Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,995.00/month in Dubai vs $2,625.00/month in Singapore, a difference of $630.00/month.
How is the Anchor Cost Index calculated?
Our Anchor Cost Index is a weighted average of 5 standardized items: 1BR Rent (30%), Big Mac (20%), Uber 5km (20%), Starbucks Latte (15%), and YouTube Premium (15%). Scores range from 0 (most affordable) to 100 (most expensive) across 160+ cities worldwide.