The Verdict
Living in San Francisco is 22% more expensive than Singapore.
If you move from San Francisco to Singapore, you will pay less for housing and less for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a £40,000 salary in San Francisco, you would need to earn about £33,231 in Singapore.
of 6 categories
categories
of 6 categories
Category Breakdown
Compare costs across 6 key categories
City Profiles
What makes each city unique
Why people love San Francisco:
Why people love Singapore:
Real Monthly Costs
Estimated costs based on London baseline prices
| Expense | San Francisco | Singapore | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment (city centre) | £3,900 | £2,700 | £-1,200 |
| Monthly groceries | £378 | £298 | £-80 |
| Dining out (10 meals) | £275 | £188 | £-87 |
| Public transport pass | £144 | £128 | £-16 |
| Utilities (electric, heating, water) | £189 | £171 | £-18 |
| Total Monthly | £4,886 | £3,484 | £-1,402 |
* Estimates based on London = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.
Who Should Choose Which City?
Recommendations based on your priorities
- Want higher earning potential (£5,530/mo avg)
- Work in tech or startups
- Want lower overall living costs (22% cheaper)
- Are looking for more affordable housing
Salary Equivalence
How much you'd need in Singapore to match a San Francisco salary
| Salary in San Francisco | Equivalent in Singapore | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| £30,000 | £24,923 | £5,077 less |
| £40,000 | £33,231 | £6,769 less |
| £50,000 | £41,538 | £8,462 less |
| £60,000 | £49,846 | £10,154 less |
| £80,000 | £66,462 | £13,538 less |
| £100,000 | £83,077 | £16,923 less |
San Francisco vs Singapore: Summary
The overall cost of living differs by 22%. Singapore is the more affordable option.
Rent: San Francisco has a rent index of 195, while Singapore has 135.
Average Salaries: San Francisco: £5,530/month vs Singapore: £3,835/month (both in GBP).
Out of 6 categories, San Francisco wins 0, while Singapore wins 6.
Compare more cities or calculate your UK take-home pay.