Cost of Living: Perth vs Singapore (2026)

Australia vs Singapore — relocation comparison

TL;DRPerth is 32% cheaper on rent ($1821/mo vs $2696/mo). Singapore is safer — homicide rate 0.1 vs 0.8 per 100k. You can get by in English in both — your Duolingo streak can wait.
66
Livability Score
🇦🇺 Perth
Australia
Full profile
69
Livability Score
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore
Full profile
Too close to call — 69 vs 66. Singapore has a slight edge, but Perth might suit you better depending on your priorities.
💰
Cost of Living
Perth
$875/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Singapore
0.1 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Perth
8.7/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
29°C vs 31°C summers
Perth
Metric
Singapore
$1821/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$2696/mo
$428/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$622/mo
$11,432
🧳
Cost to land
$7,761
0.8 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
0.1 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
23 / 100
29°C
☀️
Summer high
31°C
9°C
❄️
Winter low
25°C
Internet speed
279 Mbps
8.7 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
6.2 / 10
Very High (95/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (94/100)
$72k
💼
GDP per capita
$151k
3.2%
📈
Inflation
2.4%
66 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
69 / 100
Grid reliability
99/100 — Reliable
🗽
Freedom House
47/100
📋
Time to PR
2 years

For the Kids

Schools, pediatric care, and whether your children can actually enroll

497
PISA
country avg
560
1
Intl schools
1
Public school
Limited, priority to citizens/PRs (English)
Specialist wait
1–3 weeks
$2347/mo
Childcare
full-day
$1531/mo

Sources: OECD PISA 2022 · Wikipedia · Numbeo · official health systems

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
Industries
financelogisticsbiotechtech
Startup ecosystem
hub
Grid reliability
99/100
Time to PR
2 yrs
EU visa
Moderate
RU visa
Complex
UA visa
Moderate
Spouse works
⚠️ Your partner can exist, not earn

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 32% cheaper in Perth ($1821/mo vs $2696/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are slightly warmer in Singapore (31°C vs 29°C).
  • Singapore is safer by homicide rate (0.1 vs 0.8 per 100k).
  • Perth scores higher on democracy (8.7 vs 6.2 / 10 EIU).

Perth vs Singapore — Common Questions

Is Perth cheaper than Singapore?

Perth is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1821/month in Perth vs $2696/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Perth or Singapore?

Singapore is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Perth has a rate of 0.83 per 100,000 and Singapore has 0.12 per 100,000.

Should I move to Perth or Singapore?

Too close to call — 69 vs 66. Singapore has a slight edge, but Perth might suit you better depending on your priorities. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in Perth or Singapore?

Perth: no specific remote work visa. Singapore: Singapore Tech.Pass (complex process, 2 years (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Perth or Singapore?

Singapore is warmer in summer (31°C vs 29°C). Perth has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.