Cost of Living: Singapore vs Vienna (2026)

Singapore vs Austria — relocation comparison

TL;DRVienna is 52% cheaper on rent ($1303/mo vs $2696/mo). Singapore gets you to permanent residency 3 years faster (2 vs 5 years). You can get by in English in both — your Duolingo streak can wait.
69
Livability Score
🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore
Full profile
77
Livability Score
🇦🇹 Vienna
Austria
Full profile
Vienna edges ahead 77 to 69. Singapore isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
💰
Cost of Living
Vienna
$1393/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Singapore
0.1 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
Vienna
8.3/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
31°C vs 24°C summers
🗣️
English
Singapore
higher proficiency score
📋
Residency
Singapore
PR in 2 years
Singapore
Metric
Vienna
$2696/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1303/mo
$622/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$877/mo
$7,761
🧳
Cost to land
$7,164
0.1 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
1.0 / 100k
23 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
28 / 100
31°C
☀️
Summer high
24°C
25°C
❄️
Winter low
-2°C
279 Mbps
Internet speed
101 Mbps
6.2 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
8.3 / 10
Very High (94/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (89/100)
$151k
💼
GDP per capita
$74k
2.4%
📈
Inflation
2.9%
69 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
77 / 100
99/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
92/100 — Reliable
47/100
🗽
Freedom House
93/100
2 years
📋
Time to PR
5 years

For the Kids

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

560
PISA
country avg
486
1
Intl schools
5
Limited, priority to citizens/PRs (English)
Public school
Yes (German)
Pediatric care
Comprehensive pediatric coverage included
1–3 weeks
Specialist wait
2–4 weeks
$1531/mo
Childcare
full-day
$375/mo

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

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
financelogisticsbiotechtech
Industries
life-sciencesfintechict-softwarecreative
hub
Startup ecosystem
active
99/100
Grid reliability
92/100
2 yrs
Time to PR
5 yrs
Moderate
EU visa
Easy
Complex
RU visa
Moderate
Moderate
UA visa
Moderate
⚠️ Your partner can exist, not earn
Spouse works
Your partner can also work

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 52% cheaper in Vienna ($1303/mo vs $2696/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Singapore (31°C vs 24°C).
  • Singapore is safer by homicide rate (0.1 vs 1.0 per 100k).
  • Vienna scores higher on democracy (8.3 vs 6.2 / 10 EIU).
  • English is easier to get by in Singapore (94/100 vs 89/100 English proficiency).

Singapore vs Vienna — Common Questions

Is Singapore cheaper than Vienna?

Vienna is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1303/month in Vienna vs $2696/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Singapore or Vienna?

Singapore is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Singapore has a rate of 0.12 per 100,000 and Vienna has 1.01 per 100,000.

Should I move to Singapore or Vienna?

Vienna edges ahead 77 to 69. Singapore isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. 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 Singapore or Vienna?

Singapore: Singapore Tech.Pass (complex process, 2 years (renewable)). Vienna: Austria Red-White-Red Card (complex process, 1 year (renewable)). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, Singapore or Vienna?

Singapore is warmer in summer (31°C vs 24°C). Vienna has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Can I live in Singapore or Vienna without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in Singapore (EF EPI score: 94/100) than in Vienna (89/100). In Singapore, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In Vienna, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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

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