Tax Rate
#5
of 124 cities
5%
Current value (lower is better)
#69 of 124
Asia
Singapore
Singapore
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Singapore compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Singapore is 46% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Singapore compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$84,192
-$88K (-51%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 5%
Community Insights
NewSingapore presents a polarizing but potentially lucrative opportunity for software engineers. The city-state functions as a highly efficient, low-tax haven with a median net income that rivals or exceeds many European capitals. However, the financial benefits are often partially eroded by exorbitant housing costs (ranked #114 for affordability).
The tech scene is bifurcated: US MNCs generally offer good work-life balance and high pay, while local and Chinese tech firms are frequently criticized on Reddit for demanding hours and a stressful "996" culture. Ultimately, it offers a safe, polished, and convenient lifestyle, but one that requires a high salary to fully enjoy without feeling the squeeze of the cost of living.
Resident Sentiment
Current residents often express a love-hate relationship with the city. Transplants frequently praise the cleanliness, safety, and the ability to travel easily, often citing that their quality of life is higher than back home due to domestic help and convenience.
However, there is a strong undercurrent of anxiety regarding rising rents and the competitive pressure of the workplace. Many treat Singapore as a temporary wealth-building phase (3-5 years) rather than a permanent home, citing the difficulty of buying property and the relentless pace of life.
Rankings
Top 4%
Safety Index
#7
of 124 cities
77.5/100
Current value
Community Events
#10
of 124 cities
19 events on luma
Current value
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Singapore compared to San Francisco?
Avg. Property Price
$19,667 / m²
96% more expensive than San Francisco
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Singapore to maintain the same standard of living.
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