Lima VS Singapore

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Lima
Peru
25.8
COLI Index
#93
Global Rank
PEN
Currency
Singapore
Singapore
87.7
COLI Index
#5
Global Rank
SGD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
25.8
87.7
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$450
$2,200
Total Deductions
19.2%
24.7%
Exchange Rate
1 PEN = 0.3516 SGD
Is Lima cheaper than Singapore?

Yes, Lima is 71% cheaper than Singapore based on our cost of living index. Lima has a COLI of 25.8, while Singapore has a COLI of 87.7. 71% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Lima vs Singapore

Overall, Lima is approximately 71% cheaper than Singapore based on our cost of living index. Lima has a COLI of 25.8 (ranked #93 of 182 cities), while Singapore has a COLI of 87.7 (ranked #5).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Lima averages $450/month compared to $2,200/month in Singapore. That makes Lima approximately 80% cheaper for rent alone.

Lima has lower total deductions (19.2%) compared to Singapore (24.7%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lima. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Lima

Income Tax
6%
ONP/AFP + EsSalud
13.0%
Total: 19.2%Take-Home: S/57,911/yr

Singapore

Income Tax
5%
CPF (Employee Share)
20.0%
Total: 24.7%Take-Home: S$64,545/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn S/277,861 in Lima, you would need approximately S$332,116 in Singapore to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 71% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Lima (PEN) Singapore (SGD)
Doctor (General) S/172,052 S$205,646
Software Engineer S/81,247 S$97,111
Product Manager S/95,584 S$114,248
Lawyer S/95,584 S$114,248
Data Scientist S/90,805 S$108,535
Marketing Manager S/68,821 S$82,258
Teacher S/45,880 S$54,839
Nurse S/55,439 S$66,264

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Lima (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
San Isidro1.30x (+30%)
Miraflores1.28x (+28%)
Barranco1.15x (+15%)
Surco1.08x (+8%)
La Molina1.05x (+5%)

Singapore (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Sentosa1.40x (+40%)
Marina Bay1.35x (+35%)
Orchard Road1.30x (+30%)
Raffles Place1.25x (+25%)
Dempsey Hill1.22x (+22%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lima or Singapore more expensive?

Singapore is more expensive overall. Lima has a COLI of 25.8 while Singapore has a COLI of 87.7, making Lima approximately 71% cheaper.

What salary in Singapore equals S/277,861 in Lima?

To maintain the same standard of living as S/277,861 in Lima, you would need approximately S$332,116 in Singapore.

Is rent cheaper in Lima or Singapore?

Average one-bedroom rent in Lima is $450/month compared to $2,200/month in Singapore. Lima has lower rent by approximately 80%.

Which city has lower taxes, Lima or Singapore?

Lima has lower total deductions (19.2%) compared to Singapore (24.7%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Lima.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.