Singapore VS Stockholm

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Singapore
Singapore
87.7
COLI Index
#5
Global Rank
SGD
Currency
Stockholm
Sweden
64.3
COLI Index
#34
Global Rank
SEK
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
87.7
64.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,200
$1,500
Total Deductions
24.7%
39.0%
Exchange Rate
1 SGD = 6.9884 SEK
Is Singapore cheaper than Stockholm?

Yes, Stockholm is 27% cheaper than Singapore based on our cost of living index. Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, while Singapore has a COLI of 87.7. 27% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Singapore vs Stockholm

Overall, Stockholm is approximately 27% cheaper than Singapore based on our cost of living index. Singapore has a COLI of 87.7 (ranked #5 of 182 cities), while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3 (ranked #34).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Singapore averages $2,200/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. That makes Stockholm approximately 32% cheaper for rent alone.

Singapore has lower total deductions (24.7%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Singapore. 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.

Singapore

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

Stockholm

Income Tax
32%
Employee Social Fees
7.0%
Total: 39.0%Take-Home: kr 267,812/yr

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

Salary Equivalent

If you earn S$97,703 in Singapore, you would need approximately kr 500,612 in Stockholm to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 27% less thanks to lower 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 Singapore (SGD) Stockholm (SEK)
Doctor (General) S$205,646 kr 1,053,687
Software Engineer S$97,111 kr 497,575
Product Manager S$114,248 kr 585,382
Lawyer S$114,248 kr 585,382
Data Scientist S$108,535 kr 556,113
Marketing Manager S$82,258 kr 421,475
Teacher S$54,839 kr 280,983
Nurse S$66,264 kr 339,521

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

Neighborhoods

Singapore (Top 5)

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

Stockholm (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Östermalm1.32x (+32%)
Norrmalm1.22x (+22%)
Gamla Stan1.20x (+20%)
Djurgården1.18x (+18%)
Södermalm1.15x (+15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Singapore or Stockholm more expensive?

Singapore is more expensive overall. Singapore has a COLI of 87.7 while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, making Stockholm approximately 27% cheaper.

What salary in Stockholm equals S$97,703 in Singapore?

To maintain the same standard of living as S$97,703 in Singapore, you would need approximately kr 500,612 in Stockholm.

Is rent cheaper in Singapore or Stockholm?

Average one-bedroom rent in Singapore is $2,200/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. Stockholm has lower rent by approximately 32%.

Which city has lower taxes, Singapore or Stockholm?

Singapore has lower total deductions (24.7%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Singapore.

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.