Singapore VS Toronto

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Singapore
Singapore
87.7
COLI Index
#5
Global Rank
SGD
Currency
Toronto
Canada
62.3
COLI Index
#40
Global Rank
CAD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
87.7
62.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,200
$2,000
Total Deductions
24.7%
31.6%
Exchange Rate
1 SGD = 1.0393 CAD
Is Singapore cheaper than Toronto?

Yes, Toronto is 29% cheaper than Singapore based on our cost of living index. Toronto has a COLI of 62.3, while Singapore has a COLI of 87.7. 29% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Singapore vs Toronto

Overall, Toronto is approximately 29% cheaper than Singapore based on our cost of living index. Singapore has a COLI of 87.7 (ranked #5 of 182 cities), while Toronto has a COLI of 62.3 (ranked #40).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Singapore averages $2,200/month compared to $2,000/month in Toronto. That makes Toronto approximately 9% cheaper for rent alone.

Singapore has lower total deductions (24.7%) compared to Toronto (31.6%), 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

Toronto

Income Tax
16%
CPP + EI
6.8%
Provincial Tax (Ontario)
9.15%
Total: 31.6%Take-Home: C$43,276/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 C$72,134 in Toronto to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 29% 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) Toronto (CAD)
Doctor (General) S$205,646 C$151,828
Software Engineer S$97,111 C$71,697
Product Manager S$114,248 C$84,349
Lawyer S$114,248 C$84,349
Data Scientist S$108,535 C$80,131
Marketing Manager S$82,258 C$60,731
Teacher S$54,839 C$40,487
Nurse S$66,264 C$48,922

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%)

Toronto (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Yorkville1.30x (+30%)
Forest Hill1.28x (+28%)
King West1.22x (+22%)
Downtown Core1.18x (+18%)
Distillery District1.15x (+15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Singapore or Toronto more expensive?

Singapore is more expensive overall. Singapore has a COLI of 87.7 while Toronto has a COLI of 62.3, making Toronto approximately 29% cheaper.

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

To maintain the same standard of living as S$97,703 in Singapore, you would need approximately C$72,134 in Toronto.

Is rent cheaper in Singapore or Toronto?

Average one-bedroom rent in Singapore is $2,200/month compared to $2,000/month in Toronto. Toronto has lower rent by approximately 9%.

Which city has lower taxes, Singapore or Toronto?

Singapore has lower total deductions (24.7%) compared to Toronto (31.6%), 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.