Raleigh vs Singapore
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh
Singapore
The Verdict
Raleigh is 8.9% less expensive than Singapore overall. A household earning $75,000 in Raleigh would need approximately $82,353 in Singapore to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has the same purchasing power as $82,353 in Singapore.
Conversely, $75,000 in Singapore equals $68,304 in Raleigh.
Living in Raleigh vs Singapore
Housing Costs
Raleigh's housing index of 107 is lower Singapore's 165, translating to median home prices of $370,000 vs $950,000. The $580,000 difference in home prices means roughly $37,704 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Raleigh compared to $2,500/mo in Singapore, a monthly difference of $1,000.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Raleigh and 98 in Singapore. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Raleigh vs $466/month in Singapore. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 94 in Raleigh and 105 in Singapore. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Raleigh vs $420 in Singapore. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Raleigh and 72 in Singapore. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 36-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $67,266 in Raleigh and $58,000 in Singapore. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,947 and $51,786 respectively. Raleigh residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,570/month to housing in Raleigh vs $1,353/month in Singapore. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Singapore, median rent of $2,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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