City Comparison

Roanoke vs Singapore

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

Singapore

Singapore
112
Above Average
$950,000
Median Home
$2,500/mo
Median Rent
$58,000
Median Income

The Verdict

27.7%

Living in Roanoke costs 27.7% less than Singapore. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Roanoke, you would need $103,704 in Singapore.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
57
Roanoke
165
Singapore
Groceries
97
Roanoke
98
Singapore
Utilities
116
Roanoke
105
Singapore
Transportation
98
Roanoke
95
Singapore
Healthcare
91
Roanoke
72
Singapore

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has the same purchasing power as $103,704 in Singapore.

Conversely, $75,000 in Singapore equals $54,241 in Roanoke.

Living in Roanoke vs Singapore

Housing Costs

Roanoke's housing index of 57 is lower Singapore's 165, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $950,000. The $725,000 difference in home prices means roughly $47,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Roanoke compared to $2,500/mo in Singapore, a monthly difference of $1,425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Roanoke and 98 in Singapore. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Roanoke 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 116 in Roanoke and 105 in Singapore. Monthly utility bills average approximately $464 in Roanoke 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 91 in Roanoke and 72 in Singapore. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,700 in Roanoke and $58,000 in Singapore. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,062 and $51,786 respectively. Roanoke residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,230/month to housing in Roanoke vs $1,353/month in Singapore. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/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 108 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 27.7% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 112.
A $75,000 salary in Roanoke has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $103,704 in Singapore, based on the cost of living difference.
Roanoke's housing index is 57 with median homes at $225,000, while Singapore's is 165 with median homes at $950,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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