Singapore vs Vietnam
Vietnam costs roughly 3x less than Singapore, though Singapore scores higher on both safety and healthcare, making it one of the more financially compelling destinations for Singapore expats. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Singapore is approximately 3x more expensive than Vietnam based on cost of living including rent. This makes Vietnam a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Vietnam has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 59.2, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Vietnam is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Singapore
Best for families seeking top-tier safety and English fluency, though no retirement or digital nomad visa exists. Safety Index of 77.4 and a US Travel Advisory Level of 1 make it one of the safest Asian hubs, with strong healthcare outcomes. The trade-off is high rent—$2,659.35 for a city-center one-bedroom—and a difficult path to permanent residency.
$-787/mo
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About Vietnam
A 1BR near central Hanoi or Saigon runs $400.6, less than half typical US suburban rent, while monthly costs excluding rent sit near $430.8, meaning a couple can live comfortably around this budget level. Fast internet at 343.05 Mbps supports remote work, and safety metrics beat most Southeast Asian peers. The dealbreaker: a digital nomad visa exists (minimum $600/month remote-work-allowed income), but no retirement visa, so long-term legal residency stays messy regardless of your budget.
$2,169/mo
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Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Singapore | Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 152.8 +57.0 | 95.8 |
| Healthcare Index | 71.8 +10.5 | 61.3 |
| Safety Index | 77.4 +18.2 | 59.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 79.1 | 26.6 +52.5 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $1,127.8 | $430.8 +697 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $4,134.4 | $1,554.9 +2,579.5 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $2,659.35 | $400.6 +2,258.75 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $2,030.18 | $263.55 +1,766.63 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $5,518.87 | $846.6 +4,672.27 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $3,679.76 | $547.09 +3,132.67 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 624.19 Mbps +281.1 | 343.05 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Vietnam. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Vietnam. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
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