Singapore ranked 13th most expensive worldwide

Singapore is ranked 5th in Asia, after Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Osaka in the Mercer 2008 Cost of Living survey.

I would rather choose to live in Seoul, Tokyo or Osaka than Singapore or Hong Kong, as my impression of these cities are that they are much more comfortable places to live in (I can’t say the same about the stress levels in Japan and Korea, though) and thus worth the slightly higher costs, as compared to Singaproe.

In worldwide rankings, Singapore is ranked 13th, after the above Asian cities, as well as Moscow, with European cities as the others above Singapore.

When high costs of living != high quality of living

Despite the high costs and stress levels of being Singaporeans, we don’t appear to have as high quality of living as people from other cities at the top of the cost of living list. We ranked 32nd worldwide in the 2008 Mercer survey on Quality of Living, while most of the European cities that ranked higher than Singapore in cost of living were well above us in this aspect.

In short, as Singaporeans, we are not getting bang for our buck, as well as the requirement that we have (preferably unquestioning) faith in, and obedience to the uniquely Singapore system of governance.

It must be noted, however, that the study was on ‘expatriate’ cost of living - so it most probably did not factor in government handouts and other benefits. The reason for Singapore being so way high up is probably attributable to costs of private housing, since expatriates are not entitled to subsidized housing.

But I am sure people would agree with me that besides housing, there are so many other things in Singapore that make it an expensive place to live in (i.e. electricity, water bills, rising costs of everything, etc).

Surprisingly, Vancouver (yes, I’m not attempting to hide my love for this city) ranked 64th - way down the list compared to Singapore, but in terms of quality of living it ranked 4th worldwide. Now, that’s what I call bang for buck!

Hi bro,
Singapore is not that dear of a place, it would depends on what you spend it on.

My humble two cents.

but those expats still rank us the best countries to stay in the world lor.

BlueCat said:

but those expats still rank us the best countries to stay in the world lor.

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Please take that ranking article with a pinch of salt

BlueCat said:

but those expats still rank us the best countries to stay in the world lor.

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They look at different things lor.

It depends what you look at or compare. Very subjective.

aakumu said:

Hi bro,
Singapore is not that dear of a place, it would depends on what you spend it on.

My humble two cents.

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Believe me, even in Perth, where costs of living is supposedly higher, there are many ways to live a lifestyle that is cheaper. This is because the way society runs here, the government doesn't interfere.

In Singapore, there's a real default lifestyle- simply because of the amount of government presence in everyone's life. Just imagine this: in Singapore, you have NTUC and DBS everywhere. Starhub and SMRT are also everywhere. Everywhere is either run by a government organisation or offered by a government company. And then HDB flats and cars are expensive.

And you have to live a hectic lifestyle, which you cannot choose.

So who says Singapore is better, and cheaper? When you have to spend most of your income and taxes on government services by government companies or organisations, how can you save money?

The_Latest_H said:

Believe me, even in Perth, where costs of living is supposedly higher, there are many ways to live a lifestyle that is cheaper. This is because the way society runs here, the government doesn't interfere.

In Singapore, there's a real default lifestyle- simply because of the amount of government presence in everyone's life. Just imagine this: in Singapore, you have NTUC and DBS everywhere. Starhub and SMRT are also everywhere. Everywhere is either run by a government organisation or offered by a government company. And then HDB flats and cars are expensive.

And you have to live a hectic lifestyle, which you cannot choose.

So who says Singapore is better, and cheaper? When you have to spend most of your income and taxes on government services by government companies or organisations, how can you save money?

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Australia higher pay but tax also higher.

In Spore also you can choose to lead a lower lifestyle wat. Buy cheaper stuff, take public transport etc. I think the prerogative falls on the individual to decide how he leads his life instead of comparing with others.

zack123 said:

Australia higher pay but tax also higher.

In Spore also you can choose to lead a lower lifestyle wat. Buy cheaper stuff, take public transport etc. I think the prerogative falls on the individual to decide how he leads his life instead of comparing with others.

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Ah but you can save more. And believe me, between a marketplace that has starhub, singtel and M1, and the Aussie market of having 5 telecoms, like Optus, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, Telstra and 3 Mobile, the real marketplace, free and fair is cheaper for consumers.

For example, in Singapore, the iPhone costs $700 upfront and it hasn't included the monthly contract. Here in Australia, it costs $0 upfront for most companies- except for Vodafone and Telstra- and you only pay for the contract cost per month.

In the end, dude: cheaper stuff is available at NTUC, a government run supermarket. Public transportation is provided by SBS, a privatised government company. Here, we have Coles, Woolsworth and IGA- all almost public, non-state owned companies. None of them are held by the government. Transperth is ran not as a corporation but as a service provider.

So its cheaper. So how can you save when you're spending most of your money on services that are provided by the government- which is simply very money-minded?

Lets put it in this way: in a government run monopoly marketplace, there's no cost benefit, only high marginal costs- because the government sets the selling price for its own benefits. In a marketplace that is allowed to run its course- with regulation limits- and not controlled by the government, stuff is cheaper- because competition ensures that marginal benefits equal or are more than the marginal costs.

Microeconomics are elementary my friend, but they are so important. Have you learnt any economics in the first place, my friend?

The_Latest_H said:

Ah but you can save more. And believe me, between a marketplace that has starhub, singtel and M1, and the Aussie market of having 5 telecoms, like Optus, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile, Telstra and 3 Mobile, the real marketplace, free and fair is cheaper for consumers.

For example, in Singapore, the iPhone costs $700 upfront and it hasn't included the monthly contract. Here in Australia, it costs $0 upfront for most companies- except for Vodafone and Telstra- and you only pay for the contract cost per month.

In the end, dude: cheaper stuff is available at NTUC, a government run supermarket. Public transportation is provided by SBS, a privatised government company. Here, we have Coles, Woolsworth and IGA- all almost public, non-state owned companies. None of them are held by the government. Transperth is ran not as a corporation but as a service provider.

So its cheaper. So how can you save when you're spending most of your money on services that are provided by the government- which is simply very money-minded?

Lets put it in this way: in a government run monopoly marketplace. there's no cost benefit, only high marginal costs. In a marketplace that is allowed to run its course- with regulation limits- and not controlled by the government, stuff is cheaper- because competition ensures that marginal benefits equal or are more than the marginal costs.

Microeconomics are elementary my friend, but they are so important. Have you learnt any economics in the first place, my friend?

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Yah truly i am the ignorant one in the area of economics. I learnt life through the streets so am not able to provide the solutions to the world's problems unlike those who have studied economics of any level and would be able to enlighten me on how best we can plan the country's economic policy.

For me, its not a choice of getting an Iphone for $700 but the purpose of the object. If I want to talk, listen to some music at the same time, there are options. So in my case being a infidel would choose something which meets my need at the lowest cost. Some people say I am stupid, but for me it meets the purpose.

Similarly, I will buy food from where it is cheapest be it NTUC, wet market etc as long as it is good and not past its expiry date. For tansport, I may opt to take the bus or mrt which i saw many pple in cities like Tokyo, NY and London does the same thing. So likewise i thought seeing on TV these pple in 1st world status taking the public transport made it feel normal. I haven't made cost comparisons as these would be best left to those who are practiced and have studies economics and statistics.

Lucky for me that I have not driven as i had noticed that the price of oil which is decided by market forces have been on a high. Notwithstanding this, many people in other countries have asked the government to control the price as they could not afford such a high price.

But what struck me was that as oil prices are going on a high caused by the specultaors who i guess would have studies economics in order to understand the effects of demand and supply, the people are suffering.

I guess more people need to study economics to make the world a better place. I am really sorry that i had not studied economics and brought about such problems to the world. If i ever have a child, the first thing i would tech him is economics.

If not he can never migrate to Australia which harbours the best quality of life...next to heaven.

makapaaa said:

While Sporns' pay is still in the league of developing cuntries - and the Ministers are the BEST PAID in the world. In fact their pay is even higher that the leaders of the OECD cuntries combined. If this is not Leegalized corruption, what is? Still dun want to revolt? Still dun want to emigrate and get back whatever if left of your SeePF before some Familee Old Fart and butch squander it away?

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Blame Sinkee Chinkees like yourself dude not the ministers. You are after all according to the old fart, the preferred Confucian stock. I like to call it Confusion stock. Heehee. Not that you are culturally superior but far from it. Singapore today is a product of your acquiescence and love for $$$ over human decency and graciousness. You either cower before those that govern you or you run with your tail between your legs. The sooner your breed is extinct the better for this tiny island.

yellow_people said:

Blame Sinkee Chinkees like yourself dude not the ministers. You are after all according to the old fart, the preferred Confucian stock. I like to call it Confusion stock. Heehee. Not that you are culturally superior but far from it. Singapore today is a product of your acquiescence and love for $$$ over human decency and graciousness. You either cower before those that govern you or you run with your tail between your legs. The sooner your breed is extinct the better for this tiny island.

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Clap clap!!!! Do you think that there are good chinese around? I mean around the world including sinkieland.

tonychat said:

Clap clap!!!! Do you think that there are good chinese around? I mean around the world including sinkieland.

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off-topic..

but i will be magnanimous n not give u an infraction.. unlike u..

13th in the world???
garment not happy...surely one day spore will upp to top 3 in ranking

Cannot afford, then fuck off !!

Now I see why our ministers needs $$$

zack123 said:

Yah truly i am the ignorant one in the area of economics. I learnt life through the streets so am not able to provide the solutions to the world's problems unlike those who have studied economics of any level and would be able to enlighten me on how best we can plan the country's economic policy.

For me, its not a choice of getting an Iphone for $700 but the purpose of the object. If I want to talk, listen to some music at the same time, there are options. So in my case being a infidel would choose something which meets my need at the lowest cost. Some people say I am stupid, but for me it meets the purpose.

Similarly, I will buy food from where it is cheapest be it NTUC, wet market etc as long as it is good and not past its expiry date. For tansport, I may opt to take the bus or mrt which i saw many pple in cities like Tokyo, NY and London does the same thing. So likewise i thought seeing on TV these pple in 1st world status taking the public transport made it feel normal. I haven't made cost comparisons as these would be best left to those who are practiced and have studies economics and statistics.

Lucky for me that I have not driven as i had noticed that the price of oil which is decided by market forces have been on a high. Notwithstanding this, many people in other countries have asked the government to control the price as they could not afford such a high price.

But what struck me was that as oil prices are going on a high caused by the specultaors who i guess would have studies economics in order to understand the effects of demand and supply, the people are suffering.

I guess more people need to study economics to make the world a better place. I am really sorry that i had not studied economics and brought about such problems to the world. If i ever have a child, the first thing i would tech him is economics.

If not he can never migrate to Australia which harbours the best quality of life...next to heaven.

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Well, when you basically admit that you are living as a frog in that deep well, I guess you'd never understand. Go ahead and be ignorant, my friend. Ignorance is definitely bliss to you.