Cost of living calculator

Every figure is a planning estimate for one person in that city, built from the same three tiers used across all 33 dossiers and cross-checked against current rental listings, client budgets and recent price levels. Because the methodology is identical everywhere, the differences between cities are the signal: if Ho Chi Minh City comes out at roughly a quarter of Singapore, that reflects real markets, not inconsistent methods. Figures were reviewed in the September 2026 pass; the review date sits at the foot of every dossier.

Worked example: a reader comparing Ho Chi Minh City and Singapore looks up both dossiers and sees a comfortable tier of $900/month versus $3,500/month. Pull both into the calculator and drop the rent line to see exactly how much of that gap is housing against the rest of the monthly basket — which is the number that actually decides the comparison.

Does the estimate include flights, visas or furniture?

No — the tiers cover recurring monthly lines only: housing, food, transport, utilities and internet, entertainment, and health insurance. One-off move costs belong in the budget planner, where you add flights, deposit and visa fees as a first-month line.

Why are there three tiers instead of one number?

Because 'cost of living' is a range, not a point. Budget reflects shared or smaller housing and cooking mostly at home; comfortable assumes a 1BR and eating out regularly; premium is central, newer or larger housing with more social spending. Most first-year expats land between budget and comfortable.

Where does the data come from?

It is our own review process: rental listings, client budgets we actually advise on, and current price checks, reconciled in review batches. The methodology is on the /about/ page and the review date is printed on every page that carries figures.

Which tier should I start from?

The comfortable tier — it is what we use in the rankings, and it is the honest 'don't run out of money' number. Drop to budget when you are deliberately optimising, not when the numbers make you uncomfortable.