Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Malaysia and Singapore, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Malaysia and Singapore, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
25 of the 29 items cost less in Malaysia.
Bottled, convenience store
Malaysia: ≈ $0.37 – $0.73 RM 1.50–3.00 Singapore: ≈ $0.78 – $1.40 S$1.00 – S$1.80 Cafe or street vendor
Malaysia: ≈ $1.20 – $2.90 RM 5–12 Singapore: ≈ $1.10 – $2.30 S$1.40 – S$3.00 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Malaysia: ≈ $3.70 – $6.10 RM 15–25 Singapore: ≈ $6.30 – $9.40 S$8 – S$12 Tourist area, main course
Malaysia: ≈ $3.70 – $9.80 RM 15–40 Singapore: ≈ $12 – $23 S$15 – S$30 Local market or stand
Malaysia: ≈ $1.20 – $3.70 RM 5–15 Singapore: ≈ $3.10 – $6.30 S$4 – S$8 Mixed drink, bar
Malaysia: ≈ $6 – $16 RM 25–65 Singapore: ≈ $13 – $19 S$16 – S$24 House wine, restaurant
Malaysia: ≈ $29 – $44 RM 120–180 Singapore: ≈ $27 – $47 S$35 – S$60 Cafe or street stall
Malaysia: ≈ $0.98 – $2.90 RM 4–12 Singapore: ≈ $2 – $3.90 S$2.50 – S$5.00 Standard route
Malaysia: ≈ $16 – $27 RM 65–110 Singapore: ≈ $16 – $31 S$20 – S$40 Metered or typical fare
Malaysia: ≈ $0.73 – $1.50 RM 3–6 Singapore: ≈ $0.55 – $0.86 S$0.70 – S$1.10 Single ride
Malaysia: ≈ $0.29 – $1.30 RM 1.20–5.20 Singapore: ≈ $1 – $2 S$1.28 – S$2.57 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Malaysia: ≈ $2.40 – $6.10 RM 10–25 Singapore: ≈ $39 – $63 S$50 – S$80 Tourist shop
Malaysia: ≈ $0.49 – $2.40 RM 2–10 Singapore: ≈ $1.60 – $3.10 S$2 – S$4 Tourist shop
Malaysia: ≈ $3.70 – $8.60 RM 15–35 Singapore: ≈ $6 – $12 S$8 – S$15 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Malaysia: ≈ $7 – $24 RM 30–100 Singapore: ≈ $12 – $35 S$15 – S$45 Data package
Malaysia: ≈ $3 – $12 RM 12–49 Singapore: ≈ $9 – $23 S$12 – S$30 Pharmacy or shop
Malaysia: ≈ $3.70 – $8.60 RM 15–35 Singapore: ≈ $9 – $16 S$12 – S$20 Supermarket
Malaysia: ≈ $0.34 – $0.86 RM 1.40–3.50 Singapore: ≈ $0.94 – $2 S$1.20 – S$2.50 Pack of 20
Malaysia: ≈ $2.90 – $4.70 RM 12–19 Singapore: ≈ $12 – $14 S$15 – S$18 Pack of 20 tablets
Malaysia: ≈ $1.20 – $4.40 RM 5–18 Singapore: ≈ $2.30 – $4.70 S$3 – S$6 Spray or lotion
Malaysia: ≈ $2 – $4.40 RM 8–18 Singapore: ≈ $3.90 – $7.80 S$5 – S$10 Local barbershop
Malaysia: ≈ $6 – $15 RM 25–60 Singapore: ≈ $9 – $20 S$12 – S$25 Laundry service
Malaysia: ≈ $0.98 – $2.40 RM 4–10 Singapore: ≈ $2.30 – $4.70 S$3 – S$6 Standard full-body massage
Malaysia: ≈ $20 – $44 RM 80–180 Singapore: ≈ $31 – $55 S$40 – S$70 Basic cut, salon
Malaysia: ≈ $12 – $37 RM 50–150 Singapore: ≈ $14 – $35 S$18 – S$45 Entrance ticket
Malaysia: ≈ $0.49 – $6.10 RM 2–25 Singapore: ≈ $12 – $20 S$15 – S$25 Organized excursion
Malaysia: ≈ $15 – $37 RM 60–150 Singapore: ≈ $23 – $63 S$30 – S$80 Organized excursion 6-8h
Malaysia: ≈ $24 – $49 RM 100–200 Singapore: ≈ $70 – $125 S$90 – S$160 Local cuisine cooking class
Malaysia: ≈ $17 – $49 RM 70–200 Singapore: ≈ $70 – $115 S$90 – S$150 Tourist prices are about 2.7× the fair price in Malaysia, against 2.4× in Singapore.
Malaysia 29th lowest of 60
Singapore 12th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Malaysia Tipping is not expected but appreciated, most restaurants include a 10% service charge. Taxi drivers and hawker stall vendors don't expect tips; hotel staff appreciate 5-10 MYR.
Singapore Tipping is not part of the culture in Singapore. Most restaurants already add a 10% service charge plus 9% GST, shown as '++' on the menu, so your bill is about 20% higher than the listed price. Rounding up a taxi fare is appreciated but never required.
No. In Malaysia you pay about 45% less than in Singapore at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Malaysia 82, Singapore 149 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 25 of the 29 items cost less in Malaysia.
A week is cheaper in Malaysia: about $135 at fair prices, against $255 in Singapore. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $350 in Malaysia and $665 in Singapore.
In Malaysia: food and drinks cost about 34% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $3.70 – $9.80 in Malaysia and $12 – $23 in Singapore, street food $1.20 – $3.70 and $3.10 – $6.30.
In Malaysia: tourist prices there are about 2.7× the fair price on average, against 2.4× in Singapore. The biggest gaps in Malaysia: city taxi 1 km (5.6×), top museum / attraction (5.2×), and laundry (4.3×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Malaysia vs Singapore, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/malaysia-vs-singapore/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at [email protected] and I will check it.
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