How to choose living in Shanghai, HongKong and Singapore in Asia?
Sep 28
10 min read
Updated: Oct 13
I have visited HongKong and Singapore several times after COVID. Recently my clients and friends who based in HongKong and Singapore are considering moving back to Shanghai again. They often asked me How is Shanghai now? How is the life after COVID? So I feel the meaningful to write a blog regarding the compansion between those 3 cities.
Why people usually choose between those 3 cities in Asia ?
All three cities offer international communities, strong transit, excellent food, and more safer living enviroment . However, the situation with family and without family are different.
For most people, Shanghai is the most affordable of the three, especially for housing, eating out, local transport, and daily services. Hong Kong is usually the most expensive, mainly because apartments are small and rents are very high. Singapore sits between them, although it can become the costliest option fast if you want a large apartment in a prime location and have children in international school.
The numbers below are broad, practical estimates in U.S. dollars. Actual costs shift with exchange rates, neighborhood, lease terms, family size, school choices, and lifestyle.
The quick answer is that Shanghai is usually cheapest if you are single
If you want the short version, the cost ranking usually looks like this:
City | Typical affordability | Main reason |
Shanghai | Most affordable | Lower rent, cheaper food, lower daily service costs |
Singapore | Middle | Expensive housing, but food and transit can stay reasonable |
Hong Kong | Most expensive | Very high rent for limited space |
A comfortable single-person lifestyle in Shanghai can often cost far less than a similar lifestyle in Hong Kong or Singapore. Rent is the key reason, but it is not the only one. Restaurant meals, local groceries, taxis, haircuts, gym options, and household help tend to cost less in Shanghai.
By contrast, Hong Kong compresses a lot of cost into housing. You may pay premium rent for a much smaller apartment than you would get in Shanghai. Singapore also has high rents, but many day-to-day costs can be controlled if you use public transit, eat at hawker centers, and live outside the most central areas.
A useful monthly budget range for a single person, excluding major luxuries, might look like this:
Monthly cost category | Shanghai | Hong Kong | Singapore |
Moderate single-person lifestyle | $1,800 to $3,200 | $3,200 to $5,800 | $3,000 to $5,500 |
Rent for a one-bedroom apartment | $1,000 to $2,000 | $1,800 to $4,000+ | $1,800 to $4,500+ |
Local transport | Very Low | Low to moderate | Low to moderate |
Eating out casually | Low to moderate | Moderate to high | Low to moderate |
These are not luxury budgets. They assume a private apartment, regular eating out, public transit or taxis as needed, and a reasonable social life. They do not assume a car, private clubs, high-end dining every week, or international school fees.
Housing is the biggest cost difference
Housing decides the winner for most people. It also creates the biggest surprises.
Shanghai gives you more space for the money
Shanghai is expensive by mainland China standards, especially in prime locations such as Xuhui( FFC), Jing’an, Huangpu(Xintiandi), Lujiazui and villas near International schools. Still, it tends to offer better value than Hong Kong and Singapore.
A single professional can often find a decent apartment by choosing a neighborhood slightly outside the most central areas. Families can also get more space for the same budget, especially if they look beyond the core expat compounds.
The trade-off is quality and consistency. Buildings vary a lot. A modern serviced apartment or renovated lane house may cost much more than a local unit. Floor Heating, insulation, elevators, kitchen quality, and management standards can differ from building to building.
For many renters, Shanghai offers the best balance of space, price, and convenience.
Hong Kong rent is high because space is scarce
Hong Kong’s housing market is famous for one thing: small apartments at high prices.
Single person living in Central, Mid-Levels, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Kennedy Town, and prime parts of Kowloon can be expensive. A one-bedroom apartment may be compact, and family-sized flats can climb quickly in price. Moving farther out to places like the New Territories can reduce costs, but commute times may increase. Luxury properties in Repulse Bay, The Peak, Deep Water Bay, Stanley, Kowloon Tong in a large house can be very expensive.
Hong Kong can still be efficient. Public transit is excellent, and daily life is compact. You may not need much living space if you spend a lot of time outside the home. Still, if comfort means a larger kitchen, a separate work area, outdoor space, or bedrooms for children, Hong Kong becomes costly fast.
Singapore is expensive but more predictable
Singapore rents are high, especially in central areas such as Orchard, River Valley, Marina Bay, Tanjong Pagar, and Holland Village. Private condos with pools, gyms, and security come at a premium.
That said, Singapore often feels more predictable. Newer buildings may offer consistent maintenance, efficient layouts, and good facilities. Neighborhoods outside the core, such as Tampines, Bishan, Queenstown, Clementi, or Punggol, can offer better value while still keeping daily life convenient.
For foreigners, access to certain housing types may be limited compared with citizens and permanent residents. That can push many expats toward private rentals, which raises the monthly budget.
Food and groceries are cheapest in Shanghai if you shop locally
Food costs can feel very different depending on habits.
Shanghai is the easiest city of the three for keeping food costs low without feeling deprived. Local restaurants, noodle shops, dumpling places, bakeries, fruit vendors, and neighborhood markets can be very affordable. If you eat mostly local food, the monthly food bill can stay controlled.
Imported goods tell a different story. Western cheese, wine, specialty health foods, imported snacks, and foreign-brand household products may cost much more than expected. The more your basket looks like a U.S. or European grocery run, the less affordable Shanghai feels.
Hong Kong has a wide range of food prices. Local cha chaan teng meals, noodle shops, bakeries, and takeaway food can be reasonable. Supermarkets and imported groceries can be expensive, especially on Hong Kong Island. Wet markets help lower costs for fresh produce, meat, and seafood, but not everyone finds them convenient.
Singapore may surprise people here. Restaurant dining in malls and international areas can be expensive, but hawker centers and food courts keep everyday meals affordable. A person who eats local dishes often can manage food costs well. Groceries are usually not cheap, especially imported items, alcohol, dairy, and specialty products.
Here is the practical food ranking for most everyday spending:
Shanghai
Lowest overall if you eat local food and shop at markets.
Singapore
Reasonable if you use hawker centers and avoid expensive imported groceries.
Hong Kong
Affordable local meals exist, but groceries and small-apartment convenience shopping can raise costs.
Transport is good in all three cities but cars change everything
One reason these cities work so well is that you do not need a car.
Shanghai has an extensive metro system, cheap ride-hailing by international big-city standards, plentiful e-bikes, and good rail links. Daily commuting can be very affordable. Taxis and ride-hailing cost more than the metro, but they are still often cheaper than comparable trips in Hong Kong or Singapore.
Hong Kong’s MTR is one of the best urban transit systems in the world. It is fast, dense, clean, and well connected. Buses, minibuses, trams, ferries, and taxis fill in the gaps. Transport costs are not the reason Hong Kong is expensive. Rent is.
Singapore also has excellent public transit. The MRT and bus system are clean, safe, and reliable. Taxis and ride-hailing can add up, but they are not usually the budget breaker.
The major exception is car ownership. In Singapore, owning a car is famously expensive because of taxes, certificates, registration fees, fuel, insurance, parking, and road charges. Hong Kong parking and car costs are also high. Shanghai car ownership brings licensing, parking, traffic, and regulatory issues.
For most people, the best cost-saving move is simple: choose a home near a useful transit line. A cheaper apartment with a poor commute can cost more in time, stress, and ride-hailing than a slightly pricier place near the metro.
Health care, education, and lifestyle can change the ranking
A simple rent-and-food comparison does not tell the whole story. The real monthly budget depends on the expensive categories that may or may not apply.
Health care and insurance
Singapore and Hong Kong both have strong health systems, but private care can be costly. Many expats rely on employer insurance. Without it, premiums and out-of-pocket costs need close attention.
Shanghai has public hospitals, private clinics, and international hospitals. Local care can be cheaper, while international clinics can feel closer to Hong Kong or Singapore prices. Language, insurance acceptance, and comfort level matter.
If an employer covers health insurance, the difference between cities shrinks. If you pay yourself, get quotes before moving.
Schools and children
For families, education can dominate the budget.
International schools in all three cities can be expensive. Tuition, application fees, uniforms, buses, activities, lunches, and trips add up. In some cases, school costs can exceed rent.
Shanghai may still be cheaper overall for family life, but not always if children attend high-cost international schools and the family chooses a central compound. Hong Kong and Singapore both have many school options, but demand can be high and fees can be steep.
A family comparing cities should build two budgets:
One budget with school covered by an employer
One budget with school paid out of pocket
Those two numbers can lead to very different decisions.
Here is the reference of Top 10 Shanghai international school's tuition fee from Kindergarten to Year 13.
School Name | Tuition Fee |
Shanghai American School 上海美国学校 | 246,000-311,000 RMB |
Shanghai Dulwich College 上海德威 | 282,000-411,750 RMB |
Wellington College 惠灵顿 | 301,200-402,700 RMB |
Concordia 协和 | 250,000- 330,000 RMB |
Shanghai British International School ( BISS) 上海英国学校 | 278,390- 388,970 RMB |
Shanghai Changning International Community School (SCIS) 长宁国际 | 200,600-335,500 RMB |
Yew Cheong International School (YCIS) 耀中 | 166,900- 366,300 RMB |
Britannica 不列颠 | 310,400- 356,700 RMB |
Western International School ( WISS) 西华 | 247,000- 263,150 RMB |
Harrows 哈罗 | 275,200- 399,000 RMB |
Shanghai French German School 上海德法 | 125,000-208,600 RMB |
Here is the reference of Top 10 Hong Kong international school's tuition fee from Kindergarten to Year 13.
School Name | Tuition Fee |
Harrows 哈罗 | 239,000 HKD |
Hong Kong International School 香港国际 | 220,000-260,000 HKD |
Canadian International School 加拿大国际 | 261,000 HKD |
English Schools Foundation 英基 | 145,000- 188,000 HKD |
German Swiss International School 德瑞 | 256,700 HKD |
Chinese International School 汉基 | 342,800 HKD |
UWC South East Asia 李宝椿 | 428,000 HKD |
The Independent Schools Foundation Academy弘立书院 | 303,000 HKD |
Keelee International School 启历 | 267,100 HKD |
Yew Cheong International School (YCIS) | 272,140 HKD |
Victoria Shanghai Academy 沪江维多利亚 | 192,000 -270,000 HKD |
Here is the reference of Top 10 Singapore international school's tuition fee from Kindergarten to Year 13.
School Name | Tuition Fee |
UWCSEA 东南亚世界联合书院 | 37,000-53,200 SGD |
Singapore American School 新加坡美国学校 | 40,000- 53,000 SGD |
Dulwich College 德威新加坡 | 36,000- 56,200 SGD |
TangLin Trust School 东陵信托学校 | 34,800-55,700 SGD |
North London 北伦敦 | 37,563- 55,733 SGD |
Brighton College 布莱顿学院 | 17,178- 52,128 SGD |
The Perse 佩斯学校 | 25,000- 30,000 SGD |
Stamford American 斯坦福国际 | 34,500- 54,200 SGD |
NEXUS 莱仕国际 | 29,900- 49,000 SGD |
Australian International 澳洲国际 | 30,000-51,600 SGD |
Canadian International 加拿大国际 | 31,500- 51,500 SGD |
Social life and entertainment
Shanghai offers strong value for casual entertainment. Coffee, local bars, cinemas, gyms, massages, parks, and restaurants can fit many budgets. Premium nightlife and luxury hotels still cost plenty, but average social spending can stay manageable.
Hong Kong social life often gets expensive because space is scarce. Restaurants, bars, gyms, and private clubs can cost more, especially in central areas. Outdoor options, hiking, beaches, and ferries can help balance that.
Singapore has plenty of free or low-cost public spaces, from parks to waterfront walks. Alcohol is expensive, and high-end dining can be very costly. A modest social life is manageable. A nightlife-heavy lifestyle is not.
Tax Rates are in lower in Hong Kong
Tax Category | Shanhai | Hong Kong | Singapore |
Personal income tax | 3%-45% | 2%-17% | 0%-24% |
Corporate income tax | Generally 25% | 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of eligible profits; 16.5% thereafter | 17% standard rate |
VAT/GST | Generally 6%,9% or 13%, depending on the transaction | No general VAT or GST | 9% GST |
What a realistic monthly budget looks like
A practical comparison needs lifestyle levels, not just city names.
Lifestyle type | Shanghai | Hong Kong | Singapore |
Budget-conscious single person | Lower cost, especially outside the center | Hardest of the three due to rent | Possible with shared housing and hawker meals |
Comfortable single professional | Best value overall | Expensive but efficient | Expensive housing, manageable daily costs |
Couple without children | Strong value if both use transit | High rent for small space | High rent, good quality of life |
Family with children | Can be cheaper, school costs matter | Very expensive if space matters | Very expensive with private rent and school |
Luxury lifestyle | Can still be costly | Very costly | Very costly |
For a single person, Shanghai often wins clearly. A couple may also find Shanghai much better value, especially if they rent outside the highest-demand districts. For families, the answer depends on school fees, apartment size, and whether an employer provides housing or tuition support.
Hong Kong becomes more affordable if you accept a smaller apartment, live farther from Central, eat local food, and avoid owning a car. Singapore becomes more affordable if you skip the car, live outside the central core, and make regular use of hawker centers and public transit.
Shanghai becomes less affordable when you recreate a fully imported lifestyle: international groceries, imported alcohol, private medical care, international school, serviced apartment, and frequent luxury dining.
Which city is most affordable for different lifestyles?
The winner depends on how you live, but the pattern is clear.
For the lowest overall cost, choose Shanghai. It offers the best value for rent, food, transport, and daily services. It is the easiest city of the three for living well without spending at Hong Kong or Singapore levels.
For working in finance industry or the business between China and international , Hong Kong still has appeal. It is expensive, but it is compact and highly connected. If your employer pays for housing, Hong Kong’s high cost becomes easier to justify.
For predictability and public services, Singapore is strong. It is clean, orderly, and easy to navigate. Costs are high, but they are often easier to plan for than in cities where quality varies more sharply by building or neighborhood.
If affordability is the main question, the ranking is:
Shanghai
Singapore
Hong Kong
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