Hi Guo Qiao,

You asked an interesting question “Look at the numbers on price tags in US. Higher or lower than Singapore, ignoring currency?”

Transport — is a simple comparison. i don’t drive. New York Public transport “price figures” are lower — $76/month covering subway and buses. If I drive, fuel is cheaper, after currency conversion.

Telecom — friends use low-cost VOIP phones at home but I’m not sure. Mobile airtime is higher.

Broadband — can be lower — as low as $15/month for DSL.

Rental — is the biggest component (perhaps 10-30%) of total monthly expenses. My wife and I choose low-end, but safe, convenient locations. The “price number” is very routhly the same to SG, $700 -> $875 -> $700 -> $550 for a couple.

Medical — comparison is complicated by medical insurance and the huge variety of treatment options. I feel overall “price numbers” are higher. However, pregnancy/maternity can be cheaper — one-time cost of $10 from conception to delivery, everything else covered by insurance.

gadgets — Electronics and computer gadgets have lower price-tag numbers.

Brands — Famous fashion brands are cheaper, even after converting to SGD.

For clothing, food, stationeries, household items, I buy low-end but usable, clean stuff, often in $1 shops.

– Fruits and vegetables can, in special places, be cheaper, even after converting to SGD.
– pizzas, burgers, bread, juices, dairy, frozen food are cheaper, even converting to SGD.
– eating out — higher, because Singapore has such a hyper-competitve market of hawker centers, coffee shops and food courts.
– fast food — lower
– chinese food — higher

Computer books — lower

Haircut — higher, but can be $8 in New York Chinatown.