Cost of Living Around the World
Cost of living is only useful when the assumptions are visible. In Numbeo’s 2026 Southeast Asia comparison, cost-plus-rent indices range from 81.2 in Singapore to 35.3 in Bali, 31.6 in Bangkok and 26.9 in Kuala Lumpur.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The answer before the detail
Cost of living is only useful when the assumptions are visible. In Numbeo’s 2026 Southeast Asia comparison, cost-plus-rent indices range from 81.2 in Singapore to 35.3 in Bali, 31.6 in Bangkok and 26.9 in Kuala Lumpur.
WHERE YOU LIVE
Housing
Rent and housing indicators, with location assumptions kept visible.
Peer comparison: WTW does not yet have enough like-for-like verified observations for this metric. The indicator is therefore a WTW reference score, not a claim that this destination ranks above or below other countries.
Housing snapshot: Housing: 81.2 index, Housing: 35.3 index, and Housing: 31.6 index.
METHODOLOGY & ASSUMPTIONS
A current Southeast Asia snapshot Numbeo’s 2026 regional table puts the cost-plus-rent index at 81.2 for Singapore, 35.3 for Bali, 31.6 for Bangkok and 26.9 for Kuala Lumpur. These are comparative indices rather than personal budgets, but they immediately show the scale of the gap between major regional destinations.
HOW TO USE THIS RESEARCH
How WTW uses cost data For destination articles, we prioritise actual monthly rent, food, transport and utilities where available, then use indices to provide broader context. Crowdsourced market data is labelled as such and is not treated as an official government statistic.
HOW TO USE THIS RESEARCH
What matters most Housing is usually the largest swing factor. A serious comparison should therefore state whether the rent assumption is city centre or outside centre, short-term or long-term, and what type of household the budget represents.
WTW RESEARCH STANDARD
Evidence first, claims dated.
This article and its destination pages use the same structured research record. Cost, property, visa, tax and investment-related information can change and should be rechecked against current official or qualified local guidance before a decision.
Read the methodology