According to our Singapore cost of living data, a Volkswagen Golf costs $139,192 there. The same car in the United States? About $32,336. That's a 4.3x price difference for the exact same vehicle.
Data accurate as of January 2026.
VW Golf Prices by Country
Source: MyLifeElsewhere cost data (140+ countries)
Transportation Cost Index
Source: MyLifeElsewhere (US = 100 baseline)
| # | Country | Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 429.7 |
| 2 | Hong Kong | 201.3 |
| 3 | Norway | 158.2 |
| 4 | Iceland | 143.8 |
| 5 | Switzerland | 138.6 |
| ... | ... | ... |
| — | United States | 100.0 |
Why So Expensive?
Singapore covers just 734 square kilometers but houses 5.9 million people. World Bank data shows it has over 8,000 people per square kilometer—one of the world's highest densities. Roads already consume 12% of the land; universal car ownership would require paving over remaining green space.
The solution: a market-based cap. The Land Transport Authority releases limited Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) each month via auction—currently $80,000-$100,000 each. Add the 100-190% Additional Registration Fee, and a $30,000 car becomes $140,000. Only 12% of households own cars, versus 91% in the United States.
Compare Transportation Costs
Our country rankings show Singapore's transportation index at 429.7—the highest by far. Hong Kong ranks second at 201.3 with similar density challenges. Use our Singapore vs US comparison to see how transportation, rent, and groceries differ.
Despite car costs, the full Singapore profile shows many other categories—restaurants, groceries, utilities—are surprisingly affordable. The city uses COE revenue to fund excellent public transit, making car ownership optional for most residents.