SingaporevsVietnam
Live 2026 data · Tuition, rent, visa, salaries, PR pathways & more
Singapore
64
GoScore
Budget/mo
$1,343
Salary/mo
$3,730
Vietnam
46
GoScore
Budget/mo
$420
Salary/mo
$520
AI insights unavailable
Study Abroad GoScore Ranking
GoScore 0-100 · Weights: affordability, PR pathway, safety, career & quality of life
Key Comparison Metrics
Public university tuition / year
Monthly student budget
Part-time wage / hour
Student visa fee
Post-study work visa
IELTS band required
Safety index
Quick Verdict - 2026
Singapore wins for students (GoScore 64 vs 46). A 2-year master's costs $15,080 in Vietnam - 78% less than Singapore, saving $54,452.
Singapore wins for working professionals (GoScore 66 vs 35). Professionals in Singapore retain $597/month after expenses - $754/month more than in Vietnam.
Singapore is stronger for permanent residence (GoScore 72 vs 48).
Singapore vs Vietnam: Complete Cost & Immigration Analysis 2026
Total Cost of a 2-Year Master's Degree
Total cost of attendance in Singapore - tuition ($37,300) plus living ($32,232) - is $69,532. In Vietnam: $15,080 ($5,000 tuition + $10,080 living).Vietnam is 78% cheaper, saving $54,452 over the degree.
Can Students Cover Rent With Part-Time Work?
In Singapore, 20 hrs/week at $11/hr earns $895/month - covering 55% of outside-city rent. In Vietnam, the same hours earn $224/month - covering 70% of rent.
Real Monthly Savings After Living Expenses
After rent, groceries, transport, and utilities, a professional in Singapore retains $597/month from $3,730. In Vietnam: $0/month from $520. Over 5 years the gap compounds to $45,240. Tech salaries: $5,222/mo (Singapore) vs $1,100/mo (Vietnam).
Permanent Residency Timeline
Singapore: PR pathway ~3 years. Vietnam: no clearly defined pathway. Post-study work visas: 12 months (Singapore) and 0 months (Vietnam). Student visa fee: $67 vs $25.
IELTS Score Required
Minimum IELTS band: 6.0 (Singapore) and 5.5 (Vietnam). Vietnam has a lower threshold - beneficial for applicants close to their target band. Take a free IELTS mock test on mockDe to benchmark your exact skill-level gaps before applying.
| Metric | 🇸🇬 Singapore | 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Study GoScore | 64 | 46 |
| Work GoScore | 66 | 35 |
| Settle GoScore | 72 | 48 |
| Public university tuition / yr | $18,650 | $2,500 |
| Monthly student budget | $1,343 | $420 |
| Avg net salary / month | $3,730 | $520 |
| Rent 1-bed (city centre) | $2,611/mo | $520/mo |
| Post-study work visa | 12 months | 0 months |
| PR pathway | 3 years | 0 years |
| Safety index | 84 / 100 | 61 / 100 |
Fascinating Facts: Singapore & Vietnam
Understanding a country beyond spreadsheets - unique facts about each destination that shape the experience of living and working there.
🇸🇬 Singapore
- 1.
Singapore has 4 universities in the global top 25 (QS 2025), including NUS at #8 - the highest concentration of elite universities per capita in the world.
Source: QS 2025
- 2.
Changi Airport won 'World's Best Airport' for the 12th time in 2024 - a key advantage for professionals who travel regionally.
Source: Skytrax 2024
- 3.
Singapore's Employment Pass requires a minimum monthly salary of SGD $5,000 ($3,700) - reflecting its position as the highest-wage economy in Southeast Asia.
Source: MOM Singapore 2024
- 4.
Singapore has zero capital gains tax, zero inheritance tax, and a flat personal income tax rate that peaks at 24% - making it one of the world's most tax-efficient countries for high earners.
Source: IRAS Singapore 2024
- 5.
The city-state's Indian community of over 360,000 makes it Southeast Asia's most culturally familiar destination for Indian professionals.
Source: Singapore Census 2020
🇻🇳 Vietnam
- 1.
Vietnam's economy grew at 7.1% in 2023 - the fastest in Southeast Asia - driven by electronics manufacturing (Samsung, Intel, LG all produce here).
Source: World Bank 2024
- 2.
Ho Chi Minh City ranks in Asia's top 10 startup ecosystems, with particular strength in fintech and e-commerce.
Source: Startup Genome 2024
- 3.
Vietnam produced 1.2 million university graduates per year in STEM fields as of 2023 - the fastest-growing STEM talent pipeline in Southeast Asia.
Source: MOET Vietnam 2023
- 4.
Vietnam's coast stretches 3,260 km - making tourism, hospitality management, and marine engineering uniquely important industries.
Popular Comparisons
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Data Sources
Editorial
Compiled by mockDe Editorial Team
Verified by IELTS-certified advisors with study-abroad counselling experience.
Freshness
Data reflects 2026 benchmarks.
Last reviewed June 2026.
AI verdict cached permanently; regenerated on data change.
All figures in USD. AI insights by Gemini Pro. Values are indicative - verify official sources before making relocation decisions.