The cost of living varies widely across Southeast Asia. Differences in everyday expenses, dining, transportation, and housing can make living in one city considerably more expensive than another.
To compare these differences, this list uses Numbeo’s 2026 Mid-Year Cost of Living Index. The index compares the prices of consumer goods and services across cities against New York City, which is assigned a score of 100.
It covers expenses such as groceries, restaurants, transportation, and other consumer goods, but excludes housing rent, which is measured separately through the Rent Index. Based on their scores, these are the five most expensive capitals to live in Southeast Asia.
1. Singapore
Singapore records a score of 87.7, putting it well ahead of every other city on the list. Its Rent Index is also the highest at 73.1, while its Groceries Index stands at 77.3 and Restaurant Price Index at 55.5.
The city’s high cost of living comes alongside relatively high purchasing power. Singapore records a Local Purchasing Power Index of 105.5, which measures residents’ ability to purchase goods and services based on average net salaries, relative to New York.
2. Bangkok
Bangkok ranks second with a score of 41.4, making it the only city besides Singapore in the top five to score above 40.
The city records a Rent Index of 19.6 and a Groceries Index of 45.2, both the highest among the four non-Singaporean cities in the ranking. Its Restaurant Price Index stands at 29.2, while its Local Purchasing Power Index is 50.9.
3. Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh scores 37.9, just 0.5 points ahead of Kuala Lumpur. The two cities also have nearly identical scores for groceries and rent.
Phnom Penh has a Rent Index of 13.7 and a Groceries Index of 44.6. Its Restaurant Price Index reaches 31.1, the highest among the four cities outside Singapore. Its Local Purchasing Power Index, however, is only 25.1, the lowest among all five cities.
4. Kuala Lumpur
With a score of 37.4, Kuala Lumpur follows closely behind Phnom Penh. Its Rent Index stands at 13.8, while its Groceries Index reaches 44.7 and its Restaurant Price Index is 29.6.
The biggest difference appears in purchasing power. Kuala Lumpur records a Local Purchasing Power Index of 103.6, far above Phnom Penh’s 25.1.
The two cities can switch positions depending on the period covered. In Numbeo’s Current index accessed in September 2026, Kuala Lumpur scores 38.4, while Phnom Penh remains at 37.9.
5. Manila
Manila completes the top five with a score of 35.4. It records the lowest Groceries Index (40.9) and Restaurant Price Index (26.8) among the five cities.
Its Rent Index stands at 16.8, higher than Phnom Penh and Kuala Lumpur but lower than Bangkok. Manila’s Local Purchasing Power Index is 35.3, higher than Phnom Penh but below Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
The scores fall considerably below the top five. Jakarta records 29.8, followed by Hanoi at 28.4 and Ho Chi Minh City at 28.2.
