KeepMore.MoneyBETA
Sign InGet Started
← All comparisons

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States vs πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬ Singapore

Singapore EP holders keep ~$17,500 more than US earners at $150k

2026 tax data Β· Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 Β· Source: methodology

TL;DR β€” Key Takeaways

  • β†’At $150,000 salary: Singapore (EP holder) take-home β‰ˆ $127,500 vs. US (avg state) β‰ˆ $110,000.
  • β†’Singapore EP holders pay NO CPF contributions β€” only progressive income tax at 2%–24%.
  • β†’Effective Singapore income tax at SGD 200k (β‰ˆ USD 150k): approximately 15%.
  • β†’US earners pay combined federal + state tax (~24–30% effective) plus 7.65% FICA.
  • β†’Singapore taxes only Singapore-source income β€” territorial, not worldwide.

Net Pay at $150,000 Salary (2026)

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ

United States

$110,000

estimated net take-home

Top rate: 37%

πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬

Singapore

$127,500

estimated net take-home

Top rate: 24%

Annual delta at $150,000

πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬ Singapore saves $17,500/year

Over 10 years at 7% compounding: $258,650 more

Key Tax Differences

FactorπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United StatesπŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬ Singapore
Top income tax rate37%24%
Effective rate at $100k18%10%
Taxation basisWorldwideTerritorial
Special regimesForeign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE)Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR) Scheme

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ United States β€” Key Tax Facts

  • β†’US citizens and Green Card holders owe US tax on worldwide income regardless of where they live.
  • β†’Federal income tax: 10%–37% progressive brackets; standard deduction $16,150 for single filers (2026).
  • β†’FICA (Social Security + Medicare): 7.65% employee share on wages up to $184,500 (SS cap).
  • β†’State income tax: ranges from 0% (Florida, Texas, Nevada) to 13.3% (California).
  • β†’Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: up to $132,900 excluded for qualifying expats (2026).
  • β†’Self-employed pay 15.3% self-employment tax (both sides of FICA).

Full United States tax guide β†’

πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬ Singapore β€” Key Tax Facts

  • β†’Income tax: 0%–24% progressive; no tax on first SGD 20,000.
  • β†’Employment Pass (EP) holders pay NO CPF contributions β€” significant advantage for expats.
  • β†’Citizens and PRs contribute 20% employee CPF + 17% employer CPF (capped at SGD 6,300/month ordinary wages).
  • β†’Singapore taxes income sourced in Singapore; most foreign-source income is exempt.
  • β†’No capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, no wealth tax.
  • β†’Effective rate for EP holders at SGD 150k (β‰ˆ USD 112k): approximately 12%.

Full Singapore tax guide β†’

Calculate for your exact salary

Enter your income and compare United States vs Singapore (and 50+ other countries) in real time.

Compare my taxes β†’

More comparisons

Estimates assume a single filer with no dependents and no treaty benefits. Not tax advice. See methodology.