At a glance
| Factor | Singapore | Shanghai |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (primary) | USD 22,000 to 34,000 | USD 22,000 to 38,000 (RMB 160,000 to RMB 280,000) |
| Average international school fees (secondary) | USD 28,000 to 45,000 | USD 30,000 to 50,000 (RMB 220,000 to RMB 360,000) |
| Dominant curricula | IB, American and British | IB, British and American |
| Family visa | Dependant Pass tied to an Employment Pass salary threshold of SGD 6,000 per month, S Pass holders excluded | Z work visa converted into a residence permit, with S1 dependant visas for spouses and children under 18 |
| Expat share of population | about 29 percent | about 1 percent of Shanghai is foreign passport-holders, though they are concentrated in just a few districts |
| Regulator | MOE and CPE | Shanghai Municipal Education Commission |
Singapore and Shanghai are both viable family bases in 2026, but they serve different priorities. Shanghai is roughly 20 to 25 percent cheaper than Singapore when housing is included, though the gap narrows fast if your firm pays rent, according to Numbeo and Mercer, May 2026. The bigger differences sit in school markets, climate, and how the visa system treats accompanying spouses and children.
Schools landscape side by side
Singapore's international schools market is regulated by MOE and CPE, with around 40 international schools covering IB, American and British. Families typically shortlist names such as UWCSEA Dover, UWCSEA East, Tanglin Trust and Singapore American School. Singapore does not cap annual fee increases, so plan for a 4 to 7 percent uplift every year.
Shanghai's market is overseen by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, with around 30 international schools open to foreign-passport children. Dominant curricula are IB, British and American. The schools families ask us about most include Shanghai American School, Dulwich College Shanghai Puxi, Wellington College International Shanghai and Shanghai Community International School. Most schools post 3 to 5 percent annual increases. International schools are limited to foreign-passport holders by regulation.
Both cities publish independent inspection ratings, so you can validate a shortlist against an objective source before you visit. Use our compare tool to put three schools side by side, then ask each one for last year's IB Diploma or A Level results in writing.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
Annual primary tuition runs USD 22,000 to 34,000 in Singapore and USD 22,000 to 38,000 (RMB 160,000 to RMB 280,000) in Shanghai. For secondary, Singapore sits at USD 28,000 to 45,000 and Shanghai at USD 30,000 to 50,000 (RMB 220,000 to RMB 360,000). Premium names such as UWCSEA Dover, Tanglin Trust and Singapore American School publish secondary tuition between SGD 38,000 and SGD 56,000. Application, capital and transport fees add another 10 to 15 percent on top of tuition. See the all-in load including transport and capital levies in our Singapore fees guide and Shanghai fees guide. Model a five year per-child total in the cost calculator.
Curriculum availability
Both cities cover the big four global pathways of IB, British, American and a credible local route. Singapore leans toward IB, while Shanghai leans toward IB. The IB Diploma is the safest portable credential in either city. Families who may relocate again within five years usually prefer an established IB programme to keep transfer friction low. For curriculum-specific deep dives see our IB hub, British curriculum hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Singapore, international school families cluster in Bukit Timah, Holland Village, the East Coast, Dempsey and Woodlands. A three-bedroom condo in a central catchment costs sgd 8,000 to 14,000 per month, with very limited garden space but excellent public transport. In Shanghai, the catchment areas that come up most often are the former French Concession, Hongqiao, Jinqiao in Pudong and Qingpu near the school cluster. A three-bedroom villa in jinqiao or hongqiao runs rmb 35,000 to rmb 60,000 per month, with company packages frequently covering rent. Bus routes from these neighbourhoods to the major school clusters are dense in both cities, so plan around the school first and the postcode second.
Visit Singapore and Shanghai on our cities hub for full neighbourhood profiles, plus the schools each catchment feeds.
Lifestyle and climate
Singapore is hot and humid year round, around 27 to 32 degrees Celsius, with daily afternoon storms and no real seasonal break. Shanghai is four real seasons, with humid summers around 32 degrees Celsius, cool damp winters around 5 degrees Celsius and pleasant spring and autumn shoulders. English is one of four official languages and the working language in schools and offices in Singapore; Mandarin dominates daily life and most international schools build a strong Mandarin track into the curriculum in Shanghai. Safety, healthcare and air quality all differ meaningfully between the two cities, and most families weigh these alongside cost when they finalise the call.
Verdict: who picks which city
Pick Singapore when
Choose Singapore if safety, university outcomes from local IB schools and a calm family rhythm matter more than cost, and your package can carry the premium. It is the safer pick for families targeting Year 11 to 13 where IB Diploma results will shape applications.
Pick Shanghai when
Choose Shanghai if you want the highest exposure to China's economy and a Mandarin-rich environment for your children, alongside more space and lower out-of-pocket costs once housing is bundled into the package. It suits families on traditional expat assignments rather than long-term roots.
Most families run both cities through the cost calculator before they commit, and use the school finder to shortlist three concrete options at each end before booking visits.
Frequently asked questions
Which city has stronger international schools?
Singapore has a deeper Tier 1 bench with UWCSEA, Tanglin Trust and Singapore American School producing top IB Diploma results year after year. Shanghai has world-class names too, including Shanghai American School and Dulwich Puxi, but the foreign-passport restriction limits choice for mixed nationality families.
Can my child attend an international school in Shanghai with a local Chinese passport?
Generally no. Shanghai's international schools are restricted to foreign-passport holders by regulation. Mixed nationality families typically need at least one foreign passport per child or move to a private bilingual school. Singapore has no such restriction.
Where do most international school families live in Singapore and Shanghai?
In Singapore, families cluster in Bukit Timah, Holland Village, the East Coast, Dempsey and Woodlands. In Shanghai, the typical catchment areas are the former French Concession, Hongqiao, Jinqiao in Pudong and Qingpu near the school cluster. Pick the school first, then choose a postcode that sits on a reliable bus route or commute.
How long does the admissions process take in each city?
Plan for 8 to 16 weeks at well-known schools in either city. Tier 1 names in Singapore or Shanghai may have waiting lists at popular intake points like Years 1, 7 and 12, so book assessments at least one term before your move date.
