Healthcare and Housing: Total Cost Comparison for International Workers
June 2, 20259 min read
Balancing housing and healthcare expenses can make or break your monthly budget. For international workers—especially those relocating to new cities—it’s crucial to understand how much of your salary goes toward rent and medical coverage. In this article, we compare combined housing and healthcare costs across 10 global cities to help you determine where your take-home pay stretches the furthest.
Why Healthcare + Housing Matters
Two of the largest fixed expenses for anyone living abroad are rent and healthcare premiums/out-of-pocket costs. While rent often dominates budgets in high-cost cities, medical insurance—sometimes subsidized by employers, sometimes not—can also be a significant drain. For expats, it’s not just about monthly rent; it’s also about clinic visits, specialist consultations, and prescription drug prices.
By comparing both categories side by side, you get a holistic view of the cost of living. A city with moderate rent but exorbitant healthcare may end up more expensive overall than one with higher rent but affordable, quality medical services.
What We’re Comparing
We looked at each city’s:
- Average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center
- Average private healthcare premium (individual plan) or equivalent employer contribution
- Estimated monthly out-of-pocket medical costs (based on typical usage: one primary care visit, two specialist visits, and basic prescriptions)
- Total monthly housing + healthcare cost (sum of rent + healthcare premium + out-of-pocket)
All figures are in USD and based on 2025 estimates for single adults without dependents.
City-by-City Breakdown (2025)
| City | Rent (1BR) | Healthcare Premium | Out-of-Pocket Costs | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $3,400 | $450 | $150 | $4,000 |
| London | $2,600 | $200 | $100 | $2,900 |
| Tokyo | $1,850 | $300 | $120 | $2,270 |
| Sydney | $2,100 | $250 | $130 | $2,480 |
| Berlin | $1,350 | $180 | $80 | $1,610 |
| Dubai | $2,500 | $350 | $100 | $2,950 |
| Singapore | $3,000 | $400 | $110 | $3,510 |
| Lisbon | $1,150 | $150 | $70 | $1,370 |
| Buenos Aires | $350 | $50 | $40 | $440 |
| Kuala Lumpur | $600 | $100 | $60 | $760 |
All figures are estimated monthly averages in USD, for single adults with no dependents, in 2025.
Top 3 Cities by Lowest Combined Cost
-
Buenos Aires – $440/month
- Rent: $350
- Healthcare Premium: $50
- Out-of-Pocket: $40
- Why it’s cheap: Low housing market prices, government-subsidized healthcare options reduce private plan costs, and generic drug pricing is affordable.
-
Kuala Lumpur – $760/month
- Rent: $600
- Healthcare Premium: $100
- Out-of-Pocket: $60
- Why it’s cheap: Competitive rental market for expats, high-quality but affordable private hospitals, and widespread use of employer-paid insurance.
-
Lisbon – $1,370/month
- Rent: $1,150
- Healthcare Premium: $150
- Out-of-Pocket: $70
- Why it’s attractive: Moderate rent compared to Western Europe, universal public healthcare available as a supplement to private insurance, and low prescription costs.
Most Expensive Cities for Housing + Healthcare
- New York – $4,000/month
- Rent in Manhattan or prime neighborhoods pushes costs sky-high, and private healthcare premiums/out-of-pocket remain among the highest globally, especially if employer contribution is limited.
- Singapore – $3,510/month
- Premium rents for central apartments and high-end private insurance plans. Though quality of care is world-class, the price tag is steep for expats.
- Dubai – $2,950/month
- While rent is high in desirable districts, many employers cover a portion of healthcare premiums—yet out-of-pocket expenses for expatriate plans and specialist visits can still be substantial.
Deep Dive: Rent Trends vs. Healthcare Quality
1. New York
- Rent: $3,400
- Apartments near Midtown, Chelsea, or Williamsburg can exceed $4,000/month; we used a conservative average.
- Healthcare: $600 average premium (employer typically covers ~75%); out-of-pocket for co-pays and prescriptions ~$150.
- Insight: Even with employer-subsidized plans, co-insurance, and high deductibles push total costs to nearly $4,000. Single professionals often spend 45–50% of net salary here.
2. London
- Rent: $2,600
- Central London boroughs such as Westminster or Camden.
- Healthcare: Though the UK’s NHS provides public coverage, many expats opt for private insurance at $200/month to avoid waiting times. Out-of-pocket for private GP/specialist visits ~$100.
- Insight: NHS coverage reduces out-of-pocket, but private premiums still add $200. Combined, it’s under $3,000, making London cheaper than New York or Singapore.
3. Tokyo
- Rent: $1,850
- Shibuya/Shinjuku areas drive rental costs.
- Healthcare: Public insurance covers 70% of bills; private supplemental plan averages $300. Out-of-pocket maximum for insured services ~$120.
- Insight: Japan’s Public Health Insurance is robust; most expats are required to enroll under the national system. Supplemental premiums fill coverage gaps. Combined cost ~$2,270.
4. Sydney
- Rent: $2,100
- Inner-city suburbs like Surry Hills, Potts Point.
- Healthcare: Medicare only available to citizens/permanent residents. Expats must obtain private health insurance (~$250/month) to meet visa requirements. Out-of-pocket for medium services ~$130.
- Insight: Premium rental market and mandatory private plans inflate costs to nearly $2,500. Many employers offer partial health coverage.
5. Berlin
- Rent: $1,350
- Areas like Kreuzberg or Prenzlauer Berg.
- Healthcare: Public Insurance mandatory (~14.6% of salary split between employer and employee, but capped at
$180/month). Minimal out-of-pocket ($80). - Insight: Germany’s capped public plan keeps healthcare predictable. Rent remains moderate compared to other European capitals.
6. Dubai
- Rent: $2,500
- Popular expat areas: Marina, Downtown.
- Healthcare: Employer-provided health insurance is mandatory but varies in coverage. Average employee premium contribution ~$350. Out-of-pocket for specialist visits ~$100.
- Insight: Rent is high, but health insurance is partially employer-subsidized. Be careful of limited coverage on dental, vision, and chronic conditions.
7. Singapore
- Rent: $3,000
- Districts 1–4 (Orchard, Clarke Quay).
- Healthcare: Private Medisave/Medishield plans average $400/month. Out-of-pocket costs often ~$110, due to tiered subsidies for citizens, but expats pay more.
- Insight: If your employer doesn’t fully cover premiums, costs can exceed $3,500. However, tax-free earnings can offset some burden.
8. Lisbon
- Rent: $1,150
- Alfama, Baixa regions.
- Healthcare: Public SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) covers most basic treatments; private plan at $150/month for faster access. Out-of-pocket ~$70.
- Insight: Portugal’s comparatively low rent and public option make Lisbon one of Europe's most affordable capitals for combined expenses.
9. Buenos Aires
- Rent: $350
- Palermo, Recoleta.
- Healthcare: Public healthcare is free for residents; expats often enroll in a private prepaga (~$50/month). Out-of-pocket ~$40 due to heavy government subsidies.
- Insight: Currency fluctuations can benefit remote workers paid in USD/EUR. Combined costs under $500/month are rare anywhere else.
10. Kuala Lumpur
- Rent: $600
- Bangsar, Mont Kiara.
- Healthcare: Private plans average $100/month; out-of-pocket ~$60 due to competitive private hospitals.
- Insight: Malaysia’s rising healthcare standards, combined with moderate rent, place KL in the lower-cost category for expats.
How to Use This Data
- Relocating Decision
- If you’re moving for a job or remote work, plug these numbers into our /city comparison tool. Get city-specific estimates for rent and healthcare in 2025.
- Salary Negotiation
- When discussing compensation, factor in combined housing + healthcare costs. Use /take-home-pay to see your adjusted net income after these obligations.
- Visa Application
- Many countries require proof of medical coverage. Compare total monthly costs with potential salary packages via /where-can-i-move to ensure you meet minimum financial requirements.
- Budget Forecasting
- Plan for unexpected healthcare expenses by setting aside at least 10% of your monthly income. In high-rent cities like New York or Singapore, a small percentage goes a long way.
Special Considerations
- Employer Contributions: In many markets (Dubai, Singapore, Berlin), employers cover a significant portion of healthcare premiums. Always verify the exact percentage when negotiating a contract.
- Public vs. Private Options: Cities with robust public systems (Berlin, Tokyo, Lisbon) often let expats augment coverage for speed-of-service rather than primary protection.
- Currency Volatility: In places like Buenos Aires, local inflation can change costs rapidly. Check the latest exchange rates before finalizing decisions.
- Family Plans: If you’re relocating with dependents, expect premiums to increase by 50–100% per additional person. Consider family-specific estimates in our /take-home-pay calculator.
Final Takeaway
High salaries can be deceiving if housing and healthcare swallow most of your paycheck.
Before you commit to relocation:
- Compare total monthly costs, not just individual rent or premium prices.
- Use our tools to model different scenarios: city comparisons, take-home pay, and visa eligibility.
- Aim for net advantage—your ultimate goal is to maximize disposable income, not gross salary.
A moderate salary in a low-cost city like Buenos Aires or Kuala Lumpur may offer better savings potential than a high-paying role in New York or Singapore once housing and healthcare are factored in. Choose wisely, and let your take-home pay work harder for you.