Singapore vs Sydney for Software Engineers (2026)
The HackerX talent pool has 1,230 developers in Singapore and 1,163 developers in Sydney. Compare developer supply, in-demand stacks, estimated salary bands, cost of living and upcoming HackerX hiring events below.
Singapore
| Junior (0–2 yrs) | S$60K – S$85K |
| Mid-level (2–5 yrs) | S$85K – S$120K |
| Senior (5–8 yrs) | S$120K – S$170K |
| Staff+ (8+ yrs) | S$160K – S$220K |
Salary figures are 2026 market estimates, not HackerX data. See the Singapore salary guide.
Sydney
| Junior (0–2 yrs) | A$80K – A$105K |
| Mid-level (2–5 yrs) | A$105K – A$140K |
| Senior (5–8 yrs) | A$135K – A$180K |
| Staff+ (8+ yrs) | A$170K – A$220K |
Salary figures are 2026 market estimates, not HackerX data. See the Sydney salary guide.
Cost of living & pay, side by side
Cost of living in Singapore is roughly 2% higher than in Sydney (estimated cost-of-living index Singapore 82 vs Sydney 80, where New York = 100). These are estimates for guidance only.
Singapore: Singapore is Southeast Asia's highest-paying tech hub. Combined with low income tax, net pay for senior engineers approaches European levels.
Sydney: Sydney is Australia's highest-paying tech market, roughly 5–10% above Melbourne, with fintech and two global product companies (Atlassian, Canva) driving the top of the market.
Ready to make a move?
Developers: create a free HackerX profile and get invited to hiring events. Employers: meet vetted engineers in these cities.