Singapore among top tech cities for liveability in new ‘Matcha Index’ by Savills
Singapore emerged seventh on the the inaugural Savills Matcha Index (Picture: Albert Chua/EdgeProp Singapore)
Singapore has emerged among the top cities for tech workers in a new benchmark by real estate company Savills that assesses urban liveability through cafe culture.
The inaugural “Matcha Index” evaluates glocal tech cities through three main lenses: the availability of matcha, the quality of coffee shops, and the affordability of matcha. “These metrics reveal which cities best support the blend of work, leisure and lifestyle that defines a thriving tech hub,” says Charlotte Rushton, associate at Savills World Research.
The Matcha Index succeeds Savills’ Flat White Index, which was first unveiled in 2015. According to Rushton, the use of matcha as the new benchmark reflects a broader shift in lifestyle trends, with matcha lattes now the go-to drink for young professionals.
To tabulate the index, Savills scored the cities for availability based on the number of coffee shops in the city and the proportion that serve matcha, while the quality of coffee shops was assessed based on the number of third-wave coffee shops present and their average rating. In terms of affordability, cities were compared based on the average cost of a matcha latte.
Based on the three metrics, Tokyo emerged as the top-ranking city in the Matcha Index. “With matcha lattes costing an average of US$4.66 ($5.96), the city offers value and vibrancy, blending traditional tea culture with a modern tech lifestyle,” observes Rushton. In comparison, other cities studied by Savills had average matcha latte prices ranging from just $3.61 in Beijing to US$6.21 in New York.
Savills Matcha Index: Top 12
Source: Savills Research. Availability of matcha: number of coffee shops and share that serve matcha; Quality of coffee shops: Number of third wave coffee shops and average rating; Affordability of matcha: average cost of a matcha latte in USD.
London ranked second in the index, with Savills highlighting that while the UK city matches Tokyo in terms of cafe quality and availability, it falls short on affordability, with a matcha latte averaging at US$5.54 per cup. Seoul ranked third, followed by Toronto, San Fransciso and Amsterdam.
Singapore emerged seventh in the index, making it the only other Asian city in the top 12 and the only Southeast Asian entrant. Matcha latte prices average US$5.43 in Singapore, placing it at the higher end of the spectrum.
Cost of a matcha latte in the top 12 cities on the Savills Matcha Index
Source: Savills Research
Still, Savills argues that Singapore remains supported by strong cafe availability, quality and connectivity. “Besides the strong presence of established and new coffee chains, our café culture has evolved to embrace anything Matcha, which you can find in lattes, gelato, cakes, and even bubble tea,” adds Sulian Tan-Wijaya, executive director of retail and lifestyle at Savills Singapore.
Overall, the Matcha Index reveals a clear pattern of thriving tech cities being able to successfully blend lifestyle and innovation, says Rushton. “While the Index may appear playful, it underscores a serious truth: vibrant café cultures, whether centred on espresso or matcha, are vital to urban liveability and connectivity.”
Follow Us
Property updates, 24/7.
Subscribe to Newsletter
Market insights, delivered weekly.
Top Articles
Search