How Much Does It Cost to Live In Singapore?
Singapore is a city-state located in Southeast Asia.
It was once a British colony, but since it gained independence it has become one of the world’s most prosperous, tax-friendly countries.
It is also one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
Singapore is expensive by Asian standards but somewhat affordable in comparison with some industrialized countries.
Talking about the cost of living will be difficult as there are many differences between the income in different professions.
Still, as usual, how much money you spend depends on your situation, lifestyle, and preferences.
Singapore : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
When it comes to eating out while on a budget, the cheapest and most popular places to eat in Singapore are hawker centers, essentially former pushcart vendors.
There are also international fast food chains like McDonald’s, Carl’s Jr., Burger King, KFC, MOS Burger, Dairy Queen, Orange Julius, Subway, etc. which are common in various shopping malls.
Prices range from $2 for a basic burger and $7 upwards for a set meal.
Singapore also offers a variety of full-service restaurants as well where you can eat for around 35$.
MARKETS
Food and ingredients are mostly cheap in Singapore.
Local supermarkets Cold Storage, Prime Mart, Shop ‘n’ Save and NTUC Fairprice is the norm, but if you’re in the mood for specialties, Jason’s Marketplace and Tanglin Market Place are Singapore’s best-stocked supermarkets, with a huge assortment of imported products.
For a more local (and much cheaper) shopping experience, look for any neighborhood wet market, like Little India’s Tekka Market.
TRANSPORTATION
The public transportation system is extremely easy to use: it is always on time and extremely well-organized.
Taxis use meters and are reasonably priced and honest, but there’s a shortage of taxis in Singapore, which often means that you have to wait for hours at a time in order for one to become available.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Utilities are rather cheap in Singapore, especially in comparison with other expenses.
For an apartment that is around 85m2 large, all basic expenses, meaning electricity, heating, cooling, garbage services, and water, costs just above 150$.
Internet is mostly free everywhere around the country/city but in a private home, it costs around 36$.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Sport Singapore runs a chain of affordable sports facilities, with fantastic outdoor 50m pools, and they are really cheap with swimming pools charging around 1$ for entry and access to ClubFITT gyms for only 2.50$.
There are, however, many gyms and fitness clubs that are, on the contrary, very expensive, costing nearly 108.83 $.
CLOTHING & SHOES
There are various shopping belts in Singapore and this country/city is actually known for its numerous and endless shopping malls.
Actually, shopping is second only to eating as a national pastime in this gorgeous place.
So, if you’re in the mood, prepare yourself and venture into any of the huge malls here and go shopping, since the prices aren’t too high either: quality jeans like Levi’s cost around 73$, while simple summer dresses and shirts cost 42$.
RENT PER MONTH
Accommodation in Singapore is expensive by South-East Asian standards and renting entire apartments is even more so.
There is also the option most ex-pats opt for, in the form of private housing blocks known as condos, where an average three-bedroom apartment will cost you anything starting 3,208.17$ per month – and that’s for an older apartment.
For an apartment outside of the city center, you’ll have to pay at least 2,279.07 $.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Singapore
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $7.54 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $7.54 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.04 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $2.58 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $2.00 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.86 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $1.51 |
| Monthly Pass | $96.48 |
| Gasoline | $2.3 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $150.37 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.15 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $35.34 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $108.83 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $12.53 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $10.55 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $73.34 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $42.14 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $109.02 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $3208.17 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $2279.07 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $6385.91 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Singapore?
Rent is staggeringly expensive in Singapore, more so than anything else and disproportionately with all other prices.
That is why it’s no wonder that the biggest chunk of all monthly expenses for the people of Singapore gets spent on rent.
Food is relatively cheap here, but it’s necessary so the expense of groceries takes up around 22% of one’s monthly income.
Transportation is next: it is both expensive AND necessary, so it’s normal that it takes up 14% of one’s salary.
Clothing and shoes take up only 1.5% of one’s income.
Average Costs Breakdown
Singapore: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Singapore does not have a minimum wage policy for fear of causing businesses to go bust and raise unemployment.
Simply put, they are afraid that if the minimum wage was set too high, it would cause businesses to go broke since they wouldn’t have enough money to pay these salaries. And if they were too low, the citizens wouldn’t be allowed.
Instead, they have a progressive salary system, where the workers get increased salaries as they develop their skills and knowledge.
In most cases, the workers starting out are set to earn a higher entry-level basic wage of between 1000$ and $1200$.
Usually, the jobs that would be paid with a minimum wage are done by foreign workers.
Singapore Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Singapore Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Singapore
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Singapore | 80.4 |
