Cost of Living in Singapore: Rent, Housing & Income

Singapore is a city-state, so there is no cheaper countryside to retreat to. The whole island functions as one housing market, connected by a dense metro. That shapes how the numbers below behave: the gap between the centre and the outskirts is real, but it is smaller than the gap between Singapore and almost anywhere else on this list.

The figures are crowd-sourced estimates from Numbeo and Livingcost, shown in US dollars after conversion from Singapore dollars. The exchange rate moves, and so do the estimates.

The World Bank's price level ratio for Singapore was 60.5 in 2025, with the U.S. at 100. At market exchange rates, the same basket of goods and services cost about 60% of its U.S. price.

GDP per capita, adjusted for purchasing power, was 163,354 international dollars in 2025 (U.S.: 90,027 international dollars in 2025). Consumer prices rose 0.9% in 2025 (U.S.: 2.9% in 2024).

A one bedroom apartment in the city centre is listed at $1,952.37 – $4,685.70/mo, with a typical value of $2,971/mo. Outside the centre the range is $1,561.90 – $2,733.32/mo.

Larger homes make the difference clearer. In the centre, a three bedroom home is listed at $3,904.75 – $7,809.49/mo, against $2,967.61 – $5,466.64/mo outside it. Singapore has both public and private housing, and foreigners' access to each is governed by specific rules. Use the country's official housing agencies for those rules rather than listing sites, which often skip the details.

Renting a room

A room in a shared apartment is a common route for newcomers and costs a fraction of a full unit. Ask whether utilities, internet and air conditioning are metered separately, since air conditioning can change a monthly bill noticeably.

Livingcost puts the monthly total including rent at $3,098/mo. Excluding rent it is $999/mo. The gap between those two rows shows how heavily housing weighs on the budget.

Both rows come from one source, so they should be read together rather than as two independent estimates.

A monthly public transport pass shows $95.28/mo, with the upper end of the range at $156.19/mo. The metro and bus network is extensive enough that many residents do not own a car, and owning one adds large costs that this page does not cover.

Utilities for an 85 square meter apartment are listed at $110.63 – $252.88/mo. Internet is listed at $26.67/mo.

Hawker centres, the open-air food courts found across the city, likely explain why an inexpensive meal can be listed as low as $5.47 each, while the upper end of $23.43 each reflects sit-down restaurants. The typical value is $11.71 each. A liter of milk shows $2.99 each and a dozen large eggs show $3.63 each, and imported groceries sit toward the upper end.

Rent makes it so. The non-rent estimate looks moderate for a major financial hub, but the housing ranges above are steep. Anyone considering a move should start by pricing rent for the neighborhood near their workplace and then add the other lines.

Most Singapore residents live in public housing flats, and many foreigners rent in private condominiums, which often include a pool and gym in the rent. The listing figures above mix these categories, so the ranges are wide. A condominium near the central business district sits at the top. An older apartment or a room in a flat farther from the centre sits lower.

When you compare listings, check the lease length, how large the security deposit is, and what the agent's fee covers. Contracts commonly run for a year or two. Because rules for foreigners renting public housing differ from private rentals, confirm eligibility with the official housing authority before paying a deposit.

Climate also shapes bills. Air conditioning is used heavily in a hot, humid country, and the utility range of $110.63 – $252.88/mo reflects that. Units with newer, more efficient air conditioners cost less to run, so it is worth asking to see a recent bill.

• Work pass, visa and permit fees
• Health insurance
• Car ownership, which carries separate costs
• Tuition at international schools
• Flights home

Immigration rules for employment and residence change, and they depend on your profile. Read the official government pages and speak to a licensed advisor.