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What is the Cost of Living in Singapore in 2025?

What is the Average Cost of Living in Singapore?

In this section, we will examine the cost of living in Singapore for students, bachelors, couples, and families of four. The table below illustrates the approximate monthly expenses in Singapore: 

Area of Expense Cost
Rent S$2,000 - S$4,000 per month
Entertainment S$10 - S$100
Groceries S$800 - S$1,200
Transport S$1,000 - S$1,500 per month
Utilities S$150 - S$250 per month
Schooling of children S$1,000 - S$3,000 per month

Cost of Living in Singapore for Bachelors

The average price of living for a bachelor in Singapore typically comprises rent, utilities, groceries, entertainment, transportation, and more based on factors like location, lifestyle choices, and spending habits. The following table showcases some of the key expenses:

Area of Expense Price Range
Accommodation S$2,700- S$3,000
Groceries S$257 to S$404 per month
Transport S$100 to S$150
Utilities S$117 to S$146 per month
Entertainment and Shopping S$2,500 to S$4,000 per month
Housemaid S$75 per month
Wi-Fi S$45.90 per month
Bus Pass/Metro Pass S$128
Miscellaneous S$200 to S$400

Cost of Living in Singapore for Students

The following table highlights some of the key expenses associated with the cost of living in Singapore for students:

Area of Expense Price Range
Rent (shared apartment) S$500 to S$2,000 per month
Rent (single room PG) S$2,500 to S$4,500 per month
Food (monthly) S$500 to S$2,000 per month
Transportation (monthly) S$90 to S$120 per month
Utilities (monthly) S$100 to S$200 per month
Wi-Fi S$50 to S$300 per month
Miscellaneous S$100 to S$300
Bus Pass/Metro Pass S$55

Cost of Living in Singapore for a Family

Singapore offers diverse accommodation choices, from apartments to cottages and villas. The table below shows some of the key expenses associated with the cost of living in Singapore for families:

Area of Expense Price Range
Accommodation S$3,000 to S$6,000 per month
Groceries & Food S$800 to S$1,500 per month
Transport S$1,000 to S$2,000 per month
Utilities S$204.46
Entertainment & Shopping S$150
Education & Daycare S$6,000 to S$10,000 per year
Housemaid S$1,000 to S$3, 000
Wi-Fi S$30 to S$50
Miscellaneous S$500 to S$1,500 per month

Cost of Living in Singapore for Couples

The cost of living for couples in Singapore comprises expenditures for housing, utilities, foodstuffs, transportation, leisure activities, etc. Learn more about it from the tabular representation below:

Area of Expense Price Range
1 BHK apartment for rent S$1,800 - S$2,500 per month
2 BHK apartments for rent S$3,000 - S$4,500 per month
Electricity bill S$100 - S$150 per month
Bus pass S$100 - S$120 per person
Wi-Fi S$40 - S$60 per month
Groceries S$500 to S$1,000 per month
Meal for two S$60 - S$100 per month
Housemaid S$15 - S$20 per month
Miscellaneous S$300 to S$500 per month

Factors That Determine the Cost of Living in Singapore

The factors that affect the cost of living in Singapore include the following:

 

1.  Accommodation

For people moving into Singapore, paying the rent or purchasing a decent living space will be the biggest expense. Individuals should expect around 942 SGD – 4709 SGD per month to pay for rent and 2018 SGD – 8072 SGD per month if someone is eligible to buy a property in Singapore.

Rental Accommodations
Classification of Accommodation Approximate Cost
HBD flat (shared) or condo apartment 9450 SGD – 3,000 SGD
Studio apartment 2,018 SGD – 6,054 SGD
 
Buying a Property
Property Type Approximate Cost
Resale property 8,75,000 SGD – 40,40,000 SGD
Private property 18,50,000 SGD and above

2.  Groceries

Singapore's groceries are costlier than those in other countries because most of the products on the market are imported. Milk, non-Asian products, and non-tropical fruits tend to be more expensive.

Grocery Items Approximate Cost
Milk (1 litre) 4.5 SGD
White bread (1 loaf) 2.5 SGD
White rice (1 kilogram) 3 SGD
Eggs (1 dozen) 3.5 SGD
Cheese (200 grams) 26 SGD
Chicken breast (1 kilogram) 10.7 SGD
Apples (1 kilogram) 4.8 SGD
Bananas (1 kilogram) 3 SGD
Oranges (1 kilogram) 5 SGD
Tomatoes (1 kilogram) 3 SGD
Potatoes (1 kilogram) 4.39 SGD
Onions (1 kilogram) 1.84 SGD
Lettuce (1 kilogram) 2.48 SGD

3.  Transportation

An individual’s transportation cost varies widely based on the travel distance and the transportation mode used. However, you can save a lot of money if you live close to your workspace or educational institute.

Fuel Cost/Transportation Service Approximate Cost
One-way ticket (public transport) 1.9 SGD
Monthly pass (public transport) 125 SGD
Taxi 1 km normal tariff 2 SGD
Price of gasoline (as of July 2024) 3.2 SGD per litre
Cabs (minimum cost) 4 SGD

4.  Utilities

The cost of utilities is a significant factor in Singapore's cost of living. These include the money spent on electricity bills, mobile tariff, gas supply, etc. The table mentioned below highlights the approximate amount spent on the basic utilities

Utilities Approximate Cost
Electricity, cooling, heating, water, garbage 168 SGD
Local prepaid mobile tariff (1 min) 0.2 SGD
Unlimited internet package 45 SGD

5.  Entertainment and Leisure

Singapore offers its residents many ways to chill and relax after a long day of work or studies. This can be anything like dining at a fine restaurant, attending your regular fitness club, a night at the pub, or watching the latest movie.

Area of Expense Approximate Cost
1-month gym membership 155 SGD - 195 SGD
1-hour rent for a tennis court 13 SGD
1 seat in a cinema hall 13 SGD
A meal in an affordable restaurant (1 person) 25 SGD
Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant 120 SGD
McMeal at McDonald's 8 SGD

6.  Childcare and Schooling

Most expats who have kids in Singapore prefer international schools. This might be because of their cultural background or the future they want for their kids. The monthly tuition fees for schooling and childcare play an important role in calculating a family's cost of living in Singapore.

Schools and Childcare Approximate Cost
Preschool, private, full-day for 1 child 1,290 SGD
International primary school for 1 child 29,000 SGD

Tips on Reducing the Cost of Living in Singapore

Important Things to Know Before Moving to Singapore

FAQs about the Cost of Living in Singapore