What is the Cost of Living in Singapore in 2024?
Singapore, the Lion City, is one of the top cities in the world. This city is known for its rich traditions, culture, and job opportunities. Due to this, Singapore attracts expats and students searching for foreign education and jobs from across the world.
Although the cost of living in Singapore is comparatively higher than the other top cities worldwide, if you manage your expenses wisely, it will not be a burden to your pockets.
How Much Does 1 SGD Cost in INR?
As of 5th August 2024, 1 SGD equals ₹63.45. However, it is subject to change as per currency exchange rates.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Tips on Reducing the Cost of Living in Singapore
Following are the tips to reduce the cost of living in Singapore:
- Accommodation: Consider places that stay in less central areas or give sharing accommodations. This helps save quite a lot on rent, dramatically reducing your housing cost.
- Transportation: One can use public transportation rather than owning a car. An individual monthly pass for buses or trains can be a saving option compared with the huge expenses that come with driving a vehicle.
- Food: Avoid eating outside food as much as possible. Fresh ingredients are usually relatively cheap and can be bought in most supermarkets and markets.
- Utilities: Pay attention to your electric/water consumption. Small habits like turning off the lights and shutting off the appliances whenever they are not needed could bring your monthly bills down significantly.
- Recreation: Use public spaces, including parks, museums, and local community functions, at minimal or free costs. There are various ways and outlets to have inexpensive fun in Singapore.
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Important Things to Know Before Moving to Singapore
Here are the crucial things to remember before moving to Singapore:
- VISA Requirements: If you decide to move to Singapore, check the requirements of your nationality so you may know in advance whether you would need a work pass or residence permit.
Know more about Singapore visa:
- Housing: Rentals are at different prices, depending on the various parts of the island. Research the different types of neighbourhoods and the associated costs before deciding on your place of stay.
- Healthcare: Singapore is generally fantastic when it comes to health facilities, but it can be truly very, very expensive if you don't have insurance to cover medical expenses. Do consider getting health insurance.
- Culture: Singapore is a multi-cultural society of various races and cultures. To be well accepted by the community, you must respect local practices and laws.
- Cost: Plan your budget regarding housing, transport, food, utilities, and other expenses. Singapore may be a fairly expensive city, so good money management skills are required.
FAQs about the Cost of Living in Singapore
What is the approximate cost of living in Singapore for a bachelor?
The approximate cost of living in Singapore for a bachelor is 1,336 SGD per month.
Is living in Singapore costly?
According to the EIU Cost of Living 2021 survey, Singapore is the second-most expensive city in the world.
How much is 1 SGD in INR?
One SGD (Singapore Dollar) is INR ₹63.45 as of 5th August 2024
How much are the monthly expenses in Singapore?
Monthly expenses in Singapore vary greatly depending on various factors, such as lifestyle and accommodation. Compared with other major countries in Asia, they lie towards the middle to high end of the scale.
What is the cost of living in Singapore for an Indian family?
For an Indian family, the projected cost of living in Singapore, excluding rent, has increased a bit in 2024, ranging from SGD4,700 and SGD 6,000.
What is the minimum wage to survive in Singapore?
On average, the minimum wage required to survive on the island of Singapore ranges from SGD 1200 to SGD 1400. The minimum wage requirement is based on personal lifestyle decisions.
Is Singapore safe enough?
Singapore has a relatively low crime rate as compared to other countries. Hence, Singapore is safe, providing peace of mind and security for any person living in the city-state.
What are some of the affordable areas in Singapore?
The affordable areas in Singapore would be peripheral areas such as Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Panjang, Punggol, Woodlands, Sembawang, etc. These areas will have relatively more affordable housing.
Is Singapore a good city to be a student in?
Singapore is also a famous country worldwide with its vibrancy culture and many learning opportunities in many different categories, the reason students have shifted their choices towards it. As most local speakers understand and speak English, Singapore has become very friendly to students.
Why is Singapore the place to be?
Singapore has the best place to live having a high standard of living, efficient infrastructure, low level of crime, quality healthcare and education systems, and rich cultural scenes.
What is the best way to commute in Singapore?
Getting around in Singapore is relatively easy through public transport, which is effective, wide-reaching, and consists of buses and an MRT spanning the city. Either is convenient and not too expensive.
What is the standard budget for monthly expenses in Singapore?
Monthly expenses in Singapore are high and vary considerably on the nature of the lifestyle one wants to maintain and one’s housing choices. A rough estimate for one person in Singapore regarding the monthly budget will cost around SGD 2,000 - SGD 5,000 or more.
Are there taxes on income in Singapore?
Yes, Singapore has a progressive income tax system. The rates are relatively low compared with those of many countries, and higher earners pay higher rates.
What are the typical costs of childcare and schooling in Singapore?
Childcare prices vary with different facilities and types of care required. There are various international schools, though at times expensive—or at least some school fees go from SGD 20,000 to more than SGD 40,000 per year.
What are the average costs of getting a domestic maid/servant in Singapore?
The price for maintaining a domestic servant/maid is supposedly high in Singapore, as it includes expenses for a monthly salary, levies, and an agency fee, all adding up to SGD 600-800 or more.
What are the set-up costs of starting a business in Singapore?
Many types of costs are involved in starting a business in Singapore, including registration, rental, salaries, and tax.
How does Singapore compare to Hong Kong or Tokyo in cost of living?
The overall impression is that Singapore is slightly more affordable than Hong Kong or Tokyo, except for housing and daily sustenance, which are trickle-down and very costly.
Are there any subsidies or benefits from the government that may lighten the high cost of living in Singapore?
Yes, Singapore provides help in the form of subsidies for healthcare, housing, education, and public transportation that allow residents to cope with the costs of living.
How much are cultural events and concerts in Singapore?
Again, the price of tickets for cultural events and concerts depends upon the venue and artiste. It can range from SGD 20 to hundreds of dollars.
What is the standard of living which you experienced in Singapore compared to India?
You would need around 625,772.0₹ (10,135.0S$) in Singapore to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 140,000.0₹ in Delhi.