📌A single person spends around $3,651 per month with rent on average across Singapore.
📌A couple spends around $5,224 per month with rent on average across Singapore.
📌A family of three spends around $6,796 per month with rent on average across Singapore.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.86SGD 13.90
$3.87SGD 4.96
$23.27SGD 29.78
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8SGD 101
$47.25SGD 60.5
$138SGD 176
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.69SGD 9.84
$6.91SGD 8.84
$9.22SGD 11.81
Cappuccino
$4.87SGD 6.24
$3.07SGD 3.93
$6.13SGD 7.85
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67SGD 2.13
$1.16SGD 1.49
$3.48SGD 4.46
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.24SGD 1.59
$0.80SGD 1.02
$2.39SGD 3.07
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.95SGD 10.17
$4.76SGD 6.10
$12.71SGD 16.27
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.12SGD 11.68
$6.08SGD 7.78
$15.20SGD 19.46
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk(1 liter)
$2.97SGD 3.80
$1.92SGD 2.46
$4.61SGD 5.91
White Bread(500g)
$2.39SGD 3.06
$1.58SGD 2.02
$5.52SGD 7.07
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.90SGD 3.71
$1.58SGD 2.02
$4.74SGD 6.07
Eggs
$3.29SGD 4.22
$2.50SGD 3.20
$4.60SGD 5.89
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.62SGD 25.11
$7.87SGD 10.08
$39.34SGD 50.4
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.33SGD 14.51
$5.52SGD 7.06
$31.54SGD 40.37
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$22.43SGD 28.71
$11.60SGD 14.85
$38.67SGD 49.50
Apples(1kg)
$4.46SGD 5.71
$2.32SGD 2.97
$7.75SGD 9.92
Banana(1kg)
$2.98SGD 3.81
$1.57SGD 2.01
$6.60SGD 8.45
Oranges(1kg)
$4.84SGD 6.20
$1.92SGD 2.46
$10.78SGD 13.80
Tomato(1kg)
$2.63SGD 3.36
$1.38SGD 1.76
$5.37SGD 6.88
Potato(1kg)
$2.47SGD 3.16
$1.17SGD 1.50
$3.92SGD 5.01
Onion(1kg)
$2.24SGD 2.86
$1.59SGD 2.03
$3.97SGD 5.08
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.06SGD 2.63
$1.41SGD 1.80
$3.21SGD 4.10
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.58SGD 2.02
$0.80SGD 1.02
$2.40SGD 3.07
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.16SGD 16.85
$12.39SGD 15.86
$15.48SGD 19.82
Wine(Bottle)
$25.27SGD 32.35
$15.56SGD 19.91
$38.89SGD 49.79
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.22SGD 5.41
$2.63SGD 3.37
$5.84SGD 7.48
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.19SGD 6.65
$2.51SGD 3.21
$7.83SGD 10.03
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.58SGD 2.02
$1.18SGD 1.52
$2.37SGD 3.03
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$92.3SGD 118
$61.5SGD 78.8
$115SGD 148
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.65SGD 4.67
$3.17SGD 4.06
$4.76SGD 6.09
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76SGD 0.97
$0.49SGD 0.63
$1.52SGD 1.95
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$16.65SGD 21.32
$11.90SGD 15.23
$23.79SGD 30.46
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.28SGD 2.91
$2.00SGD 2.56
$2.54SGD 3.25
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$142.0KSGD 181.8K
$118.4KSGD 151.5K
$157.8KSGD 202.1K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$129.9KSGD 166.3K
$117.8KSGD 150.8K
$149.2KSGD 191.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$160SGD 205
$103SGD 131
$279SGD 358
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.12SGD 23.19
$7.66SGD 9.80
$45.91SGD 58.8
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.90SGD 47.24
$23.32SGD 29.86
$62.2SGD 79.6
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$116SGD 149
$76.7SGD 98.1
$192SGD 245
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.38SGD 15.85
$7.88SGD 10.09
$15.75SGD 20.17
Cinema Ticket
$11.61SGD 14.86
$10.06SGD 12.88
$15.48SGD 19.81
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,189SGD 1,522
$699SGD 895
$2,174SGD 2,783
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$29.3KSGD 37.5K
$20.1KSGD 25.8K
$37.1KSGD 47.6K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.1SGD 105
$46.81SGD 59.9
$117SGD 150
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.22SGD 55.3
$19.60SGD 25.09
$77.6SGD 99.4
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105SGD 135
$61.7SGD 79.0
$154SGD 198
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129SGD 166
$62.7SGD 80.3
$196SGD 251
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,139SGD 4,019
$2,336SGD 2,990
$3,893SGD 4,984
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,243SGD 2,872
$1,780SGD 2,279
$2,942SGD 3,766
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$6,114SGD 7,827
$4,637SGD 5,937
$7,729SGD 9,895
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$3,739SGD 4,787
$2,718SGD 3,480
$5,437SGD 6,960
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$23.7KSGD 30.3K
$19.0KSGD 24.3K
$33.5KSGD 42.9K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$16.1KSGD 20.6K
$12.8KSGD 16.4K
$19.6KSGD 25.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,253SGD 5,444
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.19
2.5
4.65
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom averages $3,101 nationally. In Singapore, expect around $3,101, while Singapore – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $3,101.
💰The average net salary across Singapore is $4,285 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $3,651, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.
🛒Groceries average around $457 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $78.0.
Cost Highlights
⭐Overall living costs ($3,651) is 172% above the global median of $1,340.
⭐Average rent ($3,101) is 395% above the global median of $627.
⭐Dining out ($78.0) is 63% above the global median of $48.00.
⭐Public transport ($94.0) is 185% above the global median of $33.00.
Singapore Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)
Mobile
Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
Fixed Broadband
Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living in Singapore - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Singapore a good value overall for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, or does it skew expensive compared with other hubs?
Singapore offers exceptional efficiency, safety, and access to world-class services that many value highly for work and travel. Cost of Living in Singapore reflects premium urban amenities, reliable transit, and clean neighborhoods, which some travelers weigh against higher daily costs. If you prioritize predictability, strong healthcare, and a compact, safe environment, you may find long-term value here even with higher housing or food costs. Short visits benefit from streamlined logistics and abundant coworking spots, while longer stays reward you with familiar routines and efficient services. Tip: Build a weekly plan that clusters errands to save time and transport expenses.
What does daily life look like in Singapore for housing search, food options, transport, coworking spaces, and errands?
In daily life, housing search can lean toward high-density central condos with easy transit access or more affordable blocks farther from the core. Food options range from budget hawker centers to international eateries for special occasions. Transport is clean, fast, and highly reliable, with an extensive MRT network and buses. Co-working spaces are plentiful, often with flexible passes; errands run smoothly thanks to reliable deliveries and well-organized shops. Singapore living cost shapes what you pick, from neighborhood to weekly dining plan. Tip: Prioritize a transit-friendly route and mix hawker meals with occasional faster options to keep daily costs predictable.
How can you maintain a high quality of life in Singapore while budgeting, choosing neighborhoods, and adapting to weather and lifestyle?
Quality of life here comes from efficiency, safety, and access to green spaces. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate core housing and meals from discretionary spend; use monthly caps and track subscriptions. Neighborhood fit matters: choose areas with easy transit and work-life balance, like well-connected neighborhoods near parks or coastlines, while central spots offer constant activity. Save on costs by mixing hawker meals with occasional dining out, using public transit, and sharing coworking or gyms. Weather is hot and humid most of the year, with brief heavy rain bursts that shape daily routines. Tip: Prioritize a neighborhood you can walk or bike to most daily needs.
What are typical monthly expenses in Singapore in 2026?
Living costs across Singapore vary hugely by location. In 2026, monthly expenses range from $3,651 in affordable regions to $3,651 in major cities. Capitals and tourist spots are at the top; smaller provincial towns are significantly cheaper.
Why is Singapore so expensive?
Singapore is expensive by global standards. High wages, strong regulation, and premium services all drive up prices, and even budget-conscious visitors will find it pricier than most alternatives abroad.
What are average rents in Singapore?
Rent in Singapore varies a lot – Singapore has the highest prices, and the gap between capital and provincial rents can be 50% or more. Choosing which city to live in is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll make.
Is $3,000 per month a tight budget for Singapore?
$3,000 works in Singapore's smaller cities but won't stretch in Singapore. In high-cost areas you'll need shared housing, home cooking, and limited nights out – manageable, but not comfortable.
Is Singapore too expensive for most people?
Singapore leans expensive even in its cheapest cities, where costs start at $3,651 per month. You get quality infrastructure, services, and safety in return – but a strong income is a must for comfortable living.