Cost of Living in Singapore - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $3,507 per month with rent on average in Singapore.

A couple spends around $5,136 per month with rent on average in Singapore.

A family of three spends around $6,764 per month with rent on average in Singapore.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.14 SGD 14.39
$3.97 SGD 5.13
$23.86 SGD 30.83
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.5 SGD 103
$47.71 SGD 61.6
$139 SGD 180
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.99 SGD 10.32
$7.18 SGD 9.27
$9.58 SGD 12.38
Cappuccino
$5.08 SGD 6.57
$3.20 SGD 4.13
$6.39 SGD 8.26
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 SGD 2.14
$1.15 SGD 1.49
$3.46 SGD 4.47
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.20 SGD 1.55
$0.77 SGD 1.00
$2.32 SGD 2.99
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.01 SGD 10.35
$4.80 SGD 6.20
$12.81 SGD 16.55
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.10 SGD 11.76
$6.06 SGD 7.83
$15.16 SGD 19.59
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.94 SGD 3.80
$1.90 SGD 2.46
$4.57 SGD 5.91
White Bread (500g)
$2.39 SGD 3.09
$1.58 SGD 2.04
$5.53 SGD 7.14
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.93 SGD 3.78
$1.60 SGD 2.06
$4.79 SGD 6.19
Eggs
$3.28 SGD 4.24
$2.49 SGD 3.21
$4.58 SGD 5.92
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.41 SGD 25.08
$7.79 SGD 10.07
$38.94 SGD 50.3
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.05 SGD 14.27
$5.38 SGD 6.95
$30.75 SGD 39.72
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$22.69 SGD 29.32
$11.74 SGD 15.16
$39.12 SGD 50.6
Apples (1kg)
$4.47 SGD 5.78
$2.33 SGD 3.01
$7.78 SGD 10.05
Banana (1kg)
$2.90 SGD 3.74
$1.53 SGD 1.97
$6.42 SGD 8.29
Oranges (1kg)
$4.82 SGD 6.22
$1.91 SGD 2.47
$10.73 SGD 13.86
Tomato (1kg)
$2.62 SGD 3.39
$1.38 SGD 1.78
$5.36 SGD 6.93
Potato (1kg)
$2.50 SGD 3.22
$1.19 SGD 1.53
$3.96 SGD 5.11
Onion (1kg)
$2.15 SGD 2.78
$1.53 SGD 1.97
$3.82 SGD 4.93
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.95 SGD 2.52
$1.34 SGD 1.72
$3.04 SGD 3.93
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.56 SGD 2.02
$0.79 SGD 1.02
$2.37 SGD 3.06
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.20 SGD 17.05
$12.42 SGD 16.05
$15.53 SGD 20.06
Wine (Bottle)
$23.48 SGD 30.34
$19.56 SGD 25.27
$46.95 SGD 60.7
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.15 SGD 5.36
$2.58 SGD 3.34
$5.74 SGD 7.42
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.15 SGD 6.66
$2.49 SGD 3.21
$7.77 SGD 10.04
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.54 SGD 1.99
$1.15 SGD 1.49
$2.31 SGD 2.98
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$93.6 SGD 121
$62.4 SGD 80.6
$117 SGD 151
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.66 SGD 4.73
$3.19 SGD 4.11
$4.78 SGD 6.17
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.76 SGD 0.98
$0.49 SGD 0.64
$1.52 SGD 1.96
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.32 SGD 21.08
$11.66 SGD 15.06
$23.31 SGD 30.12
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.23 SGD 2.89
$1.96 SGD 2.54
$2.50 SGD 3.22
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$137.8K SGD 178.1K
$114.9K SGD 148.4K
$153.1K SGD 197.8K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$127.2K SGD 164.4K
$115.4K SGD 149.1K
$146.2K SGD 188.8K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$157 SGD 202
$100 SGD 129
$273 SGD 352
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.40 SGD 23.77
$7.78 SGD 10.05
$46.62 SGD 60.2
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.46 SGD 48.39
$23.68 SGD 30.59
$63.1 SGD 81.6
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$120 SGD 155
$79.5 SGD 103
$199 SGD 257
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.22 SGD 15.79
$7.78 SGD 10.05
$15.54 SGD 20.08
Cinema Ticket
$11.60 SGD 14.99
$10.06 SGD 12.99
$15.47 SGD 19.98
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,181 SGD 1,525
$694 SGD 897
$2,159 SGD 2,790
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29.8K SGD 38.5K
$20.4K SGD 26.4K
$37.7K SGD 48.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.3 SGD 105
$46.37 SGD 59.9
$116 SGD 150
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.47 SGD 56.2
$19.71 SGD 25.47
$78.1 SGD 101
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 SGD 135
$61.3 SGD 79.2
$153 SGD 198
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$131 SGD 169
$63.5 SGD 82.1
$199 SGD 256
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,112 SGD 4,021
$2,316 SGD 2,992
$3,860 SGD 4,986
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,274 SGD 2,938
$1,805 SGD 2,332
$2,982 SGD 3,852
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$6,095 SGD 7,874
$4,623 SGD 5,972
$7,705 SGD 9,954
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,710 SGD 4,794
$2,697 SGD 3,485
$5,395 SGD 6,969
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$22.8K SGD 29.5K
$18.2K SGD 23.6K
$29.0K SGD 37.5K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$16.5K SGD 21.3K
$13.1K SGD 16.9K
$21.1K SGD 27.3K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,971 SGD 5,131
-
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: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $3,209 nationally. In Singapore, expect around $3,209, while Singapore – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $3,209.

The average net salary in Singapore is $3,969 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $3,507, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $450 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $78.0.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($3,507) is 163% above the global median of $1,336.

Average rent ($3,209) is 409% above the global median of $631.

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.

By City in Singapore
Rank
City
Population
Living Index
Solo costs
(no rent) / month
Solo costs
(with rent) / month
Family of 3 costs
(no rent) / month
Family of 3 costs
(with rent) / month
Mobile download speed
(Mbps)
Internet download speed
(Mbps)
1
5535002
179 $1,313 $3,534 $2,558 $6,868
116.03
266.46
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 $3,507 in affordable regions to $3,507 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 the smaller cities of Singapore 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 $3,507 per month. You get quality infrastructure, services, and safety in return – but a strong income is a must for comfortable living.

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