Cost of Living in Singapore - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $3,526 per month with rent on average across Singapore.

A couple spends around $5,196 per month with rent on average across Singapore.

A family of three spends around $6,865 per month with rent on average across Singapore.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.85 SGD 13.93
$3.87 SGD 4.97
$23.25 SGD 29.85
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.5 SGD 98.2
$45.91 SGD 58.9
$134 SGD 172
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.61 SGD 9.77
$6.84 SGD 8.78
$9.13 SGD 11.72
Cappuccino
$5.02 SGD 6.45
$3.16 SGD 4.06
$6.32 SGD 8.11
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69 SGD 2.17
$1.18 SGD 1.51
$3.53 SGD 4.54
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18 SGD 1.51
$0.76 SGD 0.98
$2.28 SGD 2.93
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.78 SGD 9.99
$4.66 SGD 5.98
$12.44 SGD 15.97
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.43 SGD 12.11
$6.28 SGD 8.06
$15.71 SGD 20.17
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.99 SGD 3.84
$1.94 SGD 2.49
$4.65 SGD 5.97
White Bread (500g)
$2.43 SGD 3.12
$1.61 SGD 2.06
$5.62 SGD 7.22
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.83 SGD 3.63
$1.54 SGD 1.98
$4.63 SGD 5.94
Eggs
$3.28 SGD 4.21
$2.49 SGD 3.19
$4.58 SGD 5.88
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.40 SGD 24.90
$7.78 SGD 9.99
$38.90 SGD 49.95
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.27 SGD 14.46
$5.48 SGD 7.04
$31.35 SGD 40.25
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$22.95 SGD 29.46
$11.87 SGD 15.24
$39.56 SGD 50.8
Apples (1kg)
$4.48 SGD 5.75
$2.33 SGD 3.00
$7.79 SGD 10.00
Banana (1kg)
$3.03 SGD 3.89
$1.60 SGD 2.05
$6.72 SGD 8.63
Oranges (1kg)
$4.96 SGD 6.37
$1.97 SGD 2.53
$11.04 SGD 14.18
Tomato (1kg)
$2.62 SGD 3.36
$1.37 SGD 1.76
$5.35 SGD 6.87
Potato (1kg)
$2.45 SGD 3.14
$1.16 SGD 1.49
$3.88 SGD 4.98
Onion (1kg)
$2.16 SGD 2.77
$1.53 SGD 1.97
$3.83 SGD 4.91
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.06 SGD 2.64
$1.41 SGD 1.81
$3.21 SGD 4.12
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.52 SGD 1.95
$0.77 SGD 0.99
$2.31 SGD 2.97
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.22 SGD 16.98
$12.45 SGD 15.98
$15.56 SGD 19.97
Wine (Bottle)
$25.28 SGD 32.46
$15.56 SGD 19.98
$38.90 SGD 49.94
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.20 SGD 5.39
$2.62 SGD 3.36
$5.81 SGD 7.46
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.07 SGD 6.51
$2.45 SGD 3.14
$7.64 SGD 9.81
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.52 SGD 1.95
$1.14 SGD 1.46
$2.28 SGD 2.92
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$94.3 SGD 121
$62.9 SGD 80.7
$118 SGD 151
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.51 SGD 4.51
$3.05 SGD 3.92
$4.57 SGD 5.87
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.76 SGD 0.98
$0.49 SGD 0.63
$1.52 SGD 1.96
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.41 SGD 21.06
$11.72 SGD 15.05
$23.44 SGD 30.10
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.28 SGD 2.93
$2.00 SGD 2.57
$2.55 SGD 3.27
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$138.0K SGD 177.2K
$115.0K SGD 147.7K
$153.4K SGD 196.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$127.8K SGD 164.1K
$115.9K SGD 148.8K
$146.8K SGD 188.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$159 SGD 204
$102 SGD 131
$277 SGD 356
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.76 SGD 24.08
$7.93 SGD 10.18
$47.54 SGD 61.0
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.64 SGD 47.04
$23.16 SGD 29.73
$61.7 SGD 79.3
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$118 SGD 151
$77.7 SGD 99.8
$194 SGD 250
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.22 SGD 15.69
$7.78 SGD 9.99
$15.55 SGD 19.97
Cinema Ticket
$11.65 SGD 14.96
$10.10 SGD 12.96
$15.53 SGD 19.94
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,194 SGD 1,533
$702 SGD 901
$2,183 SGD 2,803
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29.7K SGD 38.2K
$20.4K SGD 26.2K
$37.6K SGD 48.3K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.3 SGD 104
$46.33 SGD 59.5
$116 SGD 149
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.98 SGD 55.2
$19.49 SGD 25.03
$77.2 SGD 99.1
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 SGD 135
$61.5 SGD 78.9
$154 SGD 197
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$127 SGD 163
$61.7 SGD 79.3
$193 SGD 248
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,131 SGD 4,020
$2,330 SGD 2,991
$3,883 SGD 4,985
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,232 SGD 2,866
$1,772 SGD 2,275
$2,927 SGD 3,759
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$6,056 SGD 7,776
$4,594 SGD 5,898
$7,656 SGD 9,829
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,747 SGD 4,811
$2,724 SGD 3,497
$5,448 SGD 6,995
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$23.2K SGD 29.8K
$18.6K SGD 23.9K
$32.8K SGD 42.1K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$16.2K SGD 20.8K
$13.1K SGD 16.8K
$20.0K SGD 25.7K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,259 SGD 5,468
-
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: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom averages $3,127 nationally. In Singapore, expect around $3,127, while Singapore – the country's most affordable city overall – comes in at $3,127.

The average net salary across Singapore is $4,298 – enough to cover average monthly costs of $3,526, but with limited room for savings. Margins vary widely by city.

Groceries average around $452 per month nationally. A mid-range dinner for two costs about $78.0.

Cost Highlights

Overall living costs ($3,526) is 162% above the global median of $1,344.

Average rent ($3,127) is 400% above the global median of $626.

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
180 $1,016 $3,526 $2,513 $6,865
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 $3,526 in affordable regions to $3,526 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 $3,526 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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