Cost of Living in Singapore: 2026 Budget Guide
Housing Costs
Housing is the biggest expense. A one-bedroom HDB flat in a suburban area costs SGD 1,200-1,800/month. A condo in a central area costs SGD 3,000-5,000/month. Landed properties start from SGD 5,000/month. Most expats choose condos for the facilities (pool, gym, security). Consider the trade-off between rent and commute time.
Food Budget
Hawker centres are your best friend. A meal costs SGD 4-7 at a hawker centre, SGD 8-15 at a food court, and SGD 25-60 at a mid-range restaurant. Monthly food budget: SGD 400-600 for a single person eating out often, SGD 600-800 for a couple. Cooking at home can reduce this by 30-40%.
Transport Costs
The MRT is efficient and affordable. A monthly transport pass costs SGD 120-150. A single MRT trip costs SGD 1.50-3.00 depending on distance. Grab rides cost SGD 10-25 per trip within the city. Taxi flagfall starts at SGD 4.50. Owning a car is extremely expensive — COE alone can cost SGD 100,000+ for a Category B car.
Utilities & Other Expenses
Monthly utilities (electricity, water, gas): SGD 120-200 for a 3-room HDB, SGD 200-350 for a condo. Internet: SGD 40-60/month. Mobile plan: SGD 20-50/month. Health insurance: SGD 100-300/month for integrated shield plan. Total miscellaneous: SGD 500-800/month.
Sample Budgets
Single person sharing HDB: SGD 2,500-3,500/month. Single person in condo: SGD 4,000-5,500/month. Couple in condo: SGD 5,500-7,500/month. Family of four: SGD 8,000-12,000/month. These budgets assume mid-range lifestyles without extravagant spending.