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Cost of living in Singapore

Prices overall in Singapore are about 0.60 of US prices at market exchange rates (World Bank price level index, 2025: 60.49 with the United States at 100). It is an average for the whole economy, not a budget. [Cost of living C1] Twelve one-bedroom condominium adverts seen on 15 October 2026 in five areas asked S$3,800 to S$4,600 a month, for flats of 441 to 624 sq ft with the nearest MRT station 52 m to 681 m away on foot. They are single adverts, not an average, and availability was unconfirmed. [C2] [C3] [C4] [C5] [C6] [C7] [C8] [C9] [C10] [C11] [C12] [C13]

What we found

The research, with its sources.

Research information, not advice. Rules change, so check the source before you act on one.

  • Prices overall in Singapore are about 0.60 of US prices at market exchange rates (World Bank price level index, 2025: 60.49 with the United States at 100). It is an average for the whole economy, not a budget. [Cost of living C1]
  • Twelve one-bedroom condominium adverts seen on 15 October 2026 in five areas asked S$3,800 to S$4,600 a month, for flats of 441 to 624 sq ft with the nearest MRT station 52 m to 681 m away on foot. They are single adverts, not an average, and availability was unconfirmed. [C2] [C3] [C4] [C5] [C6] [C7] [C8] [C9] [C10] [C11] [C12] [C13]
  • Private homes can only be let to occupants who stay at least three consecutive months, and not on a daily or weekly basis, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority. [C14]
  • HDB public flats are closed to tourists as tenants, and non-citizens need a pass valid for at least six months. Whole-flat rentals to non-Malaysian non-citizens are limited to 8% of a neighbourhood and 11% of a block. [C15]
  • Stamp duty on a lease of four years or less is 0.4% of the total rent. The adverts do not state the deposit or advance rent, so those amounts are unknown. CEA says no payment is needed to secure a viewing or a rental, and payments should go to the owner, not the agent. [C16] [C17]
  • From 1 September 2026 a National University Polyclinics medical consultation cost non-residents S$83.71 with an S$85 deposit at registration, and from 1 October 2026 a Singapore General Hospital specialist consultation cost non-residents S$154.17 to S$288.78 (GST included). MediShield Life is for citizens and permanent residents only. [C18] [C19] [C20]
  • Singapore is hot all year: the 24-hour mean temperature is 26.8 °C in December and January and 28.6 °C in May, with humidity averaging about 82% (1991 to 2020 means). We found no dated prices for cooling and electricity, internet, groceries, local transport or private health insurance, so they are unknown, not zero. [C21]
  • At the European Central Bank's reference rates of 15 October 2026, S$3,800 to S$4,600 a month is about US$2,960 to US$3,590, C$4,210 to C$5,090, A$4,290 to A$5,190 or NZ$5,290 to NZ$6,400. Exchange rates move daily. [C22] [C2] [C3] [C4] [C5] [C6] [C7] [C8] [C9] [C10] [C11] [C12] [C13]

The Fernshore Index

How the Index grades the cost of living.

Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.

The country

More on Singapore.

Topics

More about Singapore.

Questions about Cost of living in Singapore.

How much does it cost to live in Singapore?

Prices overall are about 0.60 of US prices (World Bank, 2025), an average, not a budget. Eight one-bedroom adverts asked S$3,800 to S$4,600 a month. We found no dated prices for utilities, groceries, local transport or private health insurance, so no total is given.

Price level index (GDP), Singapore, World Bank; Spottiswoode Residences, one-bedroom (listing 749897), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Spottiswoode Residences, one-bedroom (listing 809737), PropNex (private property agency and portal); 76 Shenton, one-bedroom (listing 1031126), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Vida, one-bedroom (listing 556685), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Starlight Suites, one-bedroom (listing 856502), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Haus on Handy, one-bedroom (listing 951748), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Fourth Avenue Residences, one-bedroom (listing 660738), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Loft @ Nathan, one-bedroom (listing 949843), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026

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How much is rent in Singapore?

Adverts seen on 15 October 2026 for one-bedroom condominium flats asked S$3,800 to S$4,600 a month in five areas, for 441 to 624 sq ft. Orchard and River Valley ran S$3,900 to S$4,600 and Bukit Timah S$3,800. They are single adverts, not an average.

Spottiswoode Residences, one-bedroom (listing 749897), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Spottiswoode Residences, one-bedroom (listing 809737), PropNex (private property agency and portal); 76 Shenton, one-bedroom (listing 1031126), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Vida, one-bedroom (listing 556685), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Starlight Suites, one-bedroom (listing 856502), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Haus on Handy, one-bedroom (listing 951748), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Fourth Avenue Residences, one-bedroom (listing 660738), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Loft @ Nathan, one-bedroom (listing 949843), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Meyer Mansion, one-bedroom (listing 1037003), PropNex (private property agency and portal); The Shore Residences, one-bedroom (listing 919300), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Principal Garden, one-bedroom (listing 951704), PropNex (private property agency and portal); Stirling Residences, one-bedroom (listing 1032125), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026

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Can I rent a home in Singapore for just a month or two?

Not a private home. The Urban Redevelopment Authority requires every occupant of a private home to stay at least three consecutive months, and bars daily or weekly lets. HDB public flats are closed to tourists. Prices for hotels and other short stays are unknown here.

Renting property: minimum stay duration, Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Singapore; Eligibility to rent out a flat (tenant rules), Housing & Development Board (HDB), Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026

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What upfront costs come with a Singapore lease?

Stamp duty on a lease of four years or less is 0.4% of the total rent. The adverts do not state the deposit or advance rent, so those are unknown. CEA says no payment is needed to secure a viewing or rental, and payments should go to the owner, not the agent.

Stamp duty on renting a property, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS); Rental scams, Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026

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What does a doctor's visit cost in Singapore, and do I need insurance?

From 1 September 2026 a polyclinic consultation cost non-residents S$83.71 plus an S$85 deposit, and a Singapore General Hospital specialist S$154.17 to S$288.78. MediShield Life is for citizens and permanent residents only. Private insurance prices are unknown here.

Fees and charges, National University Polyclinics, National University Polyclinics (public, Singapore); Outpatient charges, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore General Hospital (public, Singapore); MediShield Life, Ministry of Health, Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026

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Sources

Where each figure comes from.

Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.

  1. [SG C1] Price level index (GDP), Singapore, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 60.49 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
  2. [Cost of living C1] Price level index (GDP), Singapore, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. [C2] Spottiswoode Residences, one-bedroom (listing 749897), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. [C3] Spottiswoode Residences, one-bedroom (listing 809737), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. [C4] 76 Shenton, one-bedroom (listing 1031126), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. [C5] Vida, one-bedroom (listing 556685), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  7. [C6] Starlight Suites, one-bedroom (listing 856502), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  8. [C7] Haus on Handy, one-bedroom (listing 951748), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  9. [C8] Fourth Avenue Residences, one-bedroom (listing 660738), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  10. [C9] Loft @ Nathan, one-bedroom (listing 949843), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  11. [C10] Meyer Mansion, one-bedroom (listing 1037003), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  12. [C11] The Shore Residences, one-bedroom (listing 919300), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  13. [C12] Principal Garden, one-bedroom (listing 951704), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  14. [C13] Stirling Residences, one-bedroom (listing 1032125), PropNex (private property agency and portal). Checked 15 October 2026.
  15. [C14] Renting property: minimum stay duration, Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026.
  16. [C15] Eligibility to rent out a flat (tenant rules), Housing & Development Board (HDB), Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026.
  17. [C16] Stamp duty on renting a property, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Checked 15 October 2026.
  18. [C17] Rental scams, Council for Estate Agencies (CEA), Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026.
  19. [C18] Fees and charges, National University Polyclinics, National University Polyclinics (public, Singapore). Checked 15 October 2026.
  20. [C19] Outpatient charges, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore General Hospital (public, Singapore). Checked 15 October 2026.
  21. [C20] MediShield Life, Ministry of Health, Singapore. Checked 15 October 2026.
  22. [C21] Climate of Singapore: climate station means 1991–2020, Changi, Meteorological Service Singapore (National Environment Agency). Checked 15 October 2026.
  23. [C22] Euro foreign exchange reference rates: Singapore dollar, 15 October 2026, European Central Bank. Checked 15 October 2026.

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