Living in Singapore
What it really costs to live in Singapore, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Singapore, updated 2026. As Singapore's capital, Singapore commands the country's highest rents — but also its deepest job market. Singapore lies in South-Eastern Asia. The main languages are English, Malay, Mandarin. The currency is the Singapore dollar.
Cost of Living in Singapore
Full Monthly Breakdown for Singapore
How Singapore Compares to Other Singapore Cities
Singapore is not the only option in Singapore. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€3 426) stacks up against the other cities we track — Singapore (Sentosa/Expat Enclaves) is the cheapest, Singapore the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (Sentosa/Expat Enclaves) | €2 912/mo | -15% vs Singapore |
| Singapore (Central - CBD/Orchard/Tiong Bahru) | €2 912/mo | -15% vs Singapore |
| Singapore (Suburban - Jurong/Tampines/Woodlands) | €2 912/mo | -15% vs Singapore |
What You Can Earn in Singapore
Typical gross annual salaries in Singapore by sector (entry · median · senior). Singapore pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €38 000 | €55 000 | €82 000 |
| retail | €19 500 | €28 000 | €39 000 |
| finance | €42 000 | €62 000 | €95 000 |
| education | €33 500 | €48 000 | €67 000 |
| healthcare | €28 000 | €42 000 | €62 000 |
| engineering | €35 000 | €52 000 | €75 000 |
| hospitality | €22 500 | €32 000 | €45 000 |
| construction | €29 500 | €42 000 | €59 000 |
Living in Singapore: Safety, Health & Climate
Singapore shares Singapore's wider quality-of-life profile. Singapore has a tropical climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Singapore
Affording Singapore is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Singapore. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~2 years.
- Investment route from about €8 350 000 (USD).
Taxes in Singapore
Top marginal rate 24%, VAT 9%. Special regime — Not Ordinarily Resident (NOR): Only Singapore-sourced income taxed for 5 years. Foreign income exempt | Global Investor Programme: Permanent residence via investment. SGD 10M minimum
Settling into Singapore
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Singapore.
- Budget around €2 800 for first-month setup in Singapore.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Nursing, Architecture, Dentistry.
Get Your Singapore Emigration Report
Personalised visa options, costs and a 90-day plan for Singapore.
Get Essential Report — €5or start the free assessmentSingapore FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Singapore?
A single person in central Singapore should budget about €3 426/month, roughly €2 912 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €6 200/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Singapore?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Singapore visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Singapore Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries