Cost of Living in Singapore

The cost of living in Singapore differs by lifestyle, household size, neighbourhood, and area. Estimated costs, excluding rent, are SGD 1,509.60 (approximately INR 1.12L) per month, single; and SGD 5,528.70 (approximately INR 4.11L) per month, family of four.

With public transportation, shared housing, and cooking meals at home, managing a budget is possible for students and working people. Actual spending on an individual's rent, travel, household, and personal preferences.

This article covers the average cost of living in Singapore by profile, rent, food, transportation, utilities, leisure and entertainment, healthcare, and more in Singapore. It also covers Singapore's and India's cost of living, with useful tips for budgeting.

Cost of Living in Singapore By Profile

Students, working professionals, and families can understand the living cost in Singapore to create budgets for their monthly living expenses. Other costs, including food and groceries, transport, leisure, and utilities, can significantly affect the average cost of living in Singapore.

The following estimates cover monthly expenses excluding rent:

Household Type	Approximate Monthly Cost (SGD /Approximately in INR)
Single person	SGD 1,509.60 (INR 1.12L)
Family of four	SGD 5,528.70 (INR 4.11L)

These numbers are a general guideline for day-to-day costs, not a tight budget on what each person should spend. 

If you’re planning to study in Singapore, then read: Universities in Singapore,

Cost of Living in Major Singapore Areas

Singapore is a city-state; monthly expenses vary by neighbourhood or residential area. Some areas have more expensive housing in central places, while further from the city centre, you can find comparatively affordable rental accommodation. 

The following table provides approximate monthly costs across areas in Singapore:

Area	Approximate Monthly Cost (SGD /Approximately in INR)
Orchard and central Singapore	SGD 4,000-7,500 (INR 2.97L-5.56L)
Marina Bay and Downtown Core	SGD 4,000-7,500 (INR 2.97L-5.56L)
Queenstown and Buona Vista	SGD 3,500-6,000 (INR 2.60L-4.45L)
Tampines and eastern Singapore	SGD 3,500-5,500 (INR 2.60L-4.08L)
Woodlands and northern Singapore	SGD 3,500-5,500 (INR 2.60L-4.08L)

These broad ranges combine the estimated non-rent cost for one person with indicative housing costs. They should be used to compare possible budgets rather than as verified averages for each area.

Accommodation Costs in Singapore

One of the major living cost in Singapore is accommodation. The costs are determined by the rental size, number of bedrooms, and whether you rent an apartment or share accommodation.

The average monthly rentals for apartments within and outside the city centre have been estimated as shown in the table below: 

Accommodation Type	Approximate Monthly Cost (SGD /Approximately in INR)
One-bedroom apartment in city centre	SGD 2,500-6,000 (INR 1.85L-4.45L)
One-bedroom apartment outside city centre	SGD 2,000-3,500 (INR 1.48L-2.60L)
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre	SGD 5,000-10,000 (INR 3.71L-7.42L)
Three-bedroom apartment outside city centre	SGD 3,800-7,000 (INR 2.82L-5.19L)

Rent is a major expense when it comes to your monthly budget! Learn all about accommodations in Singapore.

Monthly Food & Grocery Expenses in Singapore

Food costs are affected by your grocery purchases and by eating out. Cooking at home is a way to save on food costs; dining out or ordering foreign food increases costs.

Below is a general idea of the cost of food items in Singapore: 

Grocery Item	Approximate Cost (SGD /Approximately in INR)
Milk, 1 litre	SGD 2.05-6 (INR 152-445)
Fresh white bread, 500 g	SGD 2-7 (INR 148-519)
White rice, 1 kg	SGD 2-6 (INR 148-445)
Eggs, 12 large	SGD 3.42-9.60 (INR 254-712)
Local cheese, 1 kg	SGD 12-100 (INR 890-7,415)
Chicken fillets, 1 kg	SGD 8.31-20 (INR 616-1,483)
Beef, 1 kg	SGD 20-56 (INR 1,483-4,152)
Apples, 1 kg	SGD 3-8 (INR 222-593)
Bananas, 1 kg	SGD 3-6 (INR 222-445)
Oranges, 1 kg	SGD 2-12 (INR 148-890)
Tomatoes, 1 kg	SGD 1.50-4 (INR 111-297)
Potatoes, 1 kg	SGD 1.35-5 (INR 100-371)
Onions, 1 kg	SGD 2-5 (INR 148-371)
Lettuce, 1 head	SGD 1.80-4 (INR 133-297)

Restaurant Prices in Singapore

If you are dining out multiple times a week, then such expenses can take up your monthly budget. Eating from Hawker centres and food courts will be an alternative for regular meals, which is more cost-effective.

An average person at a restaurant pays the amounts indicated in the table below for some common items:

Restaurant or Food Item	Approximate Cost (SGD /Approximately in INR)
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	SGD 7-30 (INR 519-2,225)
Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant	SGD 50-200 (INR 3,708-14,830)
Fast-food combo meal	SGD 10-13.50 (INR 742-1,001)
Cappuccino	SGD 4.07-8 (INR 302-593)
Soft drink, 0.33 litre	SGD 1.50-5 (INR 111-371)
Bottled water, 0.33 litre	SGD 1-3 (INR 74-222)

Takeaway orders, restaurant lunches, and coffee can cost you more than a month. Plan meals out for the week, so that you are not overspending. 

Transportation Costs in Singapore

Transport costs vary with the distance or frequency of your commute, and the type of transportation you use. Regular taxi, public bus, and train trips are great ways to keep travel costs manageable, and possibly need a larger budget for taxis and private vehicles. 

The table below shows common transportation costs in Singapore:

Transport Expense	Approximate Cost (SGD /Approximately in INR)
One-way local transport ticket	SGD 1.20-2.60 (INR 89-193)
Monthly public transport pass	SGD 122-200 (INR 9,046-14,830)
Taxi starting fare	SGD 4.30-6 (INR 319-445)
Taxi fare per kilometre	SGD 0.65-1.50 (INR 48-111)
Taxi waiting for one hour	SGD 19.20-36 (INR 1,423-2,669)
Petrol, 1 litre	SGD 2.74-3.80 (INR 203-282)

Leisure & Miscellaneous Costs in Singapore

Utilities, mobile services, internet, fitness, and entertainment are regular or occasional costs that you can add to your budget. The cost is going to differ according to your hobbies, lodging, and service provider.

Here are some of the common costs for utilities, recreation, or personal shopping: 

Expense	Approximate Cost (SGD /Approximately in INR)
Basic utilities for an 85 m² apartment	SGD 141.67-323.81 per month (INR 10,503-24,007)
Mobile phone plan	SGD 8.88-30 per month (INR 658-2,225)
Broadband internet	SGD 25-50 per month (INR 1,854-3,708)
Fitness club membership	SGD 90-240 per month (INR 6,674-17,796)
Tennis court rental, 1 hour	SGD 9.50-20 (INR 704-1,483)
Cinema ticket	SGD 13-20 (INR 964-1,483)
Jeans	SGD 50-160 (INR 3,708-11,864)
Summer dress	SGD 20-90 (INR 1,483-6,674)
Running shoes	SGD 80-200 (INR 5,932-14,830)
Men's leather business shoes	SGD 100-200 (INR 7,415-14,830)

Housemates can share utilities, as per the rental agreement. There's no need to budget for clothes or shoes since these are not necessities you have to pay every month. 

Health and Insurance Costs in Singapore

Healthcare costs are different not just regionally but also depending on a person's medical needs, health insurance, and provider. International students / those who work outside of Australia, please speak with the university, employer, and existing policy about any further health care costs. 

The following table gives tentative planning ranges for common healthcare expenses:

Healthcare Expense	Approximate Cost (SGD /Approximately in INR)
General practitioner consultation	SGD 30-100 (INR 2,225-7,415) per visit
Specialist consultation	SGD 100-300 (INR 7,415-22,245) per visit
Basic prescription medicines	SGD 10-80 (INR 742-5,932), depending on medicine
Private health insurance	SGD 50-300 (INR 3,708-22,245) per month
Dental check-up and cleaning	SGD 50-150 (INR 3,708-11,123) per visit

If you’re finding courses to study in Singapore, then read:

• Bachelors in Singapore
• Masters in Singapore
• MBA in Singapore
• PhD in Singapore for Indian Students

Cost of Living in Singapore vs India

The cost of living in Singapore vs India may have a wide difference. The overall cost of living in Singapore is 1,812.7 % higher for rent and 408.6% higher in costs as compared to India. Indian students and professionals living in Singapore have to keep in mind factors such as rent, food, and local travel. 

Here are some starting points for the comparison of expenses in Singapore and in India: 

Expense	Approximate Monthly Cost in Singapore (SGD /Approximately in INR)	Approximate Monthly Cost in India
Accommodation (1-bedroom apartment, city centre)	SGD 2,500-6,000 (INR 1.86L-4.50L)	INR 15,000-60,000
Food and groceries	SGD 300-600 (INR 22,500-45,000)	INR 5,000-10,000
Transportation	SGD 122-200 (INR 9,100-15,000)	INR 1,000-3,000
Healthcare and insurance	SGD 50-300 (INR 3,750-22,500)	INR 500-3,000
Utilities	SGD 142-324 (INR 10,550-24,050)	INR 2,000-6,000

You can study free in Singapore. Read:

• Fully Funded Scholarships in Singapore
• Scholarships in Singapore for Indian Students

Budgeting Tips to Reduce the Cost of Living in Singapore

Planning your spending ahead of time can help when it comes to living in Singapore. Then, calculate your largest expenses, mostly rent, food, transportation, utilities, healthcare and entertainment.

• Choose Shared Accommodation

Consider shared housing to save on renting. Decide the location before considering total rent, utilities, transportation, etc. 

• Cook at Home

Cooking at home is cheaper than going to restaurants regularly. Schedule the week's meals, shop around for food, and follow shopping lists for regular items like snacks, coffee, etc.

• Use Public Transport

Transportation such as a public bus or train may help you to budget your daily travel costs. 

• Track Monthly Expenses

Record rent, groceries, transportation, bills, and entertainment expenses.

• Check the type of health insurance coverage you have

Check premiums, exclusions, deductibles, and co-payments for anything that's not covered.

If you are looking for a more affordable option nearby, Malaysia may be worth considering, as the cost of living in Malaysia is generally lower than in Singapore.

Conclusion

The cost of living in Singapore may be expensive, particularly if you include rent in your monthly budget. For individuals, the estimated expenses (excluding rent) are SGD 1,510 (approximately INR 1.12L) and SGD 5,529 (approximately INR 4.11L) for a family of four. Accommodation is a major expense in the cost of living and can be as high as SGD 2,500-6,000 (approximately INR 1.85L-4.45L) per month in the city centre.

Consider insurance and benefits before relocating, use public transportation, prepare meals in the residence, research rentals, and stay within a budget. Another great way to have an idea of the costs you'll incur is by studying the cost of living in Singapore. A comparison of the cost of living in Singapore and India can also give you an idea of how your daily living costs are likely to differ after you move to Singapore.

If you need help comparing costs, finding suitable funding, or planning your study abroad journey, you can book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad's study abroad experts today!