🇸🇬 Singapore
A 24-hour field dispatch ~ what Singapore costs, what it pays, and what it feels like to wake up here.
Compare Singapore →Move Score
8/10
Cost, salary, visa, quality of life combined.
Population
5.9M
Asia/Singapore · English
One-bedroom, central Singapore: $3,800 / month. Outside the centre, 25 min by transit: $2,600 / month. Utilities: $200.
High rain, high salaries. The locals stopped noticing either.
Rent · 1BR centre
$3,800/mo
Within 15 min of city centre
Rent · outside
$2,600/mo
25–35 min transit to centre
Utilities
$200/mo
Power, water, internet ~ 1BR
Monthly pass: $100 / month. Walkability: 8.5 / 10 — most errands on foot. Safety: 9.2 / 10. Low violent crime.
Transit · monthly
$100/mo
Unlimited metro + bus + tram
Walkability
8.5/10
Safety
9.2/10
Low violent crime. Petty theft in tourist zones.
After 22% income tax, take-home is $7,582 / month.
Purchasing power is competitive. Cost of living doesn't cancel the take-home.
Employment Pass (S$5,000/mo min, rising to S$5,500 for financial sector). Tech.Pass for tech talent. ONE Pass for top earners (S$30k+/mo). EntrePass for entrepreneurs. Strict quota system — employer-dependent.
finance analyst · gross
$116,640/yr
Income tax
22%
Standard progressive rate
Take-home · monthly
$7,582avg
After tax · before rent
Groceries for one, cooking most nights: $500 / month. A restaurant meal for two, mid-range: $120.
Healthcare: public system, covered for residents. Internet: 9.5 / 10. Fast. Remote work is viable.
Groceries · monthly
$500/mo
Single, cooking most nights
Dinner for two
$120avg
Mid-range, with wine
Internet
9.5/10
Fibre widely available
Holland Village
Expat Classic & Relaxed
1BR rent: $4,200 · Good for: Expats, Families, Remote workers
Tanjong Pagar
Business & Cosmopolitan
1BR rent: $4,500 · Good for: Finance workers, Singles
Tiong Bahru
Hipster & Heritage
1BR rent: $3,800 · Good for: Remote workers, Culture, Young professionals
Jurong East
Suburban & Affordable
1BR rent: $2,400 · Good for: Families, Budget
Punggol
New Town & Family
1BR rent: $2,200 · Good for: Families, Budget
Expat-friendly
8.8/10
Nightlife
7.8/10
Quality of life
8.2/10
Tropical. Hot and humid year-round (29–34°C). Heavy rainfall, no real seasons.
JAN
27°
28d
FEB
27°
26d
MAR
28°
21d
APR
29°
14d
MAY
30°
7d
JUN
31°
2d
JUL
31°
0d
AUG
31°
2d
SEP
30°
7d
OCT
29°
14d
NOV
28°
21d
DEC
27°
26d
Top: avg daily high °C. Bottom: rainy days that month.
Summer high
31°C
Winter high
27°C
Rain days / year
170days
Coworking desk: $500 / month. Gym membership: $80 / month.
Coworking
$500/mo
Hot desk · standard
Gym
$80/mo
Standard chain membership
Employment Pass (S$5,000/mo min, rising to S$5,500 for financial sector). Tech.Pass for tech talent. ONE Pass for top earners (S$30k+/mo). EntrePass for entrepreneurs. Strict quota system — employer-dependent.
Healthcare
9.0/10
Public for residents
→ Who this city is for
Finance / high-earner (€120k+)
Low tax rate (22%) + strong expat infrastructure. High earners do well here.
Family relocation
Safety 9.2/10, healthcare 9.0/10. Strong foundations for a family move.
Remote worker on €50–80k
Internet is strong but costs eat into remote salaries at this rent level.
Retiree / lifestyle mover
Good climate but rent at SGD 3,800/mo eats into fixed income.
Party / nightlife seeker
Decent nightlife (7.8/10) but not the headline reason to move here.
Every number in this dispatch, in one place. Verified May 2026. Sources: local cost surveys 2026, ECA International, MOM Singapore, LinkedIn Salary.
Rent · 1BR centre
$3,800/mo
Rent · 1BR outside
$2,600/mo
Utilities
$200/mo
Groceries
$500/mo
Transit
$100/mo
Coworking
$500/mo
Gym
$80/mo
Est. total · single
$3,980/mo
Software engineer
$108,000/yr
Income tax
22%
Move score
$8/10
Safety
9.2/10
Walkability
8.5/10
Quality of life
8.2/10
Healthcare
9.0/10
Expat-friendly
8.8/10
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