Wondering how far your salary goes in Singapore? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
1-bed apartment (center)S$3,000–5,000 / mo
Meal, mid-range restaurantS$18–35
Hawker centre mealS$4–7
Coffee (café)S$5–7 (kopi at a kopitiam ~S$1.50)
Est. single-person monthlyS$1,500–2,000 (excl. rent)
Good to know
Population
~5.9 million
Official languages
English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil
Currency
Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Work week
Monday–Friday
Power plug
Type G, 230V
Tipping
Not expected; a 10% service charge is usually added
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Singapore checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.