KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Singapore’s 2026 living costs remain high, with housing and car ownership driving overall expenses.
Singles need about S$2,100–2,500 monthly; families of four may spend S$5,200–6,500 depending on housing type.
Plan early for housing loans, rental contracts, insurance coverage and school fees to avoid budget strain.

Singapore continues to rank among the world’s most expensive cities in 2026. Higher housing prices, 9% GST, utilities adjustments and healthcare premiums are key cost drivers.

Below is a practical breakdown to help citizens, PRs, expats and students budget realistically in SGD.

Estimated Monthly Cost Snapshot (2026)

Category	Single (Renting Room)	Family of 4 (HDB Owner)
Housing	S$1,000	S$2,200 (mortgage)
Food	S$600	S$1,200
Utilities	S$100	S$300
Transport	S$120	S$300
Healthcare & Insurance	S$150–300	S$400
Miscellaneous	S$300	S$800
Estimated Total	S$2,100–2,500	S$5,200–6,500

Figures vary depending on lifestyle and location.

1. Housing Costs (Largest Expense)

Housing typically accounts for 30–50% of monthly expenditure.

HDB Flats (Public Housing)

Managed by the Housing & Development Board.

2026 Resale Prices:

3-room: S$380,000 – S$480,000
4-room: S$500,000 – S$700,000
5-room: S$650,000 – S$900,000

Estimated monthly HDB loan (25 years, 2.6% concessionary rate):
S$1,500 – S$2,800

Eligible buyers may tap CPF Housing Grants via the Central Provident Fund.

Private Condominiums

Due to land scarcity, prices remain elevated.

OCR: S$1.5M – S$2.2M
RCR: S$2M – S$3M
CCR: S$2.5M – S$5M+

Monthly mortgage: S$4,000 – S$8,000+

Rental Market (2026)

HDB room: S$800 – S$1,200
3-room HDB (whole unit): S$2,700 – S$3,400
2-bedroom condo: S$4,000 – S$6,000

Rent remains elevated due to foreign workforce demand.

2. Utilities & Household Bills

Electricity tariffs are influenced by the Energy Market Authority.

4-room HDB Monthly Estimate:

Electricity & gas: S$120 – S$220
Water: S$40 – S$70
Fibre broadband: S$40 – S$60
SIM-only mobile plan: S$20 – S$50

Total: S$220 – S$350 per month

3. Food & Groceries

Singapore offers affordable hawker options, but dining at restaurants increases spending.

Eating Out

Hawker meal: S$4 – S$8
Food court: S$7 – S$12
Casual restaurant: S$20 – S$35
Fine dining: S$80 – S$200+

Groceries (2 Adults)

Major chains such as NTUC FairPrice dominate the market.

Monthly spend: S$400 – S$700

Average household food budget: S$600 – S$1,200

4. Transportation Costs

Public transport remains efficient under the Land Transport Authority.

Public Transport

MRT & bus: S$100 – S$150 monthly

Most residents rely on this system.

Car Ownership

The Certificate of Entitlement (COE) significantly increases vehicle costs.

Small car: S$120,000 – S$150,000
COE alone: S$80,000 – S$100,000+
Petrol & maintenance: S$300 – S$600 monthly

Car ownership is a premium lifestyle choice.

5. Healthcare Expenses

Healthcare is regulated by the Ministry of Health.

Public Healthcare (Subsidised)

GP visit: S$20 – S$40
Specialist: S$60 – S$120
Subsidised ward: S$200 – S$500/day

All citizens are covered under MediShield Life.

Private Healthcare

GP: S$40 – S$80
Specialist: S$150 – S$400
Private hospital stay: S$1,000+ per day

Many residents upgrade to Integrated Shield Plans.

6. Education Costs

Overseen by the Ministry of Education.

Public Schools (Citizens)

Primary: Below S$20/month
Secondary: Below S$25/month

University (Example: National University of Singapore)

Local subsidised tuition: S$8,000 – S$9,000 per year
International students: S$18,000 – S$40,000+

International schools: S$25,000 – S$45,000 annually

Why This Matters

Singapore’s high living costs are primarily policy-driven — land scarcity, controlled car population growth and a co-payment healthcare model.

However, the structure also ensures:

Political stability
Strong employment prospects
Low crime rates
Reliable infrastructure

Support schemes such as GST Vouchers and CPF subsidies help offset costs for lower- and middle-income households. Missing grant eligibility or delaying financial planning can significantly increase long-term expenses.

Is Singapore Still Affordable in 2026?

For singles earning S$4,000 monthly, living comfortably is achievable with prudent budgeting, especially without a car.

For families, housing choice determines affordability. Opting for HDB over private property substantially reduces financial pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the average monthly cost of living in Singapore in 2026?

Single: S$2,100–3,000
Family of four: S$5,000–7,000

2. Is housing the biggest expense?

Yes. It can account for up to 50% of total monthly spending.

3. Is public healthcare affordable?

Yes. Subsidised care remains reasonably priced compared to private hospitals.

4. Can you live on S$4,000 salary in Singapore?

Yes for a single individual, provided housing costs are controlled.

5. Why is owning a car so expensive?

The COE system restricts vehicle growth, significantly raising purchase prices.

Cost of Living in Singapore 2026: Housing, food, transport, healthcare & monthly budgets