Quality & Cost of Living
Singapore is one of the best places to live in, with a high standard of living and quality of life.
Quality of Life
According to the Mercer Quality of Living global city rankings 2009, Singapore topped the list for quality of life in Asia as well as for city infrastructure in the world. An annual survey by human resources consultancy ECA International comparing 254 international locations found that Asian expatriates ranked Singapore as their preferred city to live in, citing the high standards of infrastructure and healthcare, as well as low crime rates.
The city’s modern facilities for education, dining, shopping and recreation also add to the appeal of Singapore. The Global Country Brand Index ranked Singapore 2nd in the world for its shopping, nightlife and dining.
Consumer Price Index
Based on the March 2009 survey by Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore is ranked 10 th worldwide in terms of cost of living and 3rd in Asia, behind Tokyo and Osaka . However, the annual inflation rate in Singapore is among the lowest in the world, even if it has risen during the past few years.
Singapore ’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) reflects trends in the prices of mainly basic food items. The CPI and Singapore’s inflation rate can be tracked at the Statistics Singapore website.
Living Costs
The cost of living in Singapore is generally low. Accommodation and cars make up the bulk of the household expenses, understandably so due to our limited land space. Most residents find that they can live comfortably in Singapore and enjoy the good things in life.
Here are some estimated costs:
| Item |
4-bedroom house with pool
Details |
4-bedroom house with pool
Cost (SGD) |
| Accommodation (rental) |
4-bedroom house with pool
3-bedroom condominium |
10,000 – 25,000 a month
4,000 – 7,000 a month |
| Car |
Mid to high range |
Anything from 90,000 upwards |
| Utilities |
Varying based on usage |
80 – 400 a month |
| Meals |
Mid to high end restaurants |
50 upwards per head, a meal |
| Groceries |
For family of 4 |
800 a month |
| Club membership |
|
1,500 – 4,000 a year |
| Education |
International schools |
3,500 – 15,000 a year |
| Communications |
Mobile phone plans
Broadband |
19.95 - 200 a month
19.95 - 208 a month |
| Entertainment |
Cable TV |
30 a month upwards |
Check out our Cost of Living Calculator to get an estimate of your living expenses in Singapore.