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Countries / Singapore
Singapore
Safest, cleanest and best run city-state in Asia, with prices to match.
RegionSoutheast Asia
CapitalSingapore
CurrencySingapore dollar
LanguageEnglish, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
Expat saturationVery high (43% foreign born)
Living cost · Mid-rangefrom $2,550/mo
Drone reel · 4K · muted loop
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🇸🇬 Singapore from aboveSingapore in 60 secondsAerials of Central, East Coast, Holland Village. Replace this slot with the video element; the text stays overlaid.
Ad
★Northstar Movers
Your life, shipped to Singapore.
Sea and air freight with door delivery and full-value insurance. Track every box.
Compare prices →Serving 30 countries
Sample creative · fictional advertiserAd
MMeridian Relocation
Door to door to Singapore.
One quote, one contact, insured all the way. Packing, customs and delivery to Central.
Get a free quote →Trusted by 40,000 families
Sample creative · fictional advertiserAd
CCasa Nova Rentals
Month-to-month homes in Central.
Furnished, utilities included, no deposit games. Move in from your phone.
Browse homes →From $900/month
Sample creative · fictional advertiserYour moveSets your plan and the listings on flights, hotels, rentals, furnishings, moving and retirement.
Your plan for Singapore checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Affordable move$13,200estimated first-year setup · about 33 weeksMid-range move$26,400estimated first-year setup · about 28 weeksLuxury move$75,400estimated first-year setup · about 20 weeksRetirement move$38,400estimated setup incl. visa, insurance and advice · about 48 weeks
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Singapore by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
Worth of the dollar$1 ≈ S$1.271 Singapore dollar ≈ $0.787 · snapshot, changes daily · Current rate ↗
Utilities · 85 m² flat$170/moElectric, water, sewer & garbage
Home internet$35/moBroadband, typical plan
Wi-Fi & connectivity score98/100Median fixed broadband ≈ 300 Mbps
Internet reliability96/100Very dependable; rare drops or outages
English day-to-dayNative-levelHow far English gets you
Remote-work time zoneHard for USHard for US, partial EU (early)
Phone & eSIM$15/moLocal plan · travel eSIM ≈ $15/10 GB
Walkability of cities88/100Car-optional in the main cities
Air quality66/100Usually moderate; regional haze from Indonesian fires some years Sep–Oct
Healthy food & food safety78/100Strict SFA food safety; Nutri-Grade sugar labels; clean hawker centres
Severe weather & hazards15/100 riskThunderstorms and flash floods; sheltered from typhoons and earthquakes
Drive on theLeftRight-hand-drive cars · Licence & vehicles →
Time zoneSGT (UTC+8)SGT (UTC+8); 13 hours ahead of New York in winter
Literacy97%Adult literacy rate
Cost to give birth$2,500–6,000 for foreignersPublic $2,500–6,000 for foreigners / private $8,000–15,000
Rural landEffectively noneper acre · Effectively none; leasehold flats only
Beauty of cities82/100Architecture, setting, upkeep and green space
Petrol / fuel$2.10/L≈ $7.95 per US gallon
Doctor visit$45Basic clinic visit, paid privately
Emergency room$120Uninsured visit, before treatment
Dentist$70 / $120Check-up & cleaning / one filling
Life expectancy84 yrsAt birth
Unemployment2%National rate
Remote work & digital nomadsToleratedNo nomad visa; remote work for a foreign employer on a visit pass is a grey area
🌤️ Climate
Equatorial; 30°C and humid every day, with heavier rain Nov–Jan. No seasons.
Winter · Jan27°C81°F
Spring · Apr28°C82°F
Summer · Jul28°C82°F
Autumn · Oct28°C82°F
Mean temperatures for Central.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 2,300 mm (91 in) a year.
Snow None.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationSingapore Statutes Online ↗
OverviewLaw of Singapore on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the left. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax Owner-occupied 0–32% progressive on annual value; foreigners pay 60% stamp duty on purchase.
Local & regional income tax None; national rates 0–24%.
🎓 University
Not free; heavily subsidised for citizens, international $30–45k/yr.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers Singtel, StarHub, M1, Simba.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $15/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $15 for 10 GB.
🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- No capital gains or inheritance tax
- Tech.Pass and ONE Pass for high earners
- Territorial tax: most foreign-sourced income exempt
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Singapore embassies, warnings, law and reference
US Embassy in Singapore↗All embassies and consulates in Singapore↗US State Department travel advisory↗UK FCDO travel advice↗Singapore Statutes Online↗Law of Singapore (Wikipedia)↗Singapore on Wikipedia↗Visit Singapore (official tourism board)↗World Health Organization country profile↗Numbeo cost-of-living data↗
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Visa informationTypes, step-by-step application, where to applyPassport renewalOfficial renewal links and timingLiveability scoreThe rating and what drives itSafety ratingCrime, stability and what the number meansTravel warningsState Department and UN advisories, liveRegional information & cuisineWhere to live and what you'll eatCommunity & meetupsFinding your people
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
FlightsGateways, routes and fares for your research tripHotels & accommodationWhere to stay while you scout, with videoRental propertiesNeighbourhoods, prices and how renting worksFurnishings & home setupFurniture, appliances, utilities and internetMoving & shippingGetting your life across the oceanRetirementVisas, costs and where retirees settle
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Airport taxis & transfersOfficial cabs, apps, rail links and faresTransportationGetting around, driving and licencesTrains, buses & ticketsIntercity travel and where to bookSchoolsInternational, bilingual and local optionsChild care & nanniesNurseries, nannies, au pairs and costsUniversitiesDegrees, fees and student visasPets: vets, boarding & relocationBringing animals, finding a vet and careLanguage classesLearning before and after you landBest restaurantsWhere locals and expats actually eatHospitals & healthcare accessHow to see a doctor, hospitals, insuranceBanking & money transferAccounts, transfers and currencyTax & legal helpResidency, treaties and who to hireJobs boardRoles open to foreigners, updated weeklyCoworking & remote workWork rights, spaces and freelancing
Rated & officialPartners in three tiersOne labelled partner
Life in Singapore faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
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Interested in where astrology says you should live?Click here for more info on astrocartography and Singapore.
Click here →🕊️ Religious servicesChurches, mosques, synagogues, temples and more🧘 Wellness & spiritualityYoga, retreats, meditation, spas and practitioners🛍️ Retail recommendationsWhere to shop for clothes, tech, homeware and gifts🧺 Groceries & marketsSupermarkets, local markets and what things cost🥾 Recreation & tour guidesOutdoors, sport, day trips and licensed guides📱 Phone & eSIMCarriers, eSIMs, plans and what they cost⛴️ Boats & ferriesFerry routes, marinas, boat rental and ownership🏖️ Beaches, lakes & riversSwimming, water quality and the best spots🚗 Vehicles & driving licenceRent or buy a car, and how to get a local licence🖼️ Art galleries, museums & librariesWhat's free, what costs, and where to start Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning around
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundJobs board · Singapore
Search for jobs for free, or post a job for $100 USD.
Roles open to foreigners in Singapore: remote work you can do from Central, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Free for job seekers, always. Employers pay a flat $100 per listing, live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
Example · Senior Software Engineer (React / Node)Northwind Labs · Remote, US or EU hours
$95,000–130,000USD
Example · English Teacher (adults & business)International Language Centre · Central · in person
S$2,800–S$4,100/moSGD