Singapore is expensive. From rental prices to food in restaurants, childcare, and more…we all know it. Recently, Singapore was crowned as the top city in Asia for expats and the third best city worldwide for expats to live in and work. And it has us wondering how people can survive here when the cost of living is so high? But excellently, an online learning platform uncovered the cheapest areas to live in Singapore for those on a tight budget. There are some affordable living options, mainly in the northeast region, where you can reduce your costs. Find out below.
Cheapest areas – Singapore
Online learning platform – Preply – unveiled the cheapest areas to live in Singapore as an expat in a new research report this year. The company investigated Singapore’s most affordable and expensive areas to live based on renting a one-bedroom condo which can be a great indicator for single people relocating to the city or Singaporeans wanting to live alone.
These are the five cheapest areas to live in Singapore:
1. Ang Mo Kio (percentage of income: 23%)
2. Sembawang (27%)
3. Yishun (28%)
4. Punggol (29%)
5. Choa Chu Kang (30%)
In first place, Ang Mo Kio is the cheapest place to live for a single person in Singapore. The average monthly rental cost for a one-bedroom condo is $1,268. This means that only an average of 23% of income of $5,499 is used on rent.
Meanwhile, Sembawang requires an average of 27% of income based on a salary of $2,329 per month. Yishun took third place on the list with 28% of income used for rent. Additionally, Punggol in forth place needs an average of 29% on rent and Choa Chu Kang requires at least 30% of monthly income on rent.
On the other hand, the report found that places such as Tao Payoh, Bukit Merah, and Outram are the most expensive areas to rent households in Singapore. Find out more about the report.
The Global Expat Index 2024
These findings are part of a wider study in which Preply ranked 50 of best destinations globally to live and work. The Global Expat Index 2024 placed Singapore as first in Asia and third worldwide, behind Tallinn in Estonia and Bern in Switzerland, based on 10 relocation metrics including average monthly cost of living, safety, salary, and more. Find out more or learn about the world’s top 10 cities to live and work.
Certainly, these cheapest areas to rent findings are a perfect indicator for workers, students, and those who want to live alone in Singapore.
SEE MORE: The Best Things To Do Alone In Singapore