How Much Does It Really Cost to Live in Singapore as a Filipino?

Before you move to Singapore — or before you sign a new room or take a new job — it helps to know what the real monthly cost looks like. Not the "cost of living index" number from some global website, but the day-to-day numbers for how Filipinos here actually spend.

Note upfront: all numbers below are ranges for context, not quotes. Prices change. Before committing to anything big, verify current costs on official or retailer sites, and cross-check with people already living here.

Rent — the biggest single line

Rent in Singapore is usually the largest monthly expense. Ranges depend heavily on the type of accommodation and location:

• A room in an HDB flat in a heartland area: typically the most affordable option for a single person.
• A common room in an HDB in a central area (Orchard, Tiong Bahru, Novena): noticeably higher.
• A master bedroom with its own toilet: higher than a common room.
• A shared room (two or three people in the same room): lower, but comes with tighter personal space.
• A whole HDB flat or condo unit: highest, usually only worth it for couples or families.
• A co-living room: varies widely — higher than a normal room but often includes utilities, Wi-Fi, and cleaning.

Key points:

• The ethnic quota and HDB rental rules may affect availability for certain passes. Confirm with hdb.gov.sg.
• Some rooms add utilities on top of rent; others include them. Always ask before signing.
• A deposit of one month’s rent is standard for a one-year lease.

Check our what to check before renting a room in Singapore before you sign anything.

Food — from very cheap to very expensive

Food cost ranges widely depending on how you eat.

Hawker-based eating: Most cost-efficient. A regular Filipino who eats hawker twice a day and cooks some meals at home has a very manageable food budget.

Hawker + occasional mall or café: Still reasonable but noticeably higher.

Mostly food delivery and mall meals: Easily doubles or triples the hawker-based budget, with zero nutritional upgrade.

Groceries from FairPrice, Sheng Siong, or wet markets are affordable if you have a list and cook in batches. Filipino-specific items (bagoong, longganisa, dried fish) are often cheaper at wet markets or Filipino grocery shops in Lucky Plaza than at mainstream supermarkets.

For pagtitipid strategies, see pagtitipid tips for Filipinos in Singapore.

Transport

Most Filipinos rely on MRT and buses. An EZ-Link or SimplyGo card covers this. Using it regularly for commuting and errands is far cheaper than Grab.

Monthly concession passes exist for adults and may make sense depending on routine. Check current pricing and eligibility on lta.gov.sg.

Grab and taxis are for genuinely worth-it situations (late shifts, heavy groceries, sickness). Daily Grab use will visibly dent your budget.

Phone and internet

SIM-only plans in Singapore are affordable, with generous data. Home internet is usually only an extra cost if you have your own flat — in shared rooms it’s often included in rent or split between housemates.

Healthcare

Even with employer insurance (if your pass type requires it), factor in some health spend: GP visits, medicines, occasional specialist care, and any deductibles. Polyclinics are the cheapest route for most routine issues. Info on moh.gov.sg and healthhub.sg.

Remittance

Remittance is a major line for many OFWs — anywhere from a small fixed monthly amount to the majority of a pay cheque depending on family needs. Plan this as a specific budget item, not a leftover. See how to send money to the Philippines with lower fees.

Insurance and savings

On top of healthcare, think about:

• Income protection / personal accident insurance (especially if you’re the sole breadwinner).
• Life insurance with a Philippine-side beneficiary.
• An emergency fund of at least 3 months of rent + essentials.
• Longer-term savings beyond remittance.

Savings is usually what gets skipped in the first 1–2 years. Automating a transfer on salary day is the simplest way to fix this.

Hidden costs people forget

Deposits and move-in costs. First-month rent + one-month deposit + a small stamping fee for the tenancy agreement (IRAS). See iras.gov.sg.

Work-pass related costs (if applicable). Medical exam, employer processing, and other pass-related admin. Employers typically cover most of this for new hires but verify your specific arrangement.

Personal care and clothing. Small items add up — toiletries, work clothes, haircuts.

Fitness or hobbies. Gym memberships, sports leagues, church or community fees.

Trips home. Two round-trip flights a year (Christmas, vacation) easily become one of your biggest yearly costs. Book early.

Baggage overage. Often forgotten until you’re at the airport. Our baggage rules by airline guide helps plan ahead.

What a "comfortable" life costs

For a single Filipino in Singapore, a comfortable but sensible life without drama often looks like: a decent room in a walkable area, hawker-leaning eating, an EZ-Link + occasional Grab, a small travel fund, and a consistent monthly remittance that your family can plan around.

If your current salary makes that hard, the leverage points in order are: (1) rent, (2) food delivery frequency, (3) transport habit, (4) subscriptions, (5) lifestyle and mall impulse buys. Fixing rent first has the biggest impact.

Final note

Singapore can be as expensive as you let it be. Many Filipinos here live well and save well on the same pay cheque that others complain isn’t enough — the difference is almost always housing and food choices. Build a plan around actual numbers, not assumptions. Verify current rates on official sites before making big commitments.

Last reviewed April 2026. Costs across housing, food, transport, and government services change — always check official sources (HDB, LTA, IRAS, MOM, MOH) and current supermarket or provider pricing before planning a move or big change.