Singapore
Cost of living, salaries, tax rates & quality of life
Quick Facts
Key stats and figures for Singapore
Capital
Singapore
Languages
English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
Currency
Singapore Dollar (SGD)
Cost of Living
30% above US
Avg. Salary
$ 64k/yr
Timezone
UTC+8
Population
6 million
Expats
2.8 million
Quality of Life
Based on Numbeo Quality of Life Index
Cost of Living & Salary Benchmarks
Compare expenses and earning potential across major cities
| City | Rent | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore Central | SGD 3,485 | SGD 4,267 |
| Singapore East | SGD 2,800 | SGD 3,510 |
| Singapore West | SGD 2,600 | SGD 3,285 |
Rent based on 1-bedroom apartment in city center. All values in SGD/month.
Tax Rates
Key tax information for Singapore
Personal Income Tax
0%-24%
Corporate Tax
17%
Capital Gains Tax
0% (no capital gains tax)
VAT / Sales Tax
9% GST
Good to Know
Territorial tax system - foreign-sourced income generally not taxed
Language & Culture
What to expect when living in Singapore
Official Languages
English Proficiency
HighLanguage Requirements
English is the working language
Good to Know
Multicultural society; English widely used in business
Popular Visa Pathways to Singapore
SingaporeEP — Employment Pass (EP)
The Employment Pass is Singapore's primary work visa for foreign professionals, managers, executives, and technicians with a job offer from a Singapore-registered employer. Issued by the Ministry of Manpower, candidates must earn at least SGD 5,600 a month, rising with age to SGD 10,700 by mid-40s. Employers file via EP eService for around SGD 360 (SGD 105 application plus SGD 225 issuance), processed in 10 business days; overseas firms without a Singapore office sponsor through a local agent and take up to 6 weeks. The pass runs up to 2 years initially and 3 years on renewal, supports family via Dependant's Pass, and offers a PR pathway. Candidates must also score 40 on COMPASS. This visa is ideal for foreign PMETs with a Singapore job offer who meet the salary and COMPASS thresholds and want a renewable work pass with a PR pathway.
SingaporeOverseas Networks & Expertise Pass
The Overseas Networks & Expertise (ONE) Pass is a Singapore work pass from the Ministry of Manpower for top global talent. Candidates qualify with a fixed monthly salary of at least SGD 30,000, or by demonstrating outstanding achievements in arts and culture, sports, science, technology, academia, or research with an established company. Valid for up to 5 years and renewable, it costs SGD 330 (SGD 105 application + SGD 225 issuance) and MOM typically assesses applications within 4 weeks. The pass is not tied to one employer: holders may concurrently start, operate, and work for multiple companies. Spouses may work on a Letter of Consent and qualifying family members can join on Dependant's Pass or LTVP. This visa is ideal for elite executives, founders, and globally recognised specialists with multi-company interests seeking long-term, employer-agnostic residency in Singapore.
SingaporeEntrePass
The EntrePass is a Singapore work pass from the Ministry of Manpower with Enterprise Singapore for foreign entrepreneurs starting a venture-backed or innovation-driven business. It targets serial founders, investors and innovators building scalable companies, not passive owners or traditional small businesses. Applicants self-sponsor by registering a private limited company with ACRA, holding 30%+ equity, and meeting one innovation criterion (SGD 100,000+ funding, recognised incubator, registered IP, research collaboration, or a prior founded-and-sold venture). Fees are SGD 105 plus SGD 225 on issuance, processed within 6 weeks. Valid 1 year, renewable on hiring/spend benchmarks, with a PR pathway. This visa is ideal for early-stage tech founders with venture funding, IP, or incubator support who want to build a Singapore-incorporated company without an employer sponsor.
Before You Go
What You Should Know About Singapore
Essential reading for anyone considering the move
What Is a Transit Visa? Rules by Country
A transit visa lets you pass through a country on your way to another one — it is not a tourist visa and does not let you stay. Here is what it actually covers, when you need one, and how the rules differ across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, the Schengen Area, Japan and Singapore.
The Global Race for AI Talent: Inside the New Wave of Specialist Tech Visas
The UK, France, Singapore, and the US have each rolled out or expanded visa tracks specifically aimed at AI researchers and engineers, as governments compete directly for a narrow pool of specialist talent.
Policy details may be out of date
The Borderless Economy: How Global Talent Mobility Is Reshaping Work, Wealth, and Where We Live
The borderless economy is not a future prediction - it is the operating system of modern work. We explore how the convergence of remote work, talent shortages, and competitive visa policy is dissolving the link between where you live and what you earn.
Data Sources
Last updated: July 2026
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Cost of living, salary, and quality of life data are estimates based on third-party sources and may vary. Always verify current information with official government sources before making immigration decisions.