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Quality & Cost of Living

Singapore is one of the best places to live, with a high standard of living and quality of life.

Quality of Life

According to the Mercer 2011 Quality of Living Survey, Singapore topped the list for quality of life in Asia. A survey by human resources consultancy ECA International in 2010 comparing 254 international locations found that Asian expatriates ranked Singapore as their preferred city to live in.

What makes Singapore one of the most vibrant and liveable cities in the world? It has to be its quality of life, easy regional access, low crime rates, political stability, high standards of infrastructure and healthcare, as well as a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Consumer Price Index

Based on the March 2011 survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Singapore is ranked 10th worldwide in terms of cost of living and 3rd in Asia, behind Tokyo and Osaka . 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 Department of Statistics Singapore’s website.

Living Costs

The cost of living in Singapore is generally low. Accommodation and cars make up the bulk of 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.

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