Salary guide · SG
What salary do you need to live in Singapore?
Rent in Singapore ranges from S$2,350 to S$6,350/month. The salary you need depends on which tier you're aiming for. The median Singapore renter spends 26% of income on rent — within the 30% guideline.
Salary thresholds for Singapore
Afford the cheapest 10% of rentals (S$2,350/mo) spending 35% of income
Tight but possible in budget-end areas
Afford median rent (S$3,700/mo) at the recommended 30% rule
Standard benchmark for financial stability
Afford upper-tier rent (S$6,350/mo) spending 25% of income
Room for savings and lifestyle spending
How Singapore renters actually spend
Source: URA Singapore private rental index 2024 (full-year 2024: -1.9%, first annual decline since 2020; reversal from +8.7% in 2023) · 2024
Context: Singapore median income
The "comfortable" salary threshold (S$148,000/yr) is 106% above the city median income — explaining why housing costs are a pressure point for many local residents.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary to live in Singapore?
To afford budget-level accommodation (bottom 10% of the market, around S$2,350/month) without spending more than 35% of income on rent, you need roughly S$80,571/year gross.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Singapore?
Financial advisors typically recommend spending no more than 30% of gross income on rent. At Singapore's median rent of S$3,700/month, that requires a gross annual salary of at least S$148,000.
Is S$72,000/year enough to live in Singapore?
The city median income of S$72,000/year is below the S$148,000 needed to comfortably afford median rent at 30%. This is why 26% of Singapore renters spend more than the 30% guideline on housing.
Explore specific salaries in Singapore
Profession guides for Singapore