Salary guide · SG
Software Engineer salary in Singapore: can you afford rent?
A Software Engineer in Singapore typically earns S$86,000–S$230,000/year, with a median around S$137,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is S$3,700/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Software Engineer salary of S$137,000/year, spending on median Singapore rent (S$3,700/mo) would take up 32% of gross income. That's above the 30% guideline but not uncommon — a manageable situation.
Software Engineer salary range in Singapore
S$86,000
Entry level
lower quartile
S$137,000
Typical
median estimate
S$230,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Singapore.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?
Rent landscape in Singapore
S$2,350
Budget
cheapest 10%
S$3,700
Median
most common
S$6,350
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. URA Singapore private rental index 2024 (full-year 2024: -1.9%, first annual decline since 2020; reversal from +8.7% in 2023) · 2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Software Engineer earn in Singapore?
A Software Engineer in Singapore typically earns between S$86,000 and S$230,000/year, with a median around S$137,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Software Engineer afford to live in Singapore?
At a typical Software Engineer salary of S$137,000/year, median Singapore rent (S$3,700/month) takes up 32% of gross income — above the 30% guideline but not unusual in this market. Budget options in Singapore start around S$2,350/month.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in Singapore?
On a median Software Engineer salary of S$137,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is S$3,425/month. Compared to Singapore's median rent of S$3,700/month, this means some budget trade-offs will be necessary — look at areas below the city median.
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