Cost of Living in Singapore as an International Student (2026) May 28, 2026 Insights Moving to a new country for your master’s degree is an exciting step. Alongside preparing for your studies, it’s also important to understand what day-to-day life in Singapore looks like and how much you can expect to spend. Consistently ranked among the world’s safest and most liveable cities, Singapore offers international students a unique combination of academic excellence, cultural diversity, convenience, and access to opportunities across Asia. Whether you’re enjoying a S$5 meal at a bustling hawker centre, travelling around the city on an efficient public transport network, or exploring neighbouring countries during semester breaks, Singapore can be an exciting and rewarding place to call home. For most international students, your average monthly costs in Singapore will fall somewhere between S$1800 and S$2,800. If you eat out often or rent a condo or studio apartment, your monthly costs can go quite a bit higher. This guide breaks down the major costs and shares practical insights to help you plan your budget with confidence. Accommodation Costs for Students in Singapore Accommodation is usually the biggest monthly expense, and it is also the area where costs vary the most. For most MSc students, the main housing options are renting a room in an HDB flat (Singapore’s public housing apartment), staying in a condo or studio apartment, or exploring other private rental arrangements. While campus accommodation is often one of the more affordable options, it is prioritised for undergraduates. Many MSc students therefore choose to live off campus for greater independence and stability. For students exploring internship or employment opportunities after graduation, off-campus accommodation can also offer greater continuity, avoiding the need to move out during a particularly busy period of exams, interviews, and project deadlines. Renting a Room in Public Housing For many MSc students, renting a room in a public housing apartment (known locally as an HDB flat) is the most practical option. It is usually more affordable than taking a private apartment on your own, with rents typically ranging from S$1,000 to S$1,500 a month depending on location, room size, and whether bills are included. Properties located near Singapore’s Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) train network and major bus routes often command higher rents, but they can significantly reduce commuting time. Renting a Private Condominium or Apartment Renting a room in a condominium or a private apartment gives you more privacy but is typically more expensive. Renting a one-bedroom unit can start from around S$2,400 a month and go well beyond that depending on the area and development. For most students, this is not the standard route. It is usually a more comfortable choice for those with a larger budget, family support, or a strong preference for privacy. Cost of Transportation for International Students Public Transport Public transport in Singapore is generally easy to budget for with fares based on distance travelled. Adult fares start from S$1.28 for shorter trips and go up to S$2.57 for longer journeys, while express bus fares can reach S$3.57. For students commuting to campus most weekdays, monthly public transport costs typically range from S$80 to S$130, depending on where you live. Taxis and Ride-Hailing Taxis and ride-hailing services are convenient, but they are noticeably more expensive than public transport. A short ride can cost around S$10 to S$20, while longer trips, late-night journeys, or peak-hour bookings can be much higher. For most students, these provide a more comfortable ride for airport trips, rainy days, or late nights rather than daily commuting. Cost of Essential Expenses for International Students Rent and food often get most of the attention, but there are also other essential monthly costs to factor into your budget. Utilities If you rent a room in an HDB flat or condo, utilities may be included in the rent or split separately among housemates, so it is worth checking before you sign. If paid separately, a student’s share usually comes to around S$30 to S$60 a month, with air-conditioning being the main factor that affects the bill. Mobile Phone Plans Most international students get a local SIM-only plan after arriving. A basic plan with enough data for daily use usually costs around S$15 to S$30 a month. Tip: Since Wi-Fi is widely available on campus and in many public places, students can usually save money by choosing a basic mobile plan instead of a more expensive one. Internet Internet is often included in university accommodation and many private room rentals. If it is not, a home broadband plan typically costs around S$30 to S60 a month. Cost of Entertainment and Leisure for International Students Food: One of the Best Parts of Living in Singapore For many international students, food quickly becomes one of the highlights of living in Singapore. As a multicultural city, Singapore offers an incredible variety of cuisines influenced by Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, and international traditions. Students can also easily find Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern, European, Western, and Southeast Asian dining options throughout the city. One of Singapore’s unique strengths is its hawker centres; large open-air food complexes offering high-quality meals at affordable prices. Popular local dishes such as chicken rice, nasi lemak, prata, laksa, satay, and noodle dishes can often be enjoyed for between S$4 and S$8 per meal, making it possible to eat well without stretching your budget. Students who primarily eat at hawker centres, food courts, or prepare some meals at home typically spend around S$250 to S$350 per month on food, while those who dine out more frequently may spend between S$350 and S$500 per month. Restaurant dining is naturally more expensive, with meals often starting from around S$15 per person, while coffee, specialty drinks, and bubble tea typically range from S$5 to S$9. Overall, students who regularly dine out may wish to budget an additional S$100 to S$400 per month depending on their lifestyle and preferences. Entertainment There is plenty to do in Singapore, and it helps to set aside a small budget for it. Students on a tighter budget may spend around S$20 to S$40 per month, while a more typical student lifestyle may involve spending S$40 to S$60 per month on movies, social activities, events, and leisure pursuits. Fitness and Sports Students can save quite a bit by making use of campus sports and recreation facilities before signing up for a private gym. If you prefer a commercial gym, prices vary widely, but memberships often start from around S$80 a month and can go much higher. Budget options like Singapore’s public sports facilities are much cheaper, with passes starting from S$15 a month off-peak, S$30 a month peak, or S$300 annually for adult access. Personal Care and Shopping Haircuts can range from around S$10 to S$25 at simpler neighbourhood salons and higher at more premium places. As a general guide, students may want to set aside around S$20 to S$40 a month on a tighter budget, and S$40 to S$80 for more regular spending in this category. This includes everyday spending such as haircuts, toiletries, skincare, and occasional clothes shopping. Overseas Travel: Exploring Asia from Singapore One of the often-overlooked benefits of studying in Singapore is its location at the heart of Asia. Singapore serves as a major regional travel hub, making it easy to explore destinations such as Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and many other parts of Asia during semester breaks. Students frequently take advantage of these opportunities to experience different cultures, expand their global perspectives, and create lasting memories alongside their studies. What to Budget for Your First Month in Singapore While the rest of this guide focuses on regular monthly expenses, it is worth noting that your first month in Singapore will usually be more expensive than the months that follow. Here are a few one-off costs to help you better plan for your arrival in Singapore Rental Deposits and Agent Fees If you rent accommodation off campus, landlords commonly require a security deposit when the tenancy agreement is signed. The standard practice is typically: One month’s rent for a one-year lease Two months’ rent for a two-year lease If you use an agent, there may also be an additional fee on top. For a room that rents at S$800 a month, that means setting aside around S$800 to S$1,600 for the deposit alone, or S$1,600 to S$2,400 if you include the first month’s rent. Setting Up Your Room and Household Basics You will need a few essentials such as bedding, towels, hangers, extension plugs, kitchen items, and cleaning supplies. A reasonable estimate for these initial purchases is around S$150 to S$300. Tip: Students looking to save can check platforms like Carousell or Facebook Marketplace for second-hand items. Groceries and Initial Stocking Up The first grocery trip is often larger than usual because it includes basics such as rice, oil, sauces, toiletries, snacks, and cleaning products. A reasonable estimate is around S$80 to S$150. Average Monthly Budget Breakdown for International Students in Singapore The table below brings the main recurring costs together and shows how monthly spending can vary depending on lifestyle and accommodation choice. Category Budget Student Lifestyle Typical Student Lifestyle More Comfortable Lifestyle Accommodation S$500–$800 S$1,000–$1,500 S$2,400–$3,500 Food S$250–$350 S$350–500 S$500–$700 Transportation S$80–130 S$100–180 S$150–$250 Utilities S$30–$60 S$30–$60 S$40–$80 Mobile Phone Plan S$15–$30 S$15–$30 S$20–$40 Internet S$0–$20 S$20–$40 S$30–$60 Dining Out S$100–$200 S$200–$300 S$300–400 Entertainment S$20–$40 S$40–$60 S$40–$80 Fitness and Sports S$0–$15 S$15–$30 S$80–$150 Personal Care and Shopping S$20–$40 S$40–$80 S$60–$120 Estimated Monthly Total ~S$1,000–$1,700 ~S$1,800–$2,800 ~S$3,600–$5,400 Notes: Budget student lifestyle assumes renting a lower-cost room, relying mostly on hawker food or home-cooked meals, and keeping non-essential spending fairly controlled. Typical student lifestyle reflects what many students are more likely to spend, with a mid-range rental and some regular spending on dining out, entertainment, and transport. More comfortable lifestyle usually means renting a condo room or private unit, eating out more often, and spending more on convenience and lifestyle choices. These figures exclude tuition fees and also exclude one-off first-month costs such as rental deposits, initial household setup, and grocery stock-up. Most NUS Business School MSc students who rent a room in shared accommodation and maintain a moderate lifestyle typically fall within the S$1,800–S$2,800 range. Planning Your Budget as an International Student in Singapore Moving abroad for your master’s degree is a significant investment in your future. While Singapore may not be the lowest-cost study destination in Asia, many students find that its safety, quality of life, multicultural environment, career opportunities, and global connectivity offer exceptional value. With thoughtful planning and a realistic budget, international students can enjoy a rewarding academic experience while making the most of everything Singapore has to offer. At NUS Business School, international students can choose from a range of MSc programmes across different disciplines, with each offering a different academic focus and career pathway. If you are exploring your options, you can learn more about the available MSc programmes at NUS Business School and find the one that best fits your goals.
