Studying in Singapore as an international student requires careful budgeting, with monthly costs depending largely on your lifestyle and accommodation choice.
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.
To make things easier to plan for, this guide breaks the cost of living down into the expenses that matter most, from accommodation and transport to essential monthly bills, entertainment.
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, 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 searching for internships or jobs after graduation, living off campus rather than in hostels means they won’t have to deal with the stress of moving out at the end of the school term — right when exams and deadlines are piling up.
For many MSc students, renting a room in an HDB flat is the most realistic 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.
Areas closer to campus or on direct MRT and bus routes often cost more, but they can save time on the daily commute.
A private condo room, studio, or one-bedroom 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.
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.
There is also an Adult Monthly Travel Pass at S$122, which can be worth considering if you travel frequently and have a regular commute.
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 travel.
Rent and food often get most of the attention, but there are also other essential monthly costs to factor into your budget.
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.
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.
Eating out in Singapore can be affordable if you stick to hawker centres and food courts.
Restaurant dining is where you may choose to spend a little more, with meals usually starting from around S$15 per person, while coffee and bubble tea often fall in the S$5 to S$9 range.
For students who eat out regularly, this category can easily go up to around S$100 to S$400.
There is plenty to do in Singapore, and it helps to set aside a small budget for it.
A reasonable estimate for entertainment is around S$20 to S$40 a month for lighter spending, and S$40 to S$60 for a more typical student lifestyle.
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 ActiveSG 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.
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.
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
If you are renting off campus, landlords often ask for a security deposit of one to two months’ rent upfront.
The standard practice is usually one month’s rent for a one-year lease and two months’ rent for a two-year lease, paid when the tenancy agreement is signed.
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.
You will need a few essentials such as bedding, towels, hangers, extension plugs, kitchen items, and cleaning supplies.
A practical 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.
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.
The table below brings the main recurring costs together and shows how monthly spending can vary depending on lifestyle and accommodation choice.
Notes:
Studying in Singapore takes some planning, but the day-to-day cost of living is often more manageable than many students expect. The key is going in with a realistic sense of what to budget for, especially in your first month, so there are fewer surprises along the way.
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.
