What is a 'good' salary in Singapore?

ohmz52 · Post by **ohmz52** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 1:50 am

Hey

I was just wondering what a 'good' salary is living in Singapore.

By good, I mean something to comfortably live off for one person, assuming that rental costs have already been accounted for.

Thanks in advance

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 8:33 am

That really depends on your lifestyle. Do you just want to buy some nice stuff (nothing ridiculous), go partying multiple times a week, and not worry about savings? $5k/month if your rent is covered should be fine.

Are you planning to be responsible, not party so much, and also try to start saving for your future? Double it.

beppi · Post by **beppi** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 4:48 pm

ohmz52 wrote:By good, I mean something to comfortably live off for one person, assuming that rental costs have already been accounted for.

The definition of "comfortable" varies widely, and so do monthly expenses for it:
Some comfortably eat at a hawker centre (S$5/person, incl. soft drink), others want a high class restaurant (S$200/person, incl. wine).
Some take the MRT to work (S$1.20), others take a taxi (S$12) or even want to own a car (S$1500/month).
Some spend the weekend at the Zoo (S$20), others fly to Bali (S$1000).
Thus, you'll need in the range of S$500-S$10000/month to live "comfortably".

ohmz52 · Post by **ohmz52** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 5:48 pm

Thanks guys,

beppi I don't intend to live that comfortably, just a normal down to earth person would like to live like.
I'm not bothered about fancy restaurants or things like that but I may go occaisionally.

I just wanted to gauge an idea of the living cost over there. I'm going to be living alone and I think I'm fairly sensible-ish with money based one what you guys have very kindly pointed out, I should be ok.

zzm9980 · Post by **zzm9980** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 9:26 pm

ohmz52 wrote:Thanks guys,

beppi I don't intend to live that comfortably, just a normal down to earth person would like to live like.
I'm not bothered about fancy restaurants or things like that but I may go occaisionally.

I just wanted to gauge an idea of the living cost over there. I'm going to be living alone and I think I'm fairly sensible-ish with money based one what you guys have very kindly pointed out, I should be ok.

"beppi I don't intend to live that comfortably, just a normal down to earth person would like to live like."

Go to the Numbeo site then, because you're still being vague. 'Down to earth' can mean a lot of things still. We don't know if you're from London, Shanghai, Toledo, or Pakistan. There's a huge of different expectations there.

beppi · Post by **beppi** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 9:32 pm

Just one more of the many posts from the same mold:
"I don't know what to expect, but please tell me how much it will cost!"

ohmz52 · Post by **ohmz52** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 9:35 pm

Sorry for being vague.

I'm from London, most of my money currently goes on cars, food, gym and clothes. I just wanted to have a rough idea of what was an ok-ish salary.

By down to earth I meant that i don't impulsively throw away my money on anything that I want.

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 9:49 pm

How old are you
What do you earn
Do you own or rent
What's your UK home like
How long are you here for
Is it you alone, or with family
Do you socialise with mates/go drinking back home
Do you save from your earnings back home

and so on.
All the above might be considered starting points.

But if you want to keep it simple, look at the property ads above, choose a suitable place, then take your salary and double it. Add extras like housing, schooling, home leave, freight, temp accomodation etc, on top.

beppi · Post by **beppi** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 9:50 pm

Well, then: Cars and gym are more expensive than in London (cars vastly so), clothes cost about the same, and food is cheaper in Singapore.
Does that help?

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 9:52 pm

Yes agree re: cars, that is a significant consideration.

beppi · Post by **beppi** » Mon, 16 Dec 2013 10:06 pm

According to Numbeo, cars in Singapore cost 4.23 X as much as in London, gyms cost 18% more, groceries 5% less, restaurants 42% less and clothes cost almost the same.
You don't need a car in Singapore, nor would you enjoy driving there.

PrimroseHill · Post by **PrimroseHill** » Tue, 17 Dec 2013 10:08 am

Cost of buying a car in SG cost a small fortune. Cost of running a car and driving it in London cost a small fortune. Congestion charge. Parking limited to 4hours some limited to 2hours. Parking by sms in Marylebone drives me insane. Cost of parking for 1 hour in central london easily cost GBP20.
Then if you parked slightly outside or on the lines, you get a fine slapped on it. Then you are towed away in less than half hour and that in itself can be a rather expensive day out.
You need to have a PhD in order to figure out the parking zones/resident permit/24hour resident parking etc in central london.
Rent wise - a decent area in zones 1/2 easily cost GBP2000-3000k per month, for a 2bed. Council tax is payable by the tenant. Tenants do not pay property tax here in SG.
Rental properties here are of a worse standard compared to London and tenants have no rights.
Gyms, some companies, subsidies gym fees like mine here and in London. However, majority gyms here are madness. Not gym etiquette at all.

jetslander · Post by **jetslander** » Mon, 23 Dec 2013 7:00 pm

It depends on your level of education and work experience.
But I'd say... you should use your standard of living as a guide.

For example if you have how many kids, expenses, loans, commitments, etc.

For me it's at least $5k to live comfortably with a small family

starspangledbanner · Post by **starspangledbanner** » Fri, 17 Jan 2014 9:53 pm

i definitely need at least $15k a month for my lavish lifestyle yeahhh booooomm!!

JR8 · Post by **JR8** » Fri, 17 Jan 2014 10:15 pm

So-desu?

How many birds a night is that?

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What is a 'good' salary in Singapore?

What is a 'good' salary in Singapore?

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