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What your rent actually sits inside as an expat: the housing costs to budget for
The housing costs expats forget to budget for in Singapore: deposits, stamp duty, utilities, aircon servicing and move-out costs.
Singapore is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world. For renters, most of that sits in one number, the rent. But the rest is where the surprises are.
Housing is the largest monthly expense for most expats. This guide covers the housing costs we see expats forget to budget for, and when each one lands. It doesn't cover food, healthcare, schooling or tax, which depend on your own circumstances.
The rent itself
Rent varies by location, property type and unit size, and private condominiums are the most common option. As a general reference for 2026:
One-bedroom condos: SGD 3,000 to 5,000 per month
Two-bedroom condos: SGD 4,500 to 7,000 per month
Family-sized units: SGD 6,500 and above
Location makes the biggest difference. The two things that move it most are how close you are to the CBD, and how close you are to an MRT station.
At the start
These land before or soon after you move in:
Security deposit. Typically one month of rent per year of lease, returned at the end if the flat is handed back in the condition your lease requires.
First month's rent.
Stamp duty. For a lease of four years or less, 0.4% of the total rent for the whole lease period. By convention the tenant pays, but your agreement can say otherwise.
Agent fees, if applicable.
A utilities deposit. Billed with your first bill, and usually higher for foreigners than for citizens.
Every month
Rent usually excludes the following, so budget for them separately:
Utilities. Electricity, water and piped gas on one SP Group account. Aircon use has a big effect on the electricity bill.
Internet and mobile. Reasonably priced and reliable, but check contract lengths, because many internet plans lock you in for 24 months.
Aircon servicing. Most leases make it the tenant's cost, usually every three months, and the receipts matter if a major part fails.
At the end
The costs people forget are the ones at move-out: cleaning, aircon servicing or a chemical wash, repairs and repainting, if your lease requires them. Budget for them from the start, because a lease that asks for all four can add up to a real figure.
If you leave early, your lease decides the cost, including any agent commission you may need to reimburse under the diplomatic clause.
The short version
Budget for the rent, the upfront costs, the monthly extras and the move-out costs. The first is the number everyone checks. The others are the ones that surprise people.
What we do. We lay out the full housing cost with you at the start, including the move-out costs, so the number you agree to is the number you actually pay.
For a full housing picture before you commit, see how we work on the Doors page, from the search through to the move-out inspection.
Doors by The Yellow Door helps expats find and settle into homes in Singapore, from the search through to the move-out inspection. This article is general information and not legal advice. Rules and rates change, so check the current position with IRAS and the relevant authority before you act.
