Is being an expat financially worth it?

Singapore was named the world’s second most expensive city* in 2019. It has actually slipped one place on the ladder – in the five years from 2014 to 2018, it was considered the most expensive city. All of this can lead many expats to wonder if living in the little red dot is doing their bank balance any favours. There’s the international school fees to consider, after all, along with the cost of leasing or owning a car – and, of course, high rental prices. When you combine this cost of living in Singapore with the downturn of expat packages, it can often be hard for expats to get ahead financially.

But would you be better off somewhere else? Andrew Talbot from Expat Financial Planning, breaks down some numbers to see how the cost of living in Singapore really affects your savings, and if your situation would be better financially if you relocated or returned to your home country.

Comparing the cost of living in Singapore to other locations

Andrew says: “Let’s take a quick look at some expat financial numbers from around the world, using a family of four – two adults with two school-aged children – as a point of comparison. Of course, these figures are approximate, and they cover just one expat scenario; also, the monthly expenditure is subjective and could differ a lot from family to family. Yet the figures still show how Singapore’s low taxation rates and relatively high salaries can be a draw that balances out any increase in the cost of living in Singapore.”

Singapore

Combined family wage: S$250,000
Estimated taxation: $29750
Tax rate: 11.9%
Tuition: $72,000 ($36,000 per child)
Housing (monthly): $6,500
Shopping basket (monthly): $2,000

REMAINDER (annually): $58,250

London

Combined family wage: £140,000
Estimated taxation: £56,000
Tax rate: 40%
Private tuition: £32,000 (£16,000 per child)
Public tuition: £0.00
Housing (monthly): £3,200
Shopping basket (monthly): £300

REMAINDER (annually): £10,000 (private education)
REMAINDER (annually): £42,000 (public education)

Sydney

Combined family wage: A$240,000
Estimated taxation: $98,000
Tax rate: 41%
Private tuition: $50,000 ($25,000 per child)
Public tuition: $0.00
Housing (monthly): $4,500
Shopping basket (monthly): $1,200

REMAINDER (annually): $24,000 (private education)
REMAINDER (annually): $74,000 (public education)

New York

Combined family wage: US$185,000
Estimated taxation: $54,000
Tax rate: 32%
Private tuition: $30,000 ($15,000 per child)
Public tuition: $0.00
Housing (monthly): $6,000
Shopping basket (monthly): $500

REMAINDER (annually): $23,000 (private education)
REMAINDER (annually): $53,000 (public education)

^* The Economist Intelligence Unit
Note: All figures are estimates, and for one family scenario only

 A final word

“After crunching the numbers, you can see that Singapore does offer value for money in some categories – and a good opportunity for expats to save their pennies,” says Andrew. “Naturally, the cost of living in Singapore is dependent on your lifestyle and financial choices; how many children you have, what schools they attend, and whether you have chosen to own and operate a car, or use public transportation. While the draw to get back to ageing parents and family ties may be strong, make sure you get a full picture of any potential financial impact before planning a move.”

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Get more advice on Living in Singapore:

What factors can affect your return on investments?
The expat’s guide to where to live in Singapore

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