Working in Singapore worth it after high cost of living?

Question

Got a job offer in Singapore, salary sounds a lot in SGD but heard cost of living damn high, rent especially. After everything, is it actually worth crossing over vs staying KL? Those who worked there, real talk please.

Kakak Bank Suhaila · Accepted Answer

Worked in SG for years, real talk. The maths only works if you're disciplined and ideally can save aggressively. Big factors: (1) The exchange rate is the main win, SGD to MYR means even after high SG costs, what you save converts to a lot back home, that's why people do it. (2) Rent is brutal, a room easily eats a big chunk, so many Malaysians either share, or stay in JB and commute across the Causeway daily (the jam is real but saves a lot). (3) Daily costs (food, transport) higher than KL but manageable if you eat at hawker/kopitiam and use public transport, which is excellent there. (4) The saving potential is real IF you don't inflate your lifestyle, I've seen people earn big and save nothing. Non-money factors: distance from family, work culture can be intense, and you're on a work pass (EP/SP) tied to your employer. My honest take: worth it for a focused few years to build savings, especially if single, but have a plan for what the money is for. Confirm current pass eligibility and tax rules on the official MOM/IRAS sites, they change.

Single Mum Rina · Answer

I commute from JB daily. Wake up gila early to beat the Causeway jam but I save so much on rent by staying Malaysia side and earning SGD. Trade-off is the commute drains you, some days 2 hours each way when jam teruk. If you can tahan that, the savings are massive. If you stay in SG proper, share a flat with other Malaysians to cut rent, jangan rent alone unless your package is high. Also open a multi-currency account to remit back smartly and watch the exchange rate. Worth it for me because I'm saving for a house here.

Nurse Kak Long Hamidah · Answer

Depends on your life stage and the actual package, not just the headline salary. Compare take-home after CPF (if applicable to your pass), rent, and living costs, then convert the savings, not the gross. For a single person early career, SG can be a great launchpad. For someone with family and roots in KL, the intangibles (kids schooling, being near parents) may outweigh the money. Also your pass is employer-tied, so job security matters more there. Go in with a clear goal and time frame, e.g. save X in Y years, otherwise the high cost quietly eats the advantage.

Working in Singapore worth it after high cost of living?

3 contributors answered

Answer this

Related questions

Cheapest and safest way to send money back to Malaysia from overseas?

Thinking of returning to Malaysia after years abroad, will I regret the pay cut?