Aussie woman ditches Australia for Singapore, reveals costs

Aussies are choosing another option over Sydney’s full on prices.

Australians are ditching their home country in search of higher incomes and work opportunities, while also escaping the cost of living and housing crisis.

Australian salaries have not kept pace with the steep rise of housing and living costs over the last five years, causing many Aussies to search elsewhere to make ends meet.

Singapore has become home to an estimated 25,000 Australian expats, many of whom move for the career opportunities and the vibrant, exciting lifestyle.

Vy Pham, 48, relocated to Singapore from Sydney in 2024 for a career opportunity she couldn’t say no to.

“I always wanted to live and work in another country,” Ms Pham said.

Vy Pham, an Australian who made the move to Singapore.

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“I relocated to Singapore for work after taking on a regional role, it quickly became clear that being closer to the team and the region’s business hub made sense.

“After months of frequent travel from Australia, moving here in 2024 felt like the natural next step.”

For Ms Pham cost wasn’t the biggest driver to move overseas, but now she has noticed the stark comparison to Sydney’s costly prices thanks to generous tax breaks on offer in Singapore.

“I was struck by how much higher Sydney’s living expenses are, and how wages don’t keep up the same way,” she said.

Vy Pham in Singapore. Photo: Supplied.

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Benefits of Singapore

After living there for more than a year now, Ms Pham loved the lifestyle in Singapore.

“What I love most about Singapore is its remarkable connectivity. A weekend trip to nearby Southeast Asian destinations feels effortless with Vietnam, Malaysia, or Indonesia being just a short flight away, often under two hours,” she said.

“Singapore’s efficiency also stands out. The city is not only a global business hub but a place where you can balance work with a vibrant social scene and plenty of family-friendly activities.

“And safety adds another dimension to living here. The city-state is known for its low crime rates and well-maintained public spaces, supported by comprehensive security measures that help residents feel secure as they go about daily life.”

She said the city also felt similar to Sydney, making it an easy transition.

“For many Australians considering a move, Singapore feels familiar — there’s a large, welcoming expat community and English is widely spoken”

Ms Pham still owns her home in Sydney’s Surry Hills – a suburb which she lived in for 20 years – but has warned other expats about still owning a property while living and working overseas long term.

“If you move overseas and sell your home while you’re no longer a tax resident, you could face a hefty capital gains tax bill,” she said.

“That’s because you might lose out on exemptions available to residents, so it’s worth getting advice before you relocate.”

Picking fruit and vegetables in Pakenham Upper in Victoria – a local staple that Singapore largely imports. Photos: Supplied

Singapore housing costs

For a one-bedroom apartment in Singapore, it was similar prices to Sydney, which Ms Pham said it would cost around $2,900-$4,600 (SGD $2500-$4,000) per month in rent.

Purchasing a home as a non-Singaporean citizen was expensive.

“Unless they hold Singaporean, Swiss or US citizenship, (non-citizens) face hefty taxes that can add around 60 per cent to the purchase price, a major deterrent for many expats. Prices themselves are also significantly steeper: you’ll generally pay well over double per square metre in Singapore compared with Sydney.

“On top of that, living space in Singapore homes tends to be smaller, so buyers are paying a premium for location and convenience rather than square footage.”

Alcohol can add a huge tax of about 25 per cent. Photos: Supplied

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Food prices

Dining out, she said prices sat somewhere between Australian prices.

“Often cheaper in casual meals, but considerably pricier when you move into mid- and high-end dining. The city-state is famous for its hawker centres, where a meal without alcohol typically costs about $5-$8,” she said.

“However, as you step up to nicer dining, prices rise quickly, and alcohol adds another layer of cost, often about 25 per cent higher due to duty and taxes.”

She said in Singapore there were also “hidden charges” that Aussies weren’t accustomed to.

“A bill at a restaurant usually adds 9 per cent GST (Goods and Services Tax) and a service charge of around 10 per cent. These are not shown in the menu price, so the final total can be noticeably higher than the listed price,” she said.

Due to Singapore’s small land size, much of their food is imported meaning groceries can be expensive, around $680 on average per month (SGD 600), according to Ms Pham.

Salaries and tax breaks

Despite supermarket costs being more than Australia, Ms Pham said the best part of Singapore was the salary and tax break.

“For the highest income bracket you are looking at 15 per cent in Singapore for a $200k salary compared to 45 per cent in Australia,” she said.

“Salaries for expats are generally higher in Singapore particularly in finance which is the industry I work in and because of the low income tax rate, it works out really well.”

Ms Pham said there hasn’t been any challenges that have stood out about living in Singapore, except for the tropical climate all year round, and the only downside being the transient nature of expat life.

Vy Pham talking at a function at Sydney Stock Exchange. Ms Pham moved to Singapore for a work opportunity. Photos: Supplied

“The bigger reality for many residents is the constant churn of friendships among expats. Because most social circles form with people who are here on working visas, relationships can feel temporary.

“Expats typically stay for a minimum of about two years, since visa renewals and rental contracts are often tied to that time frame. When it’s time to renew, a natural decision point emerges: renew, relocate to another country, or head home.

“I’ve met expats who’ve called Singapore home for 6 to 16 years, but I’ve also seen close friends move away after just a year or so. It creates a steady, almost revolving door of acquaintances, one of those unique realities of expatriate life in this city.”

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