Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world to rent in. But it doesn't have to drain your savings. Here's how smart expats are cutting their housing costs by 60% — without sacrificing quality.
Singapore consistently ranks among the top 5 most expensive cities globally for housing. Rent alone consumes 30–40% of a typical expat's monthly income. And that's before you factor in the hidden costs: agent fees (half to one month's rent), two months of security deposit, furniture, and the risk of being locked into a 2-year lease in a country where your employment contract might not last that long.
For a single professional or couple arriving on an Employment Pass or S Pass, the math can be sobering. Here's what the Singapore rental market actually looks like in 2026:
On top of rent, most landlords require a one-month security deposit, and if you use a property agent, expect to pay half a month's rent as commission. That's thousands of dollars spent before you've even unpacked. And if your job situation changes 6 months in? Breaking a 2-year lease means forfeiting your deposit — sometimes more.
Across the world — from London and New York to Sydney and Tokyo — shared living has become the rational housing choice for urban professionals. It's not about cutting corners. It's about paying for what you actually use and not subsidising empty rooms, unused furniture, and agent margins.
Singapore's coliving market has matured significantly. Today, coliving doesn't mean a cramped hostel bed or a student dorm. It means a private, furnished room in a condominium — with full access to the pool, gym, BBQ pit, function rooms, 24-hour security, and a fully equipped kitchen. The same amenities you'd get in a high-end serviced apartment, without the high-end price tag.
The difference is simple: instead of renting an entire 2-bedroom apartment you don't need, you rent the room you actually live in. You share common spaces — the kitchen, the living room — with a small number of housemates. In a condo setting, this is comfortable, clean, and private.
Here's what nobody tells you before you move to Singapore: most expats don't know how long they'll stay. Your EP is tied to your employer. Contract roles are common. Restructures happen. Some expats stay 8 months, some stay 8 years — and most don't know which it'll be when they land.
Signing a 2-year lease on a S$4,000/month apartment when your job tenure is uncertain is a financial gamble. Coliving eliminates that risk entirely:
Whether you're arriving solo or as a couple, the smartest move is to not commit to a long-term apartment from overseas. You can't properly judge a neighbourhood from a property listing. Commute times, noise levels, proximity to your office, the quality of nearby amenities — these things only become clear once you're living here.
Coliving gives you a comfortable, fully set-up home base to operate from while you learn the city on your own terms.
Move into a master bedroom with an attached private bathroom in a condo. Use the first 2–3 months to explore Singapore together — visit different neighbourhoods on weekends, understand the MRT network, find your preferred grocery stores, and shortlist long-term apartments from a position of knowledge rather than urgency. When you're ready, transition to your own place with confidence.
If you're relocating with kids, the practical approach is this: one partner travels to Singapore first, settles into a coliving room, and uses those initial weeks to research schools, visit campuses, check out family-friendly neighbourhoods, and scope out the logistics that matter — school bus routes, parks, clinics, supermarkets. Once the groundwork is done, the family joins and moves directly into a long-term home that's been properly vetted.
In both cases, coliving isn't the final destination — it's the smart first step that prevents you from making a rushed, expensive decision you'll regret 3 months later.
Most expats default to a serviced apartment when they first arrive. It feels safe — furnished, flexible, hotel-like. But the cost premium is enormous. Here's how a Colivs master bedroom in a condo stacks up against a typical Singapore serviced apartment:
| Serviced Apartment | Colivs Master Bedroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Rent | S$4,000 – S$8,000 | S$1,800 – S$2,000 |
| Security Deposit | 1–2 months rent | 1 month rent |
| Agent Fee | Half month (if via agent) | No agent fee |
| Minimum Stay | 1–6 months | 3 months |
| Furnishing | Fully furnished | Fully furnished |
| Kitchen | Kitchenette (limited) | Full shared kitchen |
| Pool & Gym | Some properties | All properties (condo) |
| Private Bathroom | Yes | Yes (master bedroom) |
| Wifi & Utilities | Included | Included |
| 24-Hour Security | Yes | Yes (condo security) |
| You Save | Up to S$6,000/month |
Over a 6-month stay, that's a potential saving of S$12,000 to S$36,000. Enough to cover your family's relocation flight tickets, or a solid head start on your Singapore savings.
Colivs isn't a listing platform. We're an operator. We manage every property ourselves — from maintenance to tenant coordination. When you book with us, you're dealing directly with our team. No middlemen, no agents, no surprises.
Tell us your budget, preferred area, and move-in date. We'll send you available rooms within 24 hours — with photos, pricing, and the option for a live video tour.