HELP! Living Cost in Singapore...

[New2Spore]

Hi everyone,
I need your expertise... I'm a single person living in US, Virginia to be exact, and I have been talking with a company in Singapore for a position.   The company said that they can only hire me as a local employee and that salary would be around S$4,000.  So I need to let them know if that is acceptable or I need to negotiate for highter salary... so I need your help.  Here are my questions:
*  What do I (a single person) need to make to live comfortably is Singapore?
*  What is average rent, utilities, living expenses and etc?  (in case I do want to live alone)
*  I was making around $70,000 USD and what would be a equivalent spending power in Singapore?
*  How much tax would I be paying to Singapore gov't and US gov't?
*  I'm currently a green card holder in US does that have any affect in my residency status at US or Singapore?
*  Any other useful information you could think of or I need to consider...

If any of you can shine some light into these topics please please HELP...
Thanks

[whoa]

Right off the bat, darlin', the money is just no good!!!!!!  That is only S$48,000 and nowhere near the USD$70,000  you are making now.  Check your exchange rate!  Could you make it here on S$4,000 per month?  Sure, but you wouldn't be living like you are now.  Sounds like you are being led down the wrong path.  Did you pursue them or they you?  If they are pursuing you, tell them to "get real".  They must not need you that bad.  If you are pursuing them?  Stop!  Good luck, if not this, something else will come up.

[Bewildered]

Assuming that the $4000 is a monthly salary, then you will be much worse off than you were in the USA. Generally speaking living costs in Singapore are high compared to the US, I understand equivalent to LA / SF and certainly much higher than most US cities. The good news is tax in Sing is lower and on $48,000 pa you will only pay around $2500 income tax in Sing. You should not need to pay any US tax.

Assuming you decide to live alone you can probably rent a lower-end 2-bed condo for around $1300-1500 per month. Cheaper alternatives are available, eg flat sharing or rent-a-room.
Utilities / telephone etc, budget $300 pm. Transport say $100 pm, food, drink etc say $600 pm, more if you like wine or beer. Watch out for medical and dental bills too.

Your living costs will probably be around $2500-3000 pm. This will leave say $1000 pm for entertainment, holidays, savings.

[want_to_believe]

whats wrong with You... give up a 70.000US$ job for a 48.000SG$ job. Thats only 26.000US$. A mid size car cost You 125.000SG$. A beer cost You 9SG$
I would say, food and electronic is cheaper in Sing . You defenetly pay less income tax . But still , if you earn 70.000US$ now , you should look at 100.000 +++ SGD to have the same standart.

[GI Joe]

48,000$/month = +/- 26,000 USD at today's exchange.And you are making 78,000USD now?
What kind of company you are working for?
The "I screw you Inc."?

Seriously, singapore is more expensive than US. If you want to live well, have a proper place, be able to travel (very important in Singapore), have fun in general you need at least 8,000 to 10,000 a month.

[New2Spore]

I just want to say two thinks: Thank you for all your information, I really appreciate it and  please keep them coming... and YES I know my $70,000 USD is no where near  +- S$48,000, but I really want to work in Asia and I was hoping I would not be paying 32% + in taxes...

[want_to_believe]

no, with 48.000 you pay maybe 8% or less

[Australian girl]

Agree with above, my husband works here, we have 2 children, he earns about $7K a month, his company also pay our children's school fees, our accommodation of a 3 bedroom apartment $2,500 per month and he also has a company car. We can survive well on his salary and also save some, but on $4,000 only you'd definetely be really pushing it. Yes alcohol is extremely expensive. I would be pushing this company for definetely a rental allowance.  $4K would probably be enough for a single person if they were to give some sort of allowance for rent. Hope this helps. Australian Girl

[notsobadlah]

WTB is right.  My first job here I was making less than that and I paid 5-7% tax.

BTW I had a great time here on that salary.  I shared a flat with some friendly folks (Aussies and Cdns) next to the Botanic Gardens, travelled and saved money.  What I save here in 3 years would have taken me 8 years or more in Canada due to taxes.   However I don't drink and I don't do a lot of shopping here, but I do go out for a nice meal (50$ per person) whenever I feel like it with no problems.   Shamefully I eat out 90% of the time at the food courts.  

If you want to keep up with Expats here - you'll need a lot, but if your just out her for the experience, fun and people, not the money, then no problems.

[Mr Pants]

Salary is fine if you really want to see Asia. You'll hear a lot of nonsense, from wealthy, overpaid expats, about 4K being a pittance. Its not - you can live comfortably and have fun. Singapore is cheap generally. Just dont buy a car or buy/rent a flat. Remember if the company can get a local for the 4000 dollars why should they pay you more?

Pants.

[blah blah]

You will also need to factor in the cost of home visits, as well as moving costs.  If you are not on an expat package, this things may not be included.

If I was you, I would not take a job for S$4000 per month, given your current salary.  There are lots of opportunities out there (and here in Singapore).  There is no reason to sell yourself short.

[want_to_believe]

Mr Pants..dont know what these tips have to do with wealthy overpaid expats...sorry can't hear it anymore. He will earn much less than in US , but has the same or even higher living cost. Most of us , in fact ,are not overpaid , just getting the same mony that we have at home . And, Yes, life is expencive in sing compare to europe for example. Just basic stuff for your daily needs. I can buy a liter of milk for 70% less at home, a pice of chese for 80% less, a liter of orange juice for 50%less, a salami for 60% less, a car for 70% less, a beer for 80% less , shaving cream 80% less, Cheesecake 60% less, rent a flat for 60% less. Oh, computer and cameras are 20% more expencive at home , but i think thats the only thing. So please, dont give me  this " rich , overpaid expat" crap

[bunnychow]

...and they say the Singaporeans are materialistic???  

Agree with Mr. Pants on this one.

Anyhow Spore is nothing compared to London, Hong Kong or Tokyo.  I have lived and worked in only London and HK.  

If you are very comfortable in the US (esp if you have a family), then don't come out here, but if you are interested in a change, a new experience, then welcome to Spore.  

I came out here on less than your offer, but loved my job, had the best colleagues of my working life (99.9% Sporeans) and got work experience I couldn't get at home.   Now I have a new job with a substantial increase at an expat salary.

My advice, if you like what you do, then you'll be happy and rewarded in many ways, personally, professionally and financially.

[Mr Pants]

You're getting the same as back home but probably 100% more than a local with similar experience. Makes no business sense in all but a tiny few cases. As someone said before it has everything to do with "window dressing".

To the original poster

Most expats rent relatively expensive condos. 95% of Singaporeans stay in HDB estates. Hence you can ignore most estimates for living expenses. If you live like the majority of the populace you will make ends meet no problem.

[want_to_believe]

hmm very strange . If singaporean companyes can hire a local with the same experience and knowledge , whey they hire expats for a lot of money ? . What a waste , they should kick all this stupid overpaid expats out who take there jobs.
And , if nearly all singaporeans life in HDB's , who are all my singaporean neighboures ... the onc'e that are 35 years old , bought a condo flat for 1.000.000 and have a Merc or a BMW downstairs. I ( I'm one of these totally rich overpaid expats) can only dream of a car here .
To the original poster ... there is a cost of living index on the internet . You can check it for singapore . When I moved here , it was 25% higher than Berlin , don't know where it is now .