Retire in Singapore
Your complete guide to financial independence in Singapore for 2026
Zero capital gains but very high cost of living (rent/cars).
💰
120%
Cost of Living
vs NYC baseline
🏠
$3,500
Average Rent
per month
📊
0.0%
Capital Gains Tax
on investments
🛡️
10/10
Safety Score
security rating
How Much Do You Need to Retire in Singapore?
Lean FIRE
$640,000
For $2,400/mo lifestyle
Moderate
$960,000
For $3,600/mo lifestyle
Comfortable
$1,280,000
For $4,800/mo lifestyle
Luxury
$1,600,000
For $6,000/mo lifestyle
Note: These calculations use the 4.5% safe withdrawal rate and include Singapore's 0.0% capital gains tax.
Visa & Residency Options
Available Visas
Employment Pass / ONE Pass
Cost by Location Type
Urban
$3,850
10% more
Suburban
$3,500
baseline
Rural
$3,500
baseline
Cheaper Alternatives to Singapore
Compare with More Expensive Countries
Frequently Asked Questions about Singapore
Geo-arbitrage is the strategy of earning a strong currency (like USD or EUR) while living in a country with a lower cost of living. In 2026, this is the fastest way to achieve FIRE, allowing you to reduce expenses by 40-60% without lowering your quality of life.
The Freedom Clock calculates your exact 'Freedom Date' based on your savings, income, and the real-time cost of living in your target country. It accounts for 2026 inflation rates and tax laws to give you a precise timeline for early retirement.
The Ordinary Wage (OW) ceiling for CPF contributions has increased to S$8,000 per month as of January 2026.
Singapore has no specific retirement visa. Most retirees enter via the Global Investor Program (GIP) or by holding a long-term ONE Pass.
No, Singapore generally does not tax capital gains, making it a premier destination for investors.
The Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass is for top talent earning S$30,000+ per month, allowing high flexibility to work for multiple firms.
Singapore remains expensive; a 1-bedroom condo outside the central area typically rents for S$3,500–S$4,500.
It is a dual system. While citizens use MediShield, expats typically use private insurance, which offers world-class, efficient care.
Consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the world, with virtually no violent crime and high public order.
Singapore uses a progressive scale topping out at 24% for the highest earners, which is significantly lower than most Western nations.
No. The MRT system is one of the best globally. Cars are extremely expensive due to the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system.
A government program providing quarterly payouts to lower-income seniors; it's generally restricted to Singaporean citizens.
Calculate Your Personal Freedom Date
Use our interactive calculator to see exactly when you can retire in Singapore based on your current savings and income.
Try the Freedom Calculator →