Is Raffles Place Expensive?

Singapore, Singapore

+25% vs Singapore avg

Living in Raffles Place, Singapore

Raffles Place is one of the pricier neighborhoods in Singapore, with a cost of living index of 109.6 — that is +25% compared to the Singapore average. It ranks #4 out of 24 areas by cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around S$3,582/month, compared to a range of S$2,063 in Sengkang to S$4,012 in Sentosa.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Raffles Place, housing takes up roughly 52% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 16%, while transportation costs around 9%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately S$143,298 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Raffles Place

Salaries in Raffles Place reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 109.6:

After tax and deductions of 25.1% in Singapore, take-home pay for someone earning S$143,298 would be roughly S$107,330/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

109.6
COLI Index
1.25x
vs City Avg
S$3,582
Est. 1BR Rent
#4
of 24 Areas
25.1%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Raffles Place

Estimated annual deductions on a S$107,083 salary in Raffles Place, Singapore (local employee).

Income Tax
6%
CPF (Employee Share)
19.1%
Total Deductions: 25.1%
Est. Take-Home: S$80,218/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Raffles Place would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $82,200
London GBP £70,740
Dubai AED AED 411,311

Other Neighborhoods in Singapore

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Sentosa 122.8 1.40x +40%
Marina Bay 118.4 1.35x +35%
Orchard Road 114.0 1.30x +30%
Dempsey Hill 107.0 1.22x +22%
Bukit Timah 103.5 1.18x +18%

View all 24 neighborhoods in Singapore →

Convert Your Salary

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Singapore City Comparisons

London vs Singapore Dubai vs Singapore Singapore vs Hong Kong

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Raffles Place:

Indre By (City Centre), Copenhagen Rothschild Blvd, Tel Aviv North Beach, San Francisco Manhattan (Lower East Side), New York Hell's Kitchen, New York Coronado, San Diego

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raffles Place expensive in Singapore?

Yes, Raffles Place is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Singapore. It costs about +25% more than the city average, ranking #4 out of 24 neighborhoods.

How does Raffles Place compare to the Singapore average?

The cost of living in Raffles Place is significantly above the Singapore average. With a multiplier of 1.25x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +25% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include Singapore Department of Statistics · Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.