Moving to Singapore from Bangkok Thailand: Fast Overview
If you are moving to Singapore from Bangkok Thailand, expect a cleaner, more regulated city with higher costs but excellent safety, infrastructure, and career opportunities. Singapore offers clear visa pathways, a transparent property market, and a familiar Southeast Asian climate, making it a natural next step for Bangkok-based expats and investors.
This cluster guide sits under Homejourney’s main Singapore expat & relocation pillar , and focuses specifically on Bangkok-based expats and investors comparing life between the two cities. You will find tactical, step-by-step advice on visas, housing, costs, and how to safely search for Singapore property using Homejourney’s verified ecosystem.
1. Life in Bangkok vs Singapore: What Changes When You Move?
Living as an expat in Bangkok Thailand typically means relatively low daily costs, an intense street-food culture, long traffic jams, and a very relaxed approach to rules. By contrast, Singapore is more structured: rules are enforced, English is widely used, public transport is highly efficient, and safety levels are among the highest in Asia.
If you already love things to do in Bangkok like weekend markets, rooftop bars, and temple-hopping, you will find Singapore’s mix of hawker centres, waterfront bars, and cultural districts (Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Gelam) familiar—just neater and more compact. Bangkok attractions such as ICONSIAM or Chatuchak are loosely mirrored by Singapore hotspots like Jewel Changi, Marina Bay Sands, and Orchard Road.
Key similarities:
- Hot, humid climate all year round
- Strong expat presence and international schools
- Excellent regional connectivity for Thailand travel and wider ASEAN trips
Key differences (you will notice these in your first week):
- Cost of living: Singapore rent, cars, and alcohol are significantly more expensive than Bangkok.
- Transport: Singapore’s MRT and buses are punctual, air-conditioned, and well-covered by apps; owning a car is usually not necessary.
- Safety & cleanliness: Violent crime is rare and public spaces are very clean; fines for littering and smoking in prohibited areas are enforced.
2. Relocating to Singapore from Bangkok: Visas, Jobs & Costs
2.1 Visa & Work Pass Options
Most Bangkok-based expats coming to work in Singapore will need a work pass issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The main passes are:
- Employment Pass (EP): For professionals, managers, and executives. As of 2025, candidates generally must earn at least S$5,600/month and pass the COMPASS points framework.[4]
- S Pass: For mid-skilled employees with a minimum qualifying salary starting from about S$3,000/month (higher for older workers).[3][4]
- Work Permit: For semi-skilled workers in sectors like construction and marine.[4]
- EntrePass: For entrepreneurs starting innovative businesses in Singapore.[4]
Your Singapore employer usually applies for the pass on your behalf online. Processing commonly takes around a week to a few weeks for straightforward cases.[3][7] Always cross-check requirements on the official MOM site for the latest rules.[4]
2.2 Job Market for Expats Coming from Bangkok
If you work in sectors already strong in Bangkok—finance, tech, logistics, hospitality—you will find even deeper regional headquarters roles in Singapore. Compared to Bangkok, more companies base ASEAN or APAC leadership functions here, so roles may be more strategic and better paid, but also more competitive.
In my experience working with expats who moved from Bangkok, hiring cycles in Singapore can be slightly slower but more structured, with HR teams familiar with relocating regional candidates. Negotiating relocation support (temporary housing, flight, moving costs) is common for mid- to senior-level hires.
2.3 Cost of Living: Bangkok vs Singapore (2025 Snapshot)
Figures below are indicative averages for a single professional, based on typical expat patterns. Actual costs will vary by lifestyle.
- Rent (1–2 bedroom, central-ish): Bangkok: ~S$800–S$1,500; Singapore: ~S$2,800–S$5,000 (condo) or ~S$2,200–S$3,200 (HDB).
- Meals: Bangkok street food ~S$2–S$4 vs Singapore hawker ~S$4–S$7 per dish.
- Public transport: Bangkok BTS/MRT typical trip ~S$1–S$2; Singapore MRT/bus ~S$1–S$2.50.
Insider tip: many Bangkok expats underestimate Singapore rents. Before signing any lease, use Homejourney’s verified listings and recent transaction data via Projects Directory to benchmark realistic prices in your target neighbourhoods.
3. Property in Singapore for Expats from Bangkok
3.1 What Foreigners Can Buy
In Singapore, foreigners (including Bangkok-based expats) can typically buy:
- Private condominiums and apartments (no prior approval needed in most cases).
- Executive Condominiums (ECs) that are at least 10 years old (fully privatised).
Foreigners usually cannot buy subsidised HDB flats directly from the government, and buying landed property generally requires special approval from the Singapore Land Authority. Always verify details on HDB and SLA official pages before committing.
3.2 Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for Foreigners
Beyond standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD), foreign buyers are subject to ABSD, which is significantly higher than what Singapore Citizens pay. Rates have been tightened several times to cool the market, and can materially impact your total investment cost.
Because ABSD rates and rules can change, always:
- Check the latest schedules on IRAS or government announcements before your purchase.
- Speak with a licensed conveyancing lawyer or tax advisor to understand your scenario.
- Use Homejourney calculators and verified guides for updated worked examples.
3.3 Popular Neighbourhoods for Bangkok-origin Expats
Bangkok expats often look for areas that match what they liked in Thailand—food, nightlife, convenience, and community. Common choices include:
- River Valley / Robertson Quay: Walkable to the CBD, riverside dining, similar vibe to Bangkok riverside condos.
- Tiong Bahru: Heritage walk-ups, trendy cafés, and a village feel, a bit like combining Ari and Thonglor.
- East Coast (Katong, Joo Chiat): Laid-back, near the sea, strong food culture—popular with those who enjoyed Ekkamai or Phra Khanong.
- Holland Village / One-North: Expat-friendly with cafés and bars, close to tech and research hubs.
Insider tip: if you are used to skytrain living in Bangkok (Asok, Ekkamai, Ari), shortlist condos within 5–7 minutes’ walk of an MRT station in Singapore. The impact on your everyday comfort is similar to choosing BTS-proximate condos in Bangkok.
3.4 Renting vs Buying and How Homejourney Helps
Most new arrivals rent for 1–3 years before deciding whether to buy. When you are ready to explore the market:
- Use Homejourney’s property search to filter verified listings and avoid scams: Property Search
- Check project-level histories, transacted prices, and rental yields via the projects directory: Projects Directory
- Compare mortgage financing across banks using our bank rates tools: Bank Rates
- Connect with vetted, licensed agents through our agent directory for personalised advice:
Homejourney’s priority is user safety and trust. We vet information, highlight risks (fake listings, unrealistic yields), and surface only transparent, documented data so Bangkok-based buyers can make decisions confidently from overseas.
