Moving to Singapore from Hong Kong or planning a Macau day trip while you explore relocation options is increasingly common among expats comparing Asia’s top city-hubs.
This Homejourney expat guide explains how life in Hong Kong and Macau compares with Singapore, what visas and work passes you need, how property rules work for foreigners, and the practical steps to relocate safely and confidently. It is written from the perspective of a long-term Singapore resident who regularly shuttles between Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore, using real examples and local insights to help you make informed decisions.
Life in Hong Kong, Macau & Why Many Expats Look to Singapore
If you are currently based in Hong Kong or doing frequent Hong Kong–Macau day trips, you are already used to dense, high-rise city living, fast-paced finance and tourism economies, and excellent public transport.
Singapore offers a similar urban experience—compact, efficient, and cosmopolitan—but with several key differences that often attract Hong Kong and Macau expats:
- Stability & governance: Singapore is known for political stability, strong rule of law, and clear regulations across immigration, property, and business (refer to official guidance from ICA, MOM, IRAS, HDB, URA).
- Space & greenery: Compared with the urban density of Central or Mong Kok, many expats appreciate Singapore’s integrated parks (e.g. East Coast Park, Bishan–Ang Mo Kio Park) and nature reserves easily accessed from MRT stations.
- Family-friendly environment: Safe streets, strong international schools, and clear healthcare options make Singapore particularly attractive for families planning beyond short-term contracts.
- Tax & business environment: Relatively low personal and corporate tax rates and straightforward company incorporation continue to draw professionals and investors.
At the same time, core similarities—English as a working language, strong finance and service sectors, and extensive flight connections—mean that a move from Hong Kong or Macau to Singapore feels like an evolution rather than a total lifestyle reset.
Relocating to Singapore: Visa, Work & Cost of Living
Key Visa & Work Pass Options
Most Hong Kong and Macau expats move to Singapore on a job offer or business expansion. Immigration in Singapore is managed by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and work passes by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). Always confirm the latest criteria with these agencies before applying.
- Employment Pass (EP): For foreign professionals, managers and executives with a qualifying salary and acceptable educational and professional profile. Employers must use MOM’s COMPASS framework to assess eligibility.
- S Pass: For mid-level skilled staff with fixed minimum salary and quota limits per company.
- ONE Pass / Personalised Employment Pass: For top-tier talent or high earners; offers more flexibility in changing jobs.
- EntrePass: For entrepreneurs who want to start a venture-backed or innovative business in Singapore.
- Long-Term Visit Pass & Dependant’s Pass: For spouses and children, usually tied to a main EP or S Pass holder.
Unlike Macau’s tourism-heavy permits or Hong Kong’s Employment Visa under the General Employment Policy, Singapore work passes are tightly tied to job roles, salary benchmarks and industry needs. Plan your move only after you or your spouse has a clear hiring or investment pathway.
Employment Opportunities for Hong Kong & Macau Professionals
Professionals from Hong Kong and Macau often transition into similar sectors in Singapore:
- Banking & finance: Many regional teams relocate roles between Central (Hong Kong) and Raffles Place / Marina Bay, so internal transfers are common.
- Tech & digital: Singapore’s tech corridor around one-north attracts talent from Hong Kong’s growing tech scene, especially in fintech and data roles.
- Tourism & hospitality: Macau’s hotel and casino experience translates well into Singapore’s integrated resorts and MICE sector.
- Professional services: Lawyers, consultants, and corporate services professionals often cover both North Asia and Southeast Asia from a Singapore hub.
To understand which industries are most in demand, monitor MOM’s Fair Consideration Framework updates and manpower shortage lists, and cross-check with salary benchmarks published by major recruitment firms.
Cost of Living: Hong Kong vs Macau vs Singapore
The cost of living across these three cities is high by global standards, but the mix is different. Based on recent market observations and major cost-of-living indices:
- Housing: Hong Kong’s central districts (Central, Mid-Levels) remain more expensive per square foot than most of Singapore, while Macau’s non-casino residential areas can be cheaper. However, Singapore’s core central condo rents (CBD, Orchard, Marina Bay) are comparable to Hong Kong expatriate areas.
- Transport: Singapore’s MRT and bus fares are broadly similar to Hong Kong’s MTR, while private car ownership is significantly more expensive in Singapore due to COE. Many expats choose to remain car-free.
- Daily expenses: Hawker centres keep food costs manageable in Singapore. You can still get a decent local meal for around S$5–8 at places like Maxwell Food Centre or Amoy Street Food Centre, which is lower than many sit-down options in Central or Cotai.
- Tax: Singapore’s top marginal personal income tax rates are lower than Hong Kong’s recent adjusted bands and significantly lower than many Western cities, which partially offsets higher housing costs for some professionals.
Homejourney’s tools allow you to compare rental prices across neighbourhoods and estimate mortgage affordability in your preferred currency, including HKD and MOP, using our currency and bank rate features Bank Rates .
Property in Singapore for Hong Kong & Macau Expats
What Foreigners Can Buy
Singapore has clear rules governing what non-residents and non–Singapore Permanent Residents (SPRs) can buy, overseen by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and the Residential Property Act.
- Condominiums & apartments: Foreigners (including Hong Kong and Macau citizens) can freely buy strata-titled units in private condominiums and apartments without special approval.
- Executive Condominiums (ECs): Foreigners may buy EC units only in the secondary market after the 10-year mark, when they become fully privatised.
- HDB flats: HDB public housing is heavily restricted. Foreigners cannot buy most HDB flats directly, and even SPRs must meet various eligibility schemes.
- Landed property: Foreigners generally need SLA approval to buy landed residential property such as bungalows or terrace houses, and approval is not guaranteed.
For reliable project-by-project information, use Homejourney’s curated project overviews and market data Projects or browse the full projects directory Projects Directory .
Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) for Foreigners
Foreign buyers are subject to Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty on top of standard Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD). For most foreigners, ABSD rates are significantly higher than for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, and rates have been revised upwards multiple times in recent years to cool the property market (see IRAS for the latest figures).
If you are used to buying in Hong Kong or Macau, be prepared for this extra tax layer. Before committing to a purchase, always:
- Check the latest ABSD and BSD rates on the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) website.
- Use professional conveyancing lawyers and licensed agents to calculate your total tax and legal costs.
- Run mortgage affordability scenarios on Homejourney’s bank and mortgage rate tools Bank Rates and Mortgage Rates .
Popular Neighbourhoods for Hong Kong & Macau Expats
Hong Kong and Macau expats usually look for areas that feel central, connected, and lively—similar to Central, Wan Chai, or Taipa. In Singapore, some consistently popular choices include:
- Orchard / River Valley: High-rise condos with easy access to Orchard Road malls, international supermarkets and dining. Comparable in feel to Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels and parts of Tsim Sha Tsui.
- Robertson Quay / Clarke Quay: Riverside living with a strong expat presence, great restaurants and bars, and walkability to the CBD.
- Marina Bay / Tanjong Pagar: Ultra-urban living within walking distance of Grade A offices, similar to staying near Central or IFC in Hong Kong.
- East Coast (Katong, Marine Parade): More relaxed, with access to East Coast Park. Many Hong Kong families like the balance of international schools, food options and seaside lifestyle.
- Holland Village / Buona Vista: Good for those working in one-north or science parks, with a village feel and established expat community.
