Singapore is expensive compared to India but manageable if you know where the money goes and where to save.

Accommodation is the largest cost. On-campus hostel rooms at NUS or NTU cost SGD 400 to SGD 700 per month. Off-campus HDB room rentals run SGD 700 to SGD 1,100 depending on zone and room size. Private apartments cost significantly more and are not recommended as a first choice unless your scholarship or family budget is generous.

Food is where Singapore actually becomes affordable if you use it right. Hawker centres and kopitiams (local coffee shops) serve full meals for SGD 3 to SGD 5. Every neighbourhood and most MRT stations have at least one nearby. NUS and NTU have their own canteens with similar pricing. If you eat at hawker centres regularly, food costs SGD 200 to SGD 350 per month even with three meals daily. Cooking from NTUC FairPrice or Giant supermarkets is a similar cost.

Transport on the MRT and buses is efficient and cheap. Tap in and out with an EZ-Link card. Monthly transit costs for students commuting daily within a few zones: SGD 80 to SGD 120. Student concession cards reduce this further for eligible students. Apply through the TransitLink website.

Phone: a 20 to 50GB monthly SIM plan costs SGD 15 to SGD 30 with Singtel, StarHub, or Circles.Life. No need for a contract in your first months.

Total monthly budget: SGD 1,200 to SGD 1,700 if you live in on-campus housing and use hawker centres. SGD 1,600 to SGD 2,200 off-campus. One warning: Singapore has excellent malls and food delivery apps. The temptation to spend on retail and restaurant food delivery is real and adds up fast.