According to the new November 2025 report on the most expensive Asian countries for single people, Singaporeans need to spend almost $5K on monthly necessities. An analysis by a moneylender company in Singapore explored living expenses and quality of life across the continent to highlight the countries where it’s most expensive to live alone.
- Singapore ranks 1st, with living costs outpacing average salaries by around $200 each month.
- The United Arab Emirates provides the highest safety, together with a high quality of life, for an expensive lifestyle of $3,317 a month.
- Those living solo in Qatar pay for the priciest entertainment, as activities like going to movies or dining out cost almost $300.
The research examined multiple expense categories, including housing, utilities, transportation, and entertainment costs, along with contextual factors like safety ratings and quality of life scores. Countries were ranked based on their total monthly expense requirements for a single person.
Here’s a look at the 10 most expensive Asian countries for singles:
| Country | Safety Index | Quality of Life Index | Average Monthly Salary (USD, After Tax) | Living Costs (USD) | Entertainment Costs (USD) | Total Expenses (USD) |
| Singapore | 77 | 153 | 4,249 | 4,617 | 286 | 4,903 |
| Hong Kong | 79 | 139 | 3,553 | 3,671 | 215 | 3,886 |
| United Arab Emirates | 85 | 177 | 3,935 | 3,032 | 285 | 3,317 |
| Qatar | 85 | 189 | 3,095 | 2,566 | 296 | 2,862 |
| South Korea | 75 | 148 | 3,259 | 1,866 | 150 | 2,016 |
| Kuwait | 67 | 161 | 2,516 | 1,757 | 222 | 1,979 |
| Lebanon | 53 | 100 | 562 | 1,661 | 169 | 1,830 |
| Japan | 77 | 185 | 2,596 | 1,628 | 156 | 1,784 |
| Armenia | 78 | 120 | 611 | 1,592 | 186 | 1,778 |
| Saudi Arabia | 76 | 177 | 2,413 | 1,435 | 239 | 1,674 |
You can access the complete research findings here.
1. Singapore
- Total monthly expenses: $4,903
- Average salary after tax: $4,249
- Quality of life index: 153
- Safety index: 77
Singapore is Asia’s most expensive country for singles, requiring $4.9K monthly to maintain a standard lifestyle. It offers the highest salaries in the region, at $4,249 after taxes, but single people here still face a monthly deficit to keep up with typical expenses. For these prices, the country shows good safety and a strong quality of life.
2. Hong Kong
Hong Kong takes 2nd place, with monthly living expenses for single people reaching $3,886. The average salary here is about $3,553, which means expected basic living costs are higher than what one person usually earns. Housing remains the primary expense, with apartments in the city centre costing $2,270 monthly. Extra expenses, such as dining out or getting a gym subscription, cost above $100.
3. The United Arab Emirates
The UAE holds the third position and provides more financial freedom than Singapore and Hong Kong by leaving spare money from basic expenses. The average salaries of $3,935 after tax cover $3,317 of monthly expenses, and leave $618 for saving or emergency funds. Renting a 1-bedroom apartment in a city center location here will cost $1,661, while entertainment expenses are among the highest in Asia.
4. Qatar
In the fourth place is Qatar, where living solo comes to $2,862 monthly. With average salaries at $3K, single people here have a small surplus each month. Entertainment in Qatar is the most expensive in the study, coming close to $300 a month.
5. South Korea
South Korea ranks as the fifth most expensive country for people living alone, with monthly costs averaging around $2K. While salaries are higher at about $3.2K, living expenses still add up quickly: small city center apartments typically cost $583 a month, and hobbies can take another $150. Basic utilities are among the priciest on the list, costing an additional $175.
The spokesperson from the moneylender company in Singapore commented:
“We’re seeing more young Asians moving out of family homes to live independently, despite the financial challenges. While Asia has a reputation for affordability, rising economies mean living costs are increasing too, particularly in East Asian cities. The same goes for Gulf states, where living expenses are traditionally high. With this, solo living can be quite tough these days. This is why we are also seeing how youth across Asia are taking up the apartment co-sharing culture more and more, with many of them even looking beyond capitals and exploring regional cities to save more.”