Monthly Expenses, Government Subsidies, and What Families Are Actually Paying in Singapore

What Are Singapore Families Really Paying Each Month? A breakdown of monthly expenses, government subsidies, and the real cost of raising kids in the Lion City.

Raising a child in Singapore isn't just a personal milestone—it's a significant financial challenge. Many new parents are shocked by the true cost of having a baby. But is it really that expensive? Or are subsidies helping more than we think?

Let’s break down what a typical Singaporean family might spend monthly in 2025 and how government support can lessen the financial burden.

💸 Estimated Monthly Costs (2025) for a Family with One Baby

Here’s a breakdown for a couple living in an HDB flat with one infant:

🏠 Housing & Utilities

• HDB Loan Repayment: $2,500 (varies based on loan and flat size)

  Note: $2,500 is based on the price of a resale HDB flat.

  - You can choose to pay part of the HDB loan using CPF.

  - Example: $500 can be paid using CPF.

• Town Council: $69.50

• Electricity, Water & Gas: $280

• Home Internet: $48.69

• Subtotal: $2,898.19

  
  

📱 Mobile Plans

• Husband: $19.95

• Wife: $19.95

• Subtotal: $39.90

  
  

🛒 Groceries & Supplements

• Home Groceries: $350

• Husband’s Health Supplements: $68

• Wife’s Health Supplements: $68

• Subtotal: $486

  
  

👶 Baby-Related Costs

• Infant Care: $1,235

• Formula Milk: $284 ($71 per week)

• Diapers: $80

• Baby Supplements: $39

• Creams, Oil, Ointments: $80

  (Note: Does not include clothing or other baby items)

• Subtotal: $1,718

  
  

🍱 Food & Drinks (Daily Meals Outside)

• Husband (3 meals/day): $6 + $10 + $15 × 30 days = $930

• Wife (same): $930

• Subtotal: $1,860

  
  

🚍 Transport (Weekdays Only)

• Husband’s Bus Fare: $4 × 22 days = $88

• Subtotal: $88

  
  

✅ Total Monthly Spending (Before Subsidies): $7,090.09

Here’s how the calculations add up:

= $2,898.19 (Housing & Utilities)

+ $39.90 (Mobile)

+ $486 (Groceries & Supplements)

+ $1,718 (Baby)

+ $1,860 (Food & Drinks)

+ $88 (Transport)

= $7,090.09

🏛️ How Much Can Government Subsidies Help in 2025?

Even with government support, the financial burden can feel heavy. Here’s where subsidies come into play:

💡 Infant Care Subsidy (Monthly)

• Non-working mother: Save $150

• Working mother: Save $600

  
  

🎁 Baby Bonus

• Up to $8,000, which can be used for the baby’s medical and educational needs.

  
  

🧾 Other Support

• CDC Vouchers: $300/year (~$25/month)

• Climate Vouchers: $100/year (~$8.33/month)

• S&CC Rebates: Covers some utility bills (~$14.58/month)

• CHAS: Medical and dental subsidies for eligible families.

  
  

💰 After Subsidies: What’s the Real Monthly Cost?

Here’s how the costs change after applying subsidies:

• Original Total: $7,090.09

• Less Infant Care: −$1,235

• Less CDC, Climate, S&CC: −$47.91🔻

• Final Monthly Estimate: ~$5,807.18

  
  

🤔 Is It Manageable? Or Still Too Much?

Even with support, most families cannot rely on a single income. Many need:

• Dual-income households

• Savings dip-ins

• Side hustles or gig work (e.g., Grab, Foodpanda, Deliveroo)

  
  

💡 Key Takeaway

Singapore stands out as one of the safest, cleanest, and most advanced countries globally—but it is also among the most expensive places to raise a child. Managing costs takes careful planning, teamwork, and financial discipline.

Subsidies provide some relief, but they don’t cover everything. Still, Singapore’s support system is more robust than in many other countries. Ultimately, how families cope depends on their strategies and readiness to adapt.