Money
Currency
Currency in Singapore is the Singapore Dollar (SGD).
Singapore uses 1c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and S$1 coins. Notes are in denominations of S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$500, S$1000 and S$10,000.
Up-to-date exchange rate information can be found at XE.com.
Cost of Living
Singapore has one of the highest standards of living in Asia, yet the cost of living is still relatively moderate, especially in comparison to western cities. Students studying at NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia can expect to pay less on average per month in living expenses than if they were studying in New York.
In January 2009, students at Tisch Asia reported the following estimated monthly expenses in Singapore (in Singapore Dollar):
Rent$800-$1100
$75-$150
$60-$100
$40-$60
$75-$150
$50-$200
$350-$650
$50-$100
$50-$100
$100-$250
$50-$100
Banking
Major banks in Singapore include ABN AMRO, Citibank, DBS, HSBC, OCBC, Standard Chartered and UOB. Each bank will differ in terms of the requirements for opening an account, account charges, and minimum balances (which can range from $100 - $1000).
ATMs
ATMs are widely available in Singapore. "Plus" and "Cirrus" are the two most popular networks. Funds drawn from international accounts as well as from credit cards may be subject to fees, depending on the bank. Please consult your bank and credit card provider for specific information. ATMs in Singapore can also be used to pay certain bills through the cashless "NETS" method of payment.
