Coliving

Co-living vs. Renting in Singapore: Which One Fits You Best?

Cove Singapore

Sep 22, 2025 • 3 min read

Community in Co-living

Did you know Singapore was ranked the world’s most expensive city in the 2025 Global Wealth & Lifestyle Report by Julius Baer Group? With the rising cost of home rentals in Singapore, affordable housing has become one of the biggest challenges for those who are seeking an accessible place to stay in the city fringe areas.

That’s where co-living comes in.

What is Co-living in Singapore?

Co-living is a modern housing community concept with flexible contracts where individuals pay a monthly fee for a fully furnished apartment with shared living spaces. Most co-living spaces in Singapore provide tenants the privacy of their own bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, while encouraging social interaction with other like-minded housemates through communal spaces such as the living room, kitchen and frequent member-only social events.

Co-living isn’t like your traditional home rental in Singapore. What makes it unique is its focus on community building, which appeals to a diverse audience seeking connection and collaboration over shared interests.

To help you make a guided decision, let’s break down the key differences between co-living and renting with the following factors in mind:

Co-living vs. Renting: Key Differences at a Glance

Factor	co-living	Renting
Cost	• One monthly fee (includes utilities, WiFi, furniture, and appliances)	• Base rent only • Separate bills for utilities and internet • High upfront costs (deposit, agent fees, furnishing)
Flexibility	• Shorter leases (3-6 months) • Move-in ready (often within 2 weeks) • Easy relocation between properties	• Standard 12–24 month lease • Strict termination penalties • Longer setup time
Convenience	• Fully furnished • Cleaning & maintenance included • Ready-to-use appliances & kitchenware	• DIY setup for furniture, internet, utilities • Tenant handles repairs & maintenance
Privacy	• Private bedrooms • Shared kitchens & living spaces	• Full unit control • Greater ability to customise space
Community	• Like-minded housemates • Networking & social events • Shared common areas foster connection	• Independent living • Social life depends on your interactions with neighbours or flatmates

Pros and Cons of Co-living

Pros of Co-living

All co-living apartments come fully furnished with everything you need, from beds and sofas to appliances and kitchenware. In addition, essentials such as Wi-Fi, utilities and even weekly housekeeping are bundled into your monthly fee, ensuring you can move into your new place within two weeks!

Those who prioritise flexibility would appreciate the short-term lease that comes with a co-living space. Instead of being locked into a two-year lease like traditional home rentals in Singapore, co-living leases can often be as short as three months.

Lastly, many operators host member-only events and cultural tours to foster social connections and a sense of camaraderie among its members. Whether you’re looking for friends, networking opportunities or just someone to grab coffee with, co-living takes away the isolation of living alone.

Cons of Co-living

As with any shared living space, dealing with different schedules, habits or noise levels can sometimes lead to sources of conflict among housemates. It is crucial to address these issues quickly to avoid further points of tension. Generally, co-living is not recommended for people who strongly value their independence.

Pros and Cons of Traditional Renting in Singapore

Pros of Traditional Renting

If you are looking to settle down in Singapore beyond one year, traditional renting offers more stability, with standard leases ranging from 12 to 24 months. In addition, you have the freedom to design and furnish the place to match your personal style and lifestyle.

Considering the wide variety of housing options listed on property rental platforms such as PropertyGuru, 99.co and SRX, traditional renting in Singapore gives you the opportunity to find a home that fits both your preferences and budget.

Cons of Traditional Renting

One of the main disadvantages of traditional renting in Singapore is the immediate high upfront costs upon signing your rental lease with the landlord. This includes fees such as security deposits, agent fees and furniture costs. Traditional renting also has lesser flexibility, with early contract termination often resulting in penalties such as the forfeiture of security deposit.

Which One Fits You Best?

Choosing between co-living and traditional renting ultimately depends on your lifestyle, priorities and duration of stay. Young professionals, expats and students often prefer co-living for its short-term flexibility, convenience and social perks. Families or those seeking larger space and long-term stability tend to favour renting an entire home for privacy reasons.

If you are curious about the co-living experience in Singapore, we got you. At Cove, we specialise in curating stylish and fully-furnished modern homes across Singapore to streamline your moving process. Whether you’re moving for work, study or just considering a change of environment, check out our website for the complete co-living space collection and book a free viewing with us today!