If you work in Tanjong Pagar, you’re right at the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD). It’s a busy, fast-paced area filled with professionals and surrounded by some of the most desirable homes in the city. But with that convenience comes a challenge – rental prices here are among the highest in Singapore.
So, what are your options?
Table of contents
- Start by defining your priorities
- Tanjong Pagar: Living right in the CBD
- Tiong Bahru: Heritage, cafes, and a 5-minute commute
- Robertson Quay and River Valley: Leisure meets luxury
- Aljunied, Kallang, and Lavender: Value and connectivity
- The rental decision matrix – what’s your best choice?
Start by defining your priorities
Your main goal is to make the most of your time while keeping your housing costs in check. Time, after all, is one of your most valuable assets – and your daily commute plays a huge role in how much of it you get to keep. That’s why any area you consider living in should allow you to reach your office within 30 minutes by public transport.
Ultimately, your decision comes down to balancing three main factors: how much you’re willing to spend on rent, your preferred lifestyle, and how much extra time you’re prepared to lose to commuting. So, if you’re looking at areas further out, you’ll want to carefully weigh every dollar saved against the additional travel time it brings.
In this guide, we’ll look into four areas that are popular among professionals working in Tanjong Pagar:
- Tanjong Pagar – for ultimate convenience
- Tiong Bahru – for charm and short commutes
- Robertson Quay / River Valley – for lifestyle and leisure
- Aljunied / Kallang / Lavender – for affordability and easy airport access
Tanjong Pagar: Living right in the CBD
If convenience is your top priority, then living in Tanjong Pagar itself is hard to beat. You can walk to work, enjoy your mornings without rushing, and skip public transport entirely. MRT stations like Tanjong Pagar (EWL), Maxwell (TEL), and Shenton Way (TEL) are all nearby, giving you excellent access to other parts of Singapore.
What it’s like to live here
Tanjong Pagar offers a sleek, urban lifestyle. You’re surrounded by upscale dining, boutique gyms, and stylish hangouts – especially around Duxton Hill and Duxton Road, that make it easy to unwind after work. Ultimately, this area suits busy professionals who want a convenient, all-in-one city experience and don’t mind paying more for it.
What you’ll pay
Renting here comes at a premium. A 1-bedroom condo can easily cost around S$4,000 per month, making it one of the pricier areas to live in. For HDB units, rents generally hover around the S$3,700 mark or higher, especially for well-renovated flats in central locations.
The trade-off is clear – you’re paying top dollar to buy back your time. You’ll save hours each week on commuting, giving you more freedom to rest, exercise, or socialise.
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Tiong Bahru: Heritage, cafes, and a 5-minute commute
Just one MRT stop away, Tiong Bahru might be the most balanced choice for those working in Tanjong Pagar. The travel time between Tiong Bahru MRT and Tanjong Pagar MRT is only five minutes, which means you’ll barely notice the commute.
In fact, you can even take a quick bus ride – it’ll get you there in around 20 minutes. This near-CBD connectivity gives you almost the same time advantage as living in Tanjong Pagar, but at a noticeably lower price point.
What it’s like to live here
Tiong Bahru isn’t just loved for its location – it’s admired for its unique charm and personality. This is one of Singapore’s most distinctive neighbourhoods, where heritage meets modern living. The low-rise, pre-war Art Deco flats give the area a nostalgic, almost cinematic feel, drawing plenty of photographers and Instagrammers who come to capture its timeless beauty.
Walking through the neighbourhood, you’ll notice how the old and new blend effortlessly. Trendy cafés and artisanal bakeries sit beside traditional mom-and-pop shops, creating a perfect balance of heritage and gentrification. The iconic Tiong Bahru Market is a must-visit – a lively hawker centre packed with local favourites like chwee kueh, lor mee, and roasted meats. It’s a local institution that perfectly complements the area’s stylish, café-filled streets.
You’ll also find plenty of well-known spots here – from the iconic Forty Hands café, which helped kickstart the area’s coffee culture, to Plain Vanilla Bakery and Tiong Bahru Bakery, both local favourites. There are also independent bookshops and art galleries scattered around, creating a vibrant yet laid-back atmosphere.
For working professionals, this neighbourhood offers the perfect balance – a place that feels lively, cultured, and social, while still just minutes away from the office.
What you’ll pay
Here, you’ll find both modern condos like Highline Residences and older HDB units. A 2-bedroom HDB flat near the MRT costs about S$2,400 with average rents going up to S$3,500 per month.
Considering the minimal commute time and lower rent, Tiong Bahru offers a good balance of cost, comfort, and connectivity. However, demand here is extremely strong. With overall rental volumes tightening across Singapore, these affordable city-fringe HDB units often attract multiple interested tenants. It’s common for final rental prices to edge closer to S$3,200, especially for renovated homes in prime spots.
For those eyeing private homes, 1-bedroom condos average around S$4,000 per month, while larger units can go up to S$5,400.
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Robertson Quay and River Valley: Leisure meets luxury
Set along the scenic Singapore River, Robertson Quay and River Valley offer a vibrant, central location that keeps you close to both the CBD and Orchard Road. The area is well-connected, with Fort Canning (DTL) and Great World (TEL) MRT stations providing easy access to the rest of the island.
But unlike the CBD, the higher rent here doesn’t buy you a shorter commute – it buys you lifestyle and luxury. Travelling to Tanjong Pagar typically takes 15 to 25 minutes by bus or taxi, which is several times longer than the quick 5-minute trip from Tiong Bahru.
Still, many residents here gladly accept the extra travel time. The draw of a riverfront neighbourhood filled with dining, nightlife, and recreation often outweighs the inconvenience of a longer commute.
What it’s like to live here
Life in Robertson Quay and River Valley blends convenience with character. You’ll find riverside cafes, alfresco restaurants, wine bars, and boutique fitness studios all within walking distance. On weekends, it’s common to see residents enjoying a jog along the promenade or meeting friends for brunch by the water.
Great World Mall is just nearby, providing quick access to groceries, dining, and entertainment. The neighbourhood has a polished yet relaxed atmosphere – perfect if you enjoy being social but still want peace and privacy when you’re home.
Overall, Robertson Quay and River Valley suit professionals who enjoy being at the centre of things, value well-designed spaces, and prefer a neighbourhood that keeps city life within easy reach while offering a touch of calm along the river.
Units here are also larger than the average CBD apartment. Most range from 883 to nearly 2,000 square feet, often with two or three bedrooms. This makes the area popular with professionals who prefer spacious homes, couples looking to upgrade, or groups of friends interested in co-living arrangements.
What you’ll pay
Renting in Robertson Quay and River Valley does come at a premium, reflecting its central positioning and upscale appeal. A 1-bedroom condo in this area typically rents for around S$4,000 per month, while larger 2- or 3-bedroom units can go significantly higher, depending on the development and amenities.
There are no HDB flats in this part of town, so all housing options fall within the private rental market. It’s a neighbourhood for those who value comfort, convenience, and a central, well-connected address – and who don’t mind paying a little extra for the lifestyle that comes with it.
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Aljunied, Kallang, and Lavender: Value and connectivity
For renters who want the most value for money, the Aljunied–Kallang–Lavender cluster stands out. The East-West Line (EWL) provides direct and reliable access to Tanjong Pagar, with travel times averaging 15 to 20 minutes – well within the ideal commuting range for city-based professionals.
However, what truly sets this area apart is its excellent access to Changi Airport. If your job requires frequent business trips, you’ll appreciate how efficient the journey is. From Kallang MRT Station, it takes only 28 minutes by train to reach Changi Airport, requiring just one transfer at Tanah Merah. Prefer a taxi? The trip takes about 15 minutes, thanks to the short 17 km driving distance.
This convenience especially appeals to young foreign professionals who love to travel around Southeast Asia. Many choose to work in Singapore not only for its stability and strong SGD-based salaries, but also because it serves as a perfect gateway to regional destinations. Weekend escapes to Bali, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur are just a short flight away – and living here means you’re always minutes from the terminal.
What it’s like to live here
Another reason many professionals love this area is its unbeatable food scene. The Aljunied and Geylang sub-districts are well-known as Singapore’s most authentic local food hubs. Here, you’ll find some of the best hawker and specialty dishes the city has to offer, often at prices far lower than those in the CBD.
It’s important to look past Geylang’s old reputation and focus on what truly defines it today – its culinary richness. From the smoky, ‘wok hei’ Swee Guan Hokkien Mee to the comforting L32 Handmade Noodles and the round-the-clock 126 Dim Sum Wen Dao Shi, the area is a food lover’s paradise. You’ll also find unique eateries like Koung’s Wan Tan Noodles, Ăn Là Ghiền for authentic Vietnamese fare, and Penang Seafood Restaurant for northern Malaysian favourites.
This deep concentration of authentic, high-quality, and affordable dining options makes daily living here both enjoyable and economical. You’ll spend less on food without sacrificing taste or variety – and you’ll always have something new to try just around the corner.
What you’ll pay
In this cluster, HDB flats generally rent for around S$3,000 to S$3,400 per month, with Aljunied being the most affordable, followed by Lavender and Kallang. If you’re looking at specific flat sizes, a 2-room unit in Aljunied can go for about S$1,900, while larger 3-room flats in Lavender or Kallang tend to be around S$2,700.
For those considering private housing, prices are naturally higher – averaging S$3,700 to S$4,700 per month. However, smaller 1-bedroom units in older developments can still be found for roughly S$2,800 to S$3,800, offering a reasonable balance between space, comfort, and cost.
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The rental decision matrix – what’s your best choice?
The following tables bring together the key data – from commute times and rental prices to lifestyle appeal, so you can easily compare each district and find what best fits your needs.
| District cluster | Commute to Tanjong Pagar (Public transport) | Airport access (MRT/Taxi) | Main lifestyle appeal |
| Tanjong Pagar | Walk (0–5 mins) | Medium (35+ mins) | Work-life integration |
| Tiong Bahru | MRT (5–10 mins)
Bus (15–20 mins) |
Medium (40 mins) | Heritage and cafes |
| Robertson Quay / River Valley | Bus or Taxi (15–25 mins) | Medium (25 mins) | Riverfront dining and nightlife |
| Aljunied / Kallang / Lavender | MRT (15–20 mins) | High (28 mins MRT) | Value and authentic food |
As you can see, Tiong Bahru provides almost the same convenience as living in the CBD. On the other hand, Aljunied, Kallang, and Lavender stand out for their excellent airport accessibility, making them ideal if you fly frequently for work.
Wrapping up
When choosing where to rent near Tanjong Pagar, your decision really depends on your personal priorities – whether that’s time, money, or lifestyle.
You can live right in the CBD and walk to work, enjoy Tiong Bahru’s short commute and culture, opt for River Valley’s luxury riverfront lifestyle, or pick Aljunied and Kallang for value and convenience.
Singapore’s rental market is competitive, and listings near the city tend to move fast. So, once you’ve found an area that fits your lifestyle and budget, the key is to act fast. The best homes, especially those offering both value and convenience, rarely stay available for long.
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