Imagine earning SGD whilst living in Indonesia, where everything, from housing to meals, costs a fraction of the price here in Singapore. That's the reality for some Singaporeans who own property at home, rent it out for a steady income, and then enjoy a much more comfortable lifestyle across the straits.

It's simple. Collect in SGD, spend in IDR. And if you're a homeowner in Singapore, this could be your future too.

In recent years, there's been an increase in Singaporeans living in Indonesia; not just travellers, but also digital nomads. Bali, in particular, has become the go-to destination for these remote workers. Last year, the island saw a 40% increase in the number of digital nomads. And based on how many visas were granted annually, it is estimated that Bali houses at least 3,000 digital nomads today.

And the government is leaning into this trend. This year, they have extended the digital nomad visa (E33G), which allows foreigners to live in Indonesia for one year (with the option for renewal) while working for employers outside the country. For Singaporeans with property assets back home, this creates a win-win situation: you secure SGD rental income while enjoying low-cost living in Indonesia

Requirements are quite straightforward. Applicants must demonstrate a stable source of income from outside Indonesia. Meaning you'll need to prove that you can support yourself without taking up local employment. Generally, you'll be asked to provide:

• Proof of income (such as bank statements or contracts)
• Valid health insurance
• A clean criminal record

In 2023, Jim and Catheryn, a couple from Singapore, decided to relocate to Medan, Indonesia after their HDB reached MOP. They were travelling a lot and weren't using their flat much, so why not rent it out?

They shared that their three-bedroom condo in Jakarta costs just about 20% of their HDB's valuation. Plus, since everything is cheaper, they can get the same experiences for half the price. But the best part is they can use their HDB rental income to fund their travels.

Still unsure? Let's compare the cost of living in Singapore against some cities in Indonesia in 2025. Let's start with housing.

It's tricky to pin down the exact figure for housing in Indonesia (I could easily find figures for Singapore's housing using our PropNex Investment Suite, a proprietary tool we developed to give clients reliable data on property values and market trends). However, even at the higher end of these estimates, prices remain far below Singapore's most affordable options.

Again, it's hard to find firm stats on Indonesian spendings, but based on these estimates, the differences are clear as day. And while Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya already provide massive savings compared to Singapore, smaller cities can cut costs even further.

In the past five years, Singapore's rental market has performed really well. For example, 3-bedroom condo rentals in the CCR, RCR, and OCR have shot up by 67%, 56%, and 44%, respectively. The average price this year ranges from $4,597 to $8,002, depending on the region.

Source: PropNex Investment Suite

In the same period, 4-room HDB rental in the CCR, RCR, and OCR have shot up by 57%, 60%, and 65%, respectively. Average price within 2025 ranges from $3,185 to $3,925, depending on the region.

Source: PropNex Investment Suite

So, worst-case scenario, you make $3,185 per month in rental income. If you live in Singapore, you can't rely on this solely to cover all your expenses. But in Indonesia, this amount is more than enough to lead quite a comfortable life.

What makes things even more compelling is the strength of the Singapore dollar, especially against regional currencies like the Indonesian rupiah. SGD has consistently held firm against IDR, which means your rental income stretches further when spent in Indonesia, but also increases in value as long as you stay there.

It really comes down to where you are in your life. If you've got kids in school or ageing parents (basically, you've put down roots in Singapore), then moving abroad would not be ideal. There's a certain stability and convenience here that's hard to walk away from.

But if you're still relatively free of commitments, no kids yet, working remotely, or living the digital nomad lifestyle, then why not?

At the end of the day, this isn't about leaving Singapore for good. It's about recognising that owning a property here gives you flexibility. Whether you stay put or spend a few years abroad, your home in Singapore is an asset that works for you. And collecting rent in SGD whilst spending in IDR is just one way to make that asset work even harder.

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