- Working from home can save money on commuting, but higher electricity, internet, and home office costs can reduce the overall savings.
- Air conditioning is often the biggest added expense, especially during Singapore’s warmer months.
- Small daily spending, such as food deliveries and coffee runs, can quietly add up over time.
- Home insurance and personal accident insurance may provide valuable protection for your
Work from home has become a common setup across many roles in Singapore, and it carries hidden costs that many employees do not account for when they calculate their true savings. Transport and food costs do fall, but usually by less than assumed. Electricity, the highest hidden cost, is at a record high in 2026, with the regulated tariff rising to 34.78 cents per kWh (including GST), which squeezes the savings further. Electricity, food delivery, unreimbursed home office equipment, and insurance gaps make up the largest hidden costs that Singapore employees miss when calculating their work-from-home savings.
Key takeaways
