Condo or HDB? It's one of the biggest money decisions you'll make in Singapore. Both are homes, but the price, financing, rules and lifestyle are quite different. Here's an honest, no-nonsense comparison. 👇
💰 Price & stamp duty
Condos cost more — sometimes a lot more — than a comparable HDB flat. Both attract Buyer's Stamp Duty. And if it's not your first property, Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) can add a steep amount on top.
🏦 Financing
For an HDB flat you can take an HDB loan (checked only against the 30% Mortgage Servicing Ratio) or a bank loan. For a condo, it's a bank loan only — the MSR doesn't apply, but the 55% Total Debt Servicing Ratio does. Size each up with the HDB affordability and condo affordability calculators.
📋 Rules & eligibility
- HDB: citizenship and income-ceiling rules apply, and there's a 5-year Minimum Occupation Period before you can sell or rent out the whole flat.
- Condo: fewer restrictions — you can rent it out from day one, and foreigners and PRs can buy (subject to ABSD).
🌳 Lifestyle & ongoing cost
Condos come with facilities — pool, gym, security — but also monthly maintenance fees. HDB flats are cheaper to own and run, often give you more space for the money, and come with a strong neighbourhood feel. There's no single right answer; it depends on your budget and what you value.
🧮 Work out what you can afford
Run both the HDB and condo affordability calculators, and — before you commit — check the opportunity costof the money you'd tie up in either.