Rental & Investment
Renting at Twin Tower as a Singapore Commuter: Full Cost Breakdown
Quick answer
A Singapore commuter renting at Twin Tower can expect asking rents of about RM2,300–3,000 for a studio or RM850–1,980 for a room (Oct 2026). Adding internet, utilities, a CW2 bus commute (about S$62 a month) and food, our scenarios total roughly S$900–1,400 a month, plus about 3.5 months' rent upfront.
In this guide
- Key takeaways
- Why do Singapore commuters choose Twin Tower?
- How much is rent at Twin Tower for a commuter?
- What do you pay upfront to move in?
- What are the monthly running costs?
- How much does the daily commute cost?
- Full monthly budget: three commuter scenarios
- How does this compare with renting in Singapore?
- What changes when the RTS Link opens — and how much does the exchange rate matter?
- Practical checklist before you rent
- Conclusion
- Sources
Thinking about how much it costs to live in JB and work in Singapore? Renting at Twin Tower Residence, beside the Bukit Chagar RTS Link station and a short walk from JB CIQ, is one of the most practical ways to do it. This guide breaks down every cost a Singapore commuter faces — rent, move-in money, utilities, internet, daily commuting and the exchange rate — with worked examples you can adapt to your own budget.
Key takeaways
- Asking rents at Twin Tower in Oct 2026: about RM2,300–3,000 for a studio, RM3,000–3,500 for a 2-bedroom, and RM850–1,980 for a single room (indicative).
- At about RM3.16 to S$1 (OFX, 29 Oct 2026), a RM2,650 studio works out to roughly S$840 a month.
- Move-in cash is typically around 3.5 months’ rent (2+1 deposit plus a utility deposit), plus tenancy stamp duty.
- Today you can walk to JB CIQ and take a bus or the KTM Shuttle Tebrau; the RTS Link is expected to open in February 2027.
- Compared with a Woodlands HDB flat (median S$2,600 for a 3-room in 2Q 2026), the rent saving can be significant — but factor in time and commuting costs.
Why do Singapore commuters choose Twin Tower?
For a daily cross-border commuter, every minute between the front door and the checkpoint matters. Twin Tower Residence sits on Jalan Tengku Azizah in Bukit Chagar, right beside the JB terminus of the Johor Bahru–Singapore RTS Link. JB CIQ (Bangunan Sultan Iskandar) and JB Sentral are within walking distance, so you can skip the car and the taxi queue altogether.
Once the RTS Link opens, the journey to Woodlands North — about 4 km — takes roughly five minutes, with immigration handled at the stations. On 2 October 2026 the authorities said passenger service is now expected to begin in February 2027. Woodlands North is also a station on Singapore’s Thomson-East Coast Line, which makes onward travel simpler. Read more in our RTS Link guide.
The building itself suits working adults: compact, furnished layouts, a pool, gym and 24-hour security, and malls such as City Square and KOMTAR JBCC within walking distance for after-work errands.
How much is rent at Twin Tower for a commuter?
The table shows public asking rents on Mudah in October 2026, converted at the OFX rate of RM3.16 per S$1 on 29 October 2026. Both rent and exchange rate move, so treat the figures as indicative.
| Option | Asking rent (RM/month) | Approx. S$/month | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single room | RM850–1,980 | S$270–625 | Lowest budget, shared living |
| Studio (599 sq ft) | RM2,300–3,000 | S$730–950 | Solo commuter wanting privacy |
| 2 Bedroom (882 sq ft) | RM3,000–3,500 | S$950–1,110 | Couples or two sharers |
| 2+1 Bedroom (1,054 sq ft) | About RM4,000 | About S$1,265 | Small family or home office |
Conversion check: RM2,300 ÷ 3.16 = S$728; RM3,000 ÷ 3.16 = S$949; RM3,500 ÷ 3.16 = S$1,108. For more detail by unit type, see our Twin Tower rent guide.
What do you pay upfront to move in?
Malaysian landlords commonly ask for a “2+1” deposit: two months’ rent as a refundable security deposit plus one month’s rent in advance, often with a utility deposit of about half a month. These are set by agreement, not by law, so confirm them before you commit.
Tenancy agreements must also be stamped. Since 1 January 2025 the duty is based on the full annual rent at RM1 per RM250 for a tenancy of up to one year (RM3 per RM250 for over one and up to three years). From 2026, stamping is done online through LHDN’s e-Duti Setem.
Worked example: studio at RM2,650 a month, one-year lease
| Item | Calculation | RM |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit | 2 × RM2,650 | 5,300 |
| Advance rent | 1 × RM2,650 | 2,650 |
| Utility deposit | 0.5 × RM2,650 | 1,325 |
| Stamp duty | RM31,800 ÷ 250 = 127.2 → 128 × RM1 | 128 |
| Total move-in cash | 9,403 |
At RM3.16 per S$1, that is about S$2,976. The deposits (RM6,625) are refundable at the end of the tenancy, less any agreed deductions.
What are the monthly running costs?
Internet
Hybrid workers need reliable broadband. Unifi’s website listed home fibre plans in late 2026 from RM89 a month for 100Mbps and RM129 for 300Mbps (promotional pricing that can change). Some furnished units already include internet in the rent — ask before you sign.
Electricity and water
These depend heavily on how long the air-conditioning runs. Commuters who are out of the flat on weekdays usually use less than people working from home. Ask the landlord or the outgoing tenant for recent bills to set a realistic figure.
Groceries, meals and errands
Living in the city centre means hawker stalls, cafés, supermarkets and two big malls are on foot. Many commuters find their JB food bill well below what they spent in Singapore, though this depends entirely on habits.
How much does the daily commute cost?
Your commuting cost depends on the mode you choose. These are the main options from Twin Tower today, with fares we verified in September–October 2026:
| Mode | JB → Singapore fare | Singapore → JB fare | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causeway Link CW2 bus (from JB CIQ) | RM2.60 to Woodlands Checkpoint | S$2.00 (card) from Woodlands Checkpoint | Walk to JB CIQ; cashless payment |
| KTM Shuttle Tebrau (JB Sentral – Woodlands) | RM5 | S$5 | About 5-minute ride; book ahead |
| RTS Link (Bukit Chagar – Woodlands North) | Not yet announced | Not yet announced | Service expected February 2027 |
Worked example: bus commuter, 22 working days
Morning: RM2.60 on CW2 to Woodlands Checkpoint. Evening: S$2.00 back to JB CIQ. Daily cost ≈ (RM2.60 ÷ 3.16) + S$2.00 = S$0.82 + S$2.00 = S$2.82. Monthly: S$2.82 × 22 = about S$62, before any onward MRT or bus fares in Singapore.
Worked example: KTM Shuttle Tebrau commuter
Morning RM5 (≈ S$1.58) + evening S$5 = S$6.58 a day. Over 22 days: S$6.58 × 22 = about S$145. The train offers a predictable ride but limited seats, so it suits those who can book in advance.
What about driving?
Driving a Malaysian-registered car into Singapore requires a Vehicle Entry Permit. Singapore has announced the daily VEP fee for Malaysian cars will rise from S$35 to S$50 from 1 January 2027, and the 10 free VEP days a year will be removed. For a daily commuter, that is a major cost on top of tolls, fuel and parking — another reason residents near the station often go car-free. Compare all modes in our JB–Singapore commute comparison.
Full monthly budget: three commuter scenarios
The budgets below combine the figures above. Utilities and food are illustrative assumptions for planning, not quoted rates — replace them with your own.
| Item (RM/month) | Room renter | Studio, solo | 2-bedroom, two sharers (each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | 1,400 | 2,650 | 1,625 (half of 3,250) |
| Internet | Usually included | 89 | 65 (half of 129) |
| Electricity & water (assumption) | Usually included | 200 | 125 |
| Commute by CW2 bus (≈ S$62) | 196 | 196 | 196 |
| Food & household (assumption) | 1,200 | 1,200 | 1,200 |
| Total RM | 2,796 | 4,335 | 3,211 |
| Approx. S$ (÷ 3.16) | S$885 | S$1,372 | S$1,016 |
Commute line: S$62 × 3.16 = RM196. Totals: room 1,400 + 196 + 1,200 = 2,796; studio 2,650 + 89 + 200 + 196 + 1,200 = 4,335; sharer 1,625 + 65 + 125 + 196 + 1,200 = 3,211.
How does this compare with renting in Singapore?
HDB’s data for the second quarter of 2026 shows a median monthly rent of S$2,600 for a 3-room flat and S$3,100 for a 4-room flat in Woodlands. For individual rooms, Cove’s April 2026 analysis put the median standard room at about S$1,550 and the median master or ensuite room at about S$2,400 across Singapore.
- Studio at Twin Tower vs a standard room in Singapore: about S$840 (RM2,650 ÷ 3.16) vs about S$1,550 — roughly S$710 a month less, for a whole studio instead of a shared flat.
- 2-bedroom at Twin Tower vs a Woodlands 3-room HDB: about S$1,030 (RM3,250 ÷ 3.16) vs S$2,600 — roughly S$1,570 a month less.
The trade-off is time and border unpredictability, which is exactly why living next to the RTS station and within walking distance of CIQ matters.
What changes when the RTS Link opens — and how much does the exchange rate matter?
What is confirmed: the route runs from Bukit Chagar to Woodlands North, about 4 km in roughly five minutes, with immigration at the stations, and passenger service is expected from February 2027. What is not yet confirmed: as of early October 2026, fares and operating hours had not been officially announced, so treat any fare you see online as an estimate. Budget with today’s bus or train fares, then recalculate once official RTS fares are published. If the RTS costs more than the bus, the time saved and the predictability may still be worth it. Follow updates in our RTS fares and immigration guide.
How much does the exchange rate matter?
OFX’s month-end data shows S$1 ranged between about RM3.08 and RM3.19 from late November 2025 to late October 2026. For a RM2,650 studio, that is about S$860 a month at 3.08 and about S$831 at 3.19 — a difference of roughly S$30 a month, or about S$350 a year. If you earn in SGD and spend in MYR, a stronger Singapore dollar works in your favour.
Practical checklist before you rent
- Confirm your entry requirements and any pass or documentation needed to live in Malaysia.
- Check how your employer handles cross-border arrangements, including any hybrid working days.
- Decide room, studio or 2-bedroom based on budget and privacy.
- Agree deposits, who pays utilities and internet, and the minimum tenancy in writing.
- Make sure the tenancy agreement is stamped through e-Duti Setem.
- Set up a simple way to pay rent in ringgit and to manage SGD–MYR conversion.
Want to see what is available now? WhatsApp Darren for the latest Twin Tower units for rent, floor plans and current asking rents, or browse our listings. If you are thinking of buying instead, our guide for Singaporean buyers explains the rules.
Conclusion
For a Singapore commuter, renting at Twin Tower Residence can bring total monthly living costs to roughly S$900–1,400 in our scenarios, compared with a single room alone costing around S$1,550 in Singapore. Add the walk to JB CIQ today and the five-minute RTS Link from early 2027, and it is one of the most efficient ways to live in JB and work in Singapore.
Sources
- OFX – SGD to MYR exchange rate (29 Oct 2026)
- Land Transport Guru – Causeway Link CW2 fares (updated 29 Sep 2026)
- The Money Bees – KTM Shuttle Tebrau prices (Oct 2026)
- LTA – RTS Link service targeted for February 2027
- Asia News Network – Singapore VEP fee for Malaysian cars from 2027
- HDB – Median rents by town and flat type, 2Q 2026
- Cove – How much does it cost to rent in Singapore (Apr 2026)
- Unifi – Home fibre broadband plans
- Speedhome – Tenancy stamp duty rates 2026
- Speedhome – What is a 2+1 deposit
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay rent in Singapore dollars?
Malaysian tenancies are normally agreed in ringgit, but landlord and tenant can agree any payment method in writing. Most commuters keep a Malaysian bank account or use a low-cost transfer service to convert SGD to MYR each month. Agree the currency, amount and due date clearly in the tenancy agreement to avoid disputes when exchange rates move.
Is a room or a studio better for a single commuter?
A room is cheapest (about RM850–1,980 a month on Oct 2026 asking figures) and often includes utilities, but you share space. A studio (about RM2,300–3,000) gives privacy, your own kitchen and a quiet place to work from home. Many commuters start with a room, then move to a studio once they are sure the routine suits them.
How early should I leave home to reach Woodlands on time?
It depends on the day, the mode and queues at both checkpoints, which can change sharply around weekends and holidays. Test your route at your real commuting hours for a week before committing. Once the RTS Link opens with immigration at the stations, journey times should become more predictable for residents near Bukit Chagar.
What is the minimum tenancy period at Twin Tower?
It is set by each landlord. One-year tenancies are the most common for whole units, and some owners offer renewal options. Shorter terms may be possible for rooms or at a higher rent. Remember that tenancy stamp duty rises for leases longer than one year, so factor that into your choice.
Will rents at Twin Tower rise when the RTS opens?
No one can say for certain. Demand from commuters is likely to stay strong around the station, so it is sensible to budget for some upward pressure at renewal. Signing a longer tenancy with a fixed rent, or a renewal option with agreed terms, can give you more certainty.
