Compare taxes and see how much you save moving from Malaysia to Singapore
Malaysia and Singapore share a land border and a massive daily commuter corridor — approximately 300,000 workers cross the Johor Bahru–Singapore causeway each day. The tax comparison strongly favours Singapore at all professional salary levels: Singapore's effective income tax rate at SGD 100,000 is approximately 11–13% with no CPF for Employment Pass holders. Malaysia's income tax at equivalent income is approximately 20–22% plus EPF contributions of 11%. Malaysia's advantages are significantly lower cost of living (Kuala Lumpur is 50–60% cheaper than Singapore) and a more accessible professional job market for those without EP-qualifying skills. For high earners choosing between the two jurisdictions, Singapore wins decisively on take-home; for those optimising for lifestyle and purchasing power at lower incomes, Malaysia's lower costs partially offset the tax difference.
Top Rate (above MYR 2M)
Plus EPF 11% employee contribution
Top Rate
No CPF for Employment Pass holders
At SGD 100,000 income:
That is SGD 1,000/month back in your pocket!
| Income | MY Tax | SG Tax | Savings | 10-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SGD 60,000 / ~MYR 207,000 | ~MYR 28,500 income tax + ~MYR 22,770 EPF = ~MYR 51,270 (~25%) | ~SGD 7,950 income tax only = ~SGD 7,950 (~13%) | Singapore saves ~SGD 8,500 | SGD 85,000 |
| SGD 100,000 / ~MYR 345,000 | ~MYR 62,100 income tax + ~MYR 37,950 EPF = ~MYR 100,050 (~29%) | ~SGD 11,950 income tax only = ~SGD 11,950 (~12%) | Singapore saves ~SGD 12,000 | SGD 120,000 |
| SGD 150,000 / ~MYR 518,000 | ~MYR 117,900 income tax + ~MYR 56,980 EPF = ~MYR 174,880 (~34%) | ~SGD 21,150 income tax only = ~SGD 21,150 (~14%) | Singapore saves ~SGD 23,000 | SGD 230,000 |
| SGD 200,000 / ~MYR 690,000 | ~MYR 186,300 income tax + ~MYR 75,900 EPF = ~MYR 262,200 (~38%) | ~SGD 33,150 income tax only = ~SGD 33,150 (~17%) | Singapore saves ~SGD 35,000 | SGD 350,000 |
| SGD 300,000 / ~MYR 1,035,000 | ~MYR 327,000 income tax + ~MYR 113,850 EPF = ~MYR 440,850 (~43%) | ~SGD 61,950 income tax only = ~SGD 61,950 (~21%) | Singapore saves ~SGD 50,000 | SGD 500,000 |
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Set Up Compliant Employment in Malaysia or Singapore →The Johor Bahru–Singapore causeway is one of the world's busiest border crossings. Malaysians commute to Singapore for work because Singapore salaries in professional, tech, and finance roles are typically 2–4× higher than equivalent KL roles in SGD terms — and even after accounting for the SGD/MYR exchange rate (~3.45:1), the net gain is substantial. For a Malaysian earning SGD 80,000 in Singapore, the after-tax take-home is approximately SGD 68,000/year. Living in JB (commuting ~45–60 min by bus/car), housing costs drop to MYR 1,500–3,000/month vs SGD 3,000–6,000 in Singapore. The economic arbitrage is significant: Singapore income, Malaysia cost of living.
Malaysia's EPF (Employees Provident Fund) requires 11% employee contribution + 13% employer contribution = 24% of salary into EPF. Unlike Singapore's CPF (which is exempt for EP holders), EPF applies to Malaysian citizens and permanent residents. EPF funds are accessible at age 55 or for specific purposes (housing, education, medical). Singapore's CPF (employee 20% + employer 17% = 37%) only applies to Singapore citizens and PRs — foreign EP holders are fully exempt, making Singapore EP holder take-home dramatically higher than a comparable Singapore PR at the same gross.
Generally no — if you are physically working in Singapore and earning from a Singapore employer, that income is Singapore-source and taxed in Singapore, not Malaysia. The Malaysia-Singapore double taxation agreement clarifies residency and source rules. However, if you are physically in Malaysia and working remotely for a Singapore employer, the income may become Malaysian-source and subject to Malaysian income tax. The 2022 change making foreign-source income taxable on remittance applies to passive income (dividends, interest, rental from abroad) — employment income earned physically abroad is generally exempt.
Malaysia's DE Rantau visa allows foreign digital professionals (tech workers, content creators, digital marketers, etc.) to live and work remotely in Malaysia for up to 12 months (renewable). Requirements include a minimum monthly income of $24,000/year from non-Malaysian clients/employers and proof of digital employment. Income earned from non-Malaysian sources under DE Rantau is treated as foreign-source income — if not remitted to Malaysia, it remains outside the Malaysian tax net. The visa provides access to Malaysia's low cost of living and co-working ecosystem while maintaining tax obligations in your home country or employer's jurisdiction.
Singapore is significantly better on take-home at all professional salary levels. At SGD 100,000 in Singapore, take-home is approximately SGD 88,000 (no CPF for EP). At equivalent MYR income in Malaysia with EPF, take-home is approximately 71% of gross. Singapore salaries in tech and finance also tend to run higher in absolute terms. Malaysia's counter-arguments: much lower housing costs (MYR 2,000–3,000/month in KL vs SGD 3,000–7,000 in Singapore), a large South Asian community, more accessible PR pathway, and lower overall cost of living. For career-building and tax efficiency, Singapore; for lifestyle and housing affordability, Malaysia.