Rental Yield Map

Gross rental yield across districts

Understanding Rental Yields

Key Takeaways

  • Map data is refreshed from URA, HDB and OneMap APIs — hover any marker for live values.
  • Use the filter panel to narrow results by district, bedroom type, price range, or tenure.
  • Click any marker or polygon to drill down into the underlying property or area detail.

What It Does

Gross rental yield = (annual rent ÷ purchase price) × 100. The benchmarks above help contextualise yields: CPF OA (2.5%) is the risk-free floor, fixed deposits (~3.0%) represent low-risk alternatives, and S-REITs (~5.0%) offer a liquid real estate benchmark. A property yielding below CPF OA is effectively losing money in opportunity cost terms.

Why It Matters

Yield Benchmarks by Segment (2025)

  • CCR: 2.5-3.0% gross yield — lower due to high purchase prices. Best for capital preservation + prestige.
  • RCR: 3.0-3.5% — balanced risk-return profile. Strong expat tenant demand in districts like D3, D15.
  • OCR: 3.5-4.5% — highest yields. Districts like D19 (Punggol/Hougang) and D22 (Jurong) consistently top the charts.

Global Context

Singapore gross yields (3-4%) compare to Dubai (6-10%), Tokyo (4-5%), and London (4-5%). While yields are moderate, Singapore offers strong currency stability, rule of law, and consistent capital appreciation that offset the lower income returns. After deducting mortgage, property tax, maintenance, and agent fees, net yield typically drops to 1.3-1.8%.

How It Works

  • Pan and zoom to the area of Singapore you are interested in.
  • Use the filter panel to narrow results by district, bedroom type, or price range.
  • Hover any marker or polygon for a tooltip with exact values.
  • Click a marker to open the underlying property or area detail page.

Examples

OCR investor screen: finding districts above 3.5% yield at sub-$1.5M entry

Inputs
Layer
Gross rental yield (%)
Segment
OCR (D16–D28)
Yield target
≥ 3.5% gross
Price filter
Condo units below $1.5M (typically 1BR/2BR)
Results
Districts meeting criteria
D27 (Yishun/Sembawang), D19 (Punggol), D28 (Seletar)
Typical yield range
3.6–4.1%
Comparison: CPF OA floor
2.5% — all three districts clear the risk-free benchmark

How to read this: The yield map turns the investor's screen into a visual exercise: districts above 3.5% glow darker. D27 and D28 stand out in the OCR tier — high transaction volume in newer developments (Parc Canberra, Canberra Residences) supports reliable yield data, not thin-market outliers. Cross-reference against the PSF map to confirm the underlying capital cost, then use the Cash Flow Calculator to model net yield after mortgage, property tax, and maintenance fees.

1BR vs 2BR yield comparison: why smaller units outperform in D15

Inputs
District
D15 (Katong/Marine Parade)
Bedroom filter
1BR vs 2BR yield comparison
Layer
Gross yield by bedroom type
Context
Expatriate rental demand area with premium rents
Results
1BR gross yield in D15
~4.2%
2BR gross yield in D15
~3.4%
Yield gap
+0.8% for 1BR
Absolute rent
1BR ~$3,200/mo vs 2BR ~$4,800/mo

How to read this: The bedroom filter reveals a persistent pattern in D15: 1BR units yield more than 2BR despite commanding lower absolute rents, because the price-per-sqft premium for smaller units is partially offset by the rental market's willingness to pay for turnkey compact spaces. An investor buying a D15 1BR at $900K earning $3,200/month achieves 4.2% gross — above the S-REIT benchmark of ~5% adjusted for liquidity premium. Switching to the PSF map confirms 1BR PSF (~$2,100) is above 2BR PSF (~$1,750), explaining the yield compression on 2BR units.

Tips & Pitfalls

Expert Tips

  • Zoom out first to spot macro patterns before diving into individual districts.
  • Compare this map against the rental yield map to find high-demand, low-price outliers.
  • Use the legend to understand colour encoding — the same colour can mean different things on different maps.

Common Pitfalls

  • Judging a district by headline colour alone — the underlying sample size varies wildly across Singapore.
  • Confusing median with mean when both are shown — means are skewed by luxury outliers.
  • Forgetting that new-launch prices are discounted — resale prices are a better benchmark for fair value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the map data come from?
Data is sourced from URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority), HDB, OneMap, and official Singapore government APIs, refreshed monthly.
How often is the map updated?
Transaction-based maps refresh monthly as URA and HDB publish new data. Planning layers (Master Plan, GLS) update as gazetted.
Can I filter by district or bedroom type?
Yes — use the filter panel on the map. Filter state is preserved in the URL so you can share a deep link to a specific view.

Related Resources

Map Browse all maps Insight Rental Yield Insight Calculator District Comparison Calculator Guide Property Guides Calculator Buy-to-Let Calculator Calculator Cash Flow Calculator Guide Investment Hub