Have been working in Singapore for many years. Luckily, I have my own HDB flat. The rental market is pretty good now...heard even a 3-room-flat (2 rooms 1 hall) far away from MRT station is asking rental of $1200 and above. All the best to your room hunting.

1.
For Citizen, PR, Tax resident (foreigner) more than 183 days stay in SG Chargeable Income - Rate (%) - Gross Tax Payable ($)
First $20,000 - 0% - $0
Next $10,000 - 3.5% - $350

First $30,000 - 0 - $350
Next $10,000 - 5.5% - $550

First $40,000 - 0 - $900
Next $40,000 - 8.5% - $3,400

First $80,000 - 0 - $4,300
Next $80,000 - 14% - $11,200

Example
If your chargeable income for YA 2007 is $43,200 ($3600 * 12) (i.e. you earned $43,200 in year 2006), your tax payable would be calculated as below:
First $40,000 $900
Next $3,200 at 8.5% $272
Total tax payable $1,172

source: http://www.iras.gov.sg/irasHome/page03.aspx?id=1190 )

2. Employer will contribute 14.5% (i.e. $522) on top of your salary provided you are a PR. Don't forget you also have to contribute 20% of your salary to CPF (i.e. $720 , nett salary would be $2880). This is only valid if you are a PR and opt for a full CPF contribution.

source: http://ask-us.cpf.gov.sg/hybrid/Themes/CPF...%2FAnnexB%2Epdf

Hi,

You may take a look at the following website as the reference for rental market in sgp

http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10206p.nsf/WP...Menu=Statistics

Something to add on, employee and employer contribute 20% and 14.5% respectively. That would be a whopping 34.5% income saving in CPF monthly. That's alot. In fact, after a few years of working, a person would probably can utilise the CPF savings as downpayment for a HDB flat and monthly instalment is all covered by CPF. IMO, I'm happily living in my own HDB now withtout having to worry about the rental market fluctuation.