The Cheapest and Most Expensive HDB Estates for Resale Flats in 2022

Looking for a resale flat? We’ve filtered out the cheapest and most expensive HDB estates for your comparison. But remember, a cheap neighbourhood doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good or bad estate to live in. It all boils down to your priorities and financial situation to pick the best one for yourself.

Shopping for a house can be extremely daunting. For many, it is arguably the biggest purchase you will make in your lifetime. On top of deciding on the estate you want, you also have to go through the tedious process of house viewings, negotiating, and eventually figuring out the best way to pay for it.

We’ve narrowed down the cheapest and most expensive HDB estates for resale flats. If you’re on a tight budget, you can always find an estate that is cheaper but make sure you don’t compromise on your priorities. After all, this will be the house that you’re living in for the next couple of years, if not for good.

Though the price disparity for these estates can be quite significant, it’s important to look for a house that ticks off all your main criteria. 

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Most expensive HDB estates

When it comes to expensive neighbourhoods, you will expect to find them in prime locations where travelling to the CBD is extremely convenient. On top of that, they are also mostly mature estates that boast a throng of amenities featuring dining options, shops, retail and facilities for recreational activities.

1. Toa Payoh

With Toa Payoh MRT station’s prime location, it is no wonder that resale flats in Toa Payoh command such a premium price. It’s just two stops away from Orchard MRT station on the North-South Line (NSL), making travelling convenient for the CBD-goers. If you’re driving or taking private transport, Toa Payoh is also easily accessible to other parts of Singapore via the Pan Island Expressway (PIE). 

Aside from its connectivity, Toa Payoh is also known for its wide array of amenities. Foodies will be spoilt for choice, as the Toa Payoh HDB hub located beside the MRT station has a range of dining options. From restaurants to hawker centres, food choices are aplenty.

On top of that, SAFRA Toa Payoh is also a stone’s throw away, with sports facilities like a games room, indoor squash courts, indoor badminton courts, karaoke rooms and much more. There’s also the 3,500 seater Toa Payoh Stadium and an adjoining sports hall that has swimming pools and gyms for residents.

2. Queenstown

Also known as Singapore’s first satellite town, Queenstown is also located near the central area. In under 15 minutes by train and by car, you’ll be able to reach the CBD. There are also a number of schools nearby like Fairfield Methodist School, New Town Primary School and Queenstown Primary School that would appeal to parent homebuyers.

There are also plenty of shopping malls nearby including Queensway Shopping Centre and Anchorpoint Shopping Centre, and even IKEA Alexandra a couple of minutes away. For quick medical access, there are Gleneagles Hospital and Alexandra Hospital in the vicinity.

For recreational activities, Queenstown Community Centre and Leng Kee Community Centre are nearby.

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3. Bukit Merah

Bukit Merah is located in a prime location in Singapore, making travelling extremely convenient and hassle-free. The nearest MRT station is Redhill MRT station, directly beside Queenstown estate and hence justifying its high price tags for resale flats in the area. Commuting isn’t going to be a problem, as Redhill MRT station is on the East-West Line (EWL), connecting you to Raffles Place MRT station in just four stops. There are also a number of bus services that run in the area.

There are also many nearby malls within the vicinity, including Anchorpoint Shopping Centre, Bukit Merah Central and even VivoCity, Singapore’s largest shopping mall. If you’re a foodie, you’ll be thrilled to find Red Hill food centre just a couple of minutes away, as well as IKEA Alexandra which serves up delectable fare. There are also a number of community centres nearby if you’re seeking entertainment.

4. Bishan

Bishan is also another highly-sought after estate because of its high connectivity. Situated on both the NSL and Circle Line, you can get to essentially anywhere from Bishan. Just two stops away you’ll arrive at Serangoon which connects you to the North-East Line (NEL), while four stops away on the NSL you’ll reach Newton MRT station which is on the Downtown Line. You’ll also be able to reach Orchard MRT in under 20 minutes by train.

Located at Bishan MRT station is Junction 8, a major shopping centre with a range of dining options and retail shops. There are also several highly-rated local hawker centres nearby, including the famous Blk 284 Kway Chap. If you love the great outdoors, there’s also the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and the Bishan Active Park for outdoor activities.

With all these perks of living in Bishan, it is no wonder that the prices for resale flats in the neighbourhood are so pricey.

5. Marine Parade

The nearest MRT stations in Marine Parade estate are Paya Lebar and Eunos MRT station, which are both located on the EWL. Paya Lebar also connects you to the Circle Line for easy access to other parts of Singapore like Serangoon and Harbourfront. Driving is also easy-peasy, as Marine Parade is connected to the ECP expressway. There are also a number of bus services that run through the estate. In addition, Changi Airport is also about a 15-minute drive away.

When it comes to educational institutions, Marine Parade is home to a number of renowned schools, such as Tao Nan School, St. Stephen’s School, CHIJ Katong Convent, St. Patrick’s Secondary School, Victoria Junior College and Temasek Junior College.

There are also numerous amenities located in close proximity. You can find Katong Mall, Parkway Parade, Roxy Square and Joo Chiat Complex which offer a myriad of dining options, as well as other facilities like the Marine Parade Community Library and Marine Parade Community Building which houses basketball courts and sports halls. You can also drop by East Coast Park nearby for outdoor activities.

Looking for a house? Check out the best home loans in Singapore for the lowest interest rates.

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Cheapest HDB estates

Living in an affordable HDB estate doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a bad deal if you’re able to find units that are nearer to a mall or one that is near an MRT station to make it more convenient for you. It might be because these estates are non-mature estates that are not as developed and densely packed with amenities yet, unlike mature estates.

1. Sembawang

Though Sembawang is one of the cheapest neighbourhoods for resale flats, living in Sembawang isn’t as inconvenient as you think. Both Sembawang MRT station and the nearby Canberra MRT station are located on the NSL. This makes travelling to Orchard and Dhoby Ghaut just a 30-minute journey by MRT. Sembawang also has an interchange that services many bus routes to all parts of Singapore.

The lack of food options isn’t a problem here as well, as there are two malls in Sembawang, Sembawang Shopping Centre and Sun Plaza. If you’re willing to travel a bit further, you’ll also find Canberra Plaza not too far away.

If you need some fresh air, you can head over to Sembawang Park for some light outdoor activities. Sembawang is also home to the famous Sembawang Hot Springs, a perfect place for a family day out.

2. Yishun

We’ve seen our fair share of horror stories in the headlines from Yishun, but don’t let that blind you to  the perks of living in the estate. To get to town , you can take four stations on the NSL down to Bishan to connect to the Circle Line. Four more stops down the line will get you to Newton, the intersection of the Downtown Line. If you prefer taking the bus, there’s also the Yishun Bus Interchange.

As with the rest of Singapore, dining isn’t going to be a problem here. You can find a multitude of hawker centres like the modern Yishun Park Hawker Centre managed by Timbre + Hawkers by Timbre Group and Chong Pang Hawker Centre serving impeccable dishes, as well as the family-friendly ORTO for al fresco restaurant dining. Northpoint City also offers a range of dining options and retail shops and is also located right beside Golden Village.

Healthcare is also widely accessible here, with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Community Hospital and Yishun Polyclinic all within close vicinity.  

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3. Woodlands

Located near the northern tip of the island, Woodlands is still efficiently connected to other parts of Singapore via train, major roads, and expressways. Within close proximity of Woodlands, you’ll find three MRT stations — Woodlands, Marsiling, and Admiralty which are all found on the NSL. It also has the Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange, as well as the Woodlands Checkpoint that connects you to Johor Bahru.

The largest mall that you can find there is Causeway Point, which holds a cinema, a Korean and Japanese supermarket, as well as unlimited food options and retail shops. Other malls nearby include Woodgrove Shopping Centre, Woodlands North Plaza and City Square. Bookworms can also head to the Woodlands Regional Library for entertainment or educational purposes.

There are also various community clubs within the area, hospitals and even a nursing home.

4. Sengkang

Located on the purple line, Sengkang is highly accessible by MRT. If you take just four stops down the NEL, you will arrive at Serangoon which connects you to the Circle Line as well. You can also hop onto a number of bus services that run through Sengkang Bus Interchange.

Just beside Sengkang MRT station is Compass One, the biggest mall in Sengkang. You can also find smaller malls like Seletar Mall, Rivervale Mall and Rivervale Plaza for your dining and retail needs.

For healthcare facilities, the community is well served by  Sengkang General Hospital, Sengkang Community Hospital and Sengkang Polyclinic l within the area. With regards to lifestyle, there are Sengkang Community Centre, Sengkang Sports Centre, Sengkang ActiveSG Swimming Complex, Anchorvale Community Club and Rivervale Community Club all within the neighbourhood for recreational activities.

5. Jurong West

Though Jurong West is generally considered an industrial estate, there are still many amenities around the area for residents to enjoy. The nearest MRTs are Lakeside and Boon Lay MRT station, which are both on the EWL. 

One of the best perks of living in this neighbourhood is its numerous schools in the neighbourhood, including renowned schools like River Valley High School, Millennia Institute, Jurong Junior College and Nanyang Technological University.

Within the area, you'll also find malls like Gek Poh Shopping Mall, Pioneer Mall, Jurong Point Shopping Centre and Taman Jurong Shopping Centre for your quick fixes. 

If recreational activities are your priority, there’s Jurong Green Community Club, Jurong Spring Community Club, Gek Poh Community Centre and SAFRA Jurong all in close proximity.