Analysing the cost of living is an excellent way of assessing the pros and cons of moving to your chosen destination. It's important to ensure that your salary will allow you to enjoy better living standards including shopping, getting around, and eating out after paying your rent. Expat.com gives you an insight into eight of the world's most expensive cities according to a survey by EuroCost International.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong's ranking among the world's most expensive cities is no longer a surprise, especially since the recent rise of the local currency. Rent is, without any doubt, the main expense for expats in Hong Kong. For example, an 85 m² furnished apartment will cost around US$ 5,348 per month downtown and US$ 3,871 per month in the suburbs, added to US$ 17 for gas, electricity and heating bills for two. Healthcare is also very costly in Hong Kong, so count US$ 44 for a basic health check with a private doctor. To have lunch in the city centre, count around US$ 11 daily. Having a beer with your friends or colleagues after work will cost US$ 8 per pint. Also, getting around by public transportation will cost around US$ 70 per month, unless you prefer to rent or buy a car. Then, count US$ 1.93 per litre for fuel.
Tokyo
If you've chosen to move to Tokyo, better make sure that your job offer comes along with an attractive package. Your daily lunch in the city centre will cost around US$ 10 while dinner for two at the local pub will cost US$ 48. For a beer, count around US$ 4.57 per pint. Rent will be your most significant expense. For a furnished 85 m² apartment, the rent will be US $ 2,330 in the city centre and US$ 1,755 in neighbouring areas while your electricity, gas and heating bills will cost around US$ 211. If you get around by public transportation, count US $ 106 a month or else US$ 1.27 per litre for petrol if you have a car. For Internet, count US$ 40 per month.
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is far from being one of the favourite expat destinations, but if you're planning to move there, you better define your budget beforehand. As in most big cities, rent will be your main expense, so count US$ 2,723 per month for a furnished 85 m² apartment in the city centre and US$ 1,718 per month for the same type of housing in another area. Also, your electricity, gas and heating bills for two can reach up to $ 111! In a city with low internet speeds, count at least US$ 82 per month for an 8 Mbps connection. What if you need healthcare during your stay? Basic consultation with a private doctor costs around US$ 33. Getting around however, is not too expensive by public transportation so you can count US$ 27 per month for your transport unless you want to rent or buy a car. Fuel costs US$ 0,91 per liter.
Geneva
Seeing Geneva in the top five is no longer a surprise. Geneva is world famous not only for its cost of living but also for its high standard of living. If you're looking to move there, you should be ready to rent a furnished 85 m² apartment for US$ 3,367 per month in the city centre and US$ 2,591 per month elsewhere, plus US$ 57 per month for a good internet connection. For lunch, count at least $ 29 US in a restaurant downtown or US$ 16 US in a fast food chain. Regarding your grocery shopping, for half a kilo of local cheese as you like it can cost around US$ 12, and add to that US $ 18 for a good bottle of wine. Regarding healthcare, you better have good medical insurance as a basic consultation with a private doctor costs nearly US $ 129! If you're planning a night out, you will need at least US$ 75 for two at the local pub or US$ 124 for two for the best seats at the theatre. For those who like to keep fit, count US$ 105 per month for a gym membership in the city centre.
Seoul
This year, Seoul climbs one place to the 5th spot. South Korea's capital city has always been one of the most expensive ones in Asia, especially regarding rent. For a furnished 85 m² apartment of sqm, count US$ 1,484 per month on average in the city centre and US$ 1,110 per month nearby. Also, your monthly charges including electricity, gas and heating for two can reach up to US$ 122. For Internet, count around US$ 24 US per month. Among your daily expenses will be US$ 4.44 for a cappuccino, US$ 1.69 for bread for two and $ 8 for lunch. Get around by public transportation will cost some US $ 57 per month, while a single taxi trip on a business day costs around US$ 9. If you're planning a night out, count US$ 103 for two of the best seats at the theatre or $ 18 US for two tickets, and US$ 27 for two at a local restaurant. Monthly gym membership fees in the business district turn around US$ 53 per month.
Singapore
As usual, Singapore was expected in the top 10 even though nothing compares to its high standard of living and quality of life. In the City State, like in most big cities, rent seems to be the most significant expense. A furnished 85 m² apartment will cost $ 2,500 US per month on average in the city centre and $ 1,873 US per month in surrounding areas. Additional charges like electricity, gas and heating can reach up to US$ 111 per month for two people! If you prefer a studio instead, the monthly rent will be around US$ 2,158 in the city centre and US$ 1,374 in the outskirts, not to mention US$ 31 for the Internet. Regarding shopping, ladies beware of that lovely summer dress that costs no less than US$ 42! For a pair of leather men's' shoes, count around US$ 123. For the sporty expats, while your gym membership fees will be around US$ 111 per month, count US$ 100 for a pair of branded sneakers! Among your day to day expenses, there will also be US$ 1.72 for a loaf of bread, US $ 9 for lunch, or US$ 40 for dinner for two at the local restaurant. Using public transportation to get around will cost US$ 67 a month.
Beirut
This year's surprise is Beirut which climbs one place to the 7th spot, mainly due to a recent increase in rent prices in its secured areas. Beirut thus becomes the most expensive city in the Middle East. Since rent prices have increased, you should count at least US $ 1,129 per month for a furnished 85 m² apartment in the most popular neighbourhood and US$ 685 for the same type of accommodation in other areas. Monthly charges for two can reach up to US$ 161! If you ever need healthcare, a basic consultation with a private doctor will cost around US$ 54. Among your daily expenses, there will probably be US$ 5.33 for a cappuccino, $ 0.65 for bread, $ 24 for lunch (or US$ 8 in a fast food chain) and US$ 34 for dinner for two at the local restaurant.
London
Finding London in the top ten isn't even surprising anymore even though it usually makes it in the top five. London is another city where rent is extremely high, so expect that 85 m² apartment in the city centre to cost around US$ 3,261 per month, but you can also find a studio for US$ 2,256 per month. Charges for two, including electricity, gas and heating, can reach up to US$ 213! Getting around by bus or taking the London tube costs nearly US$ 181 per month, and taking a taxi on a business day around US$ 20. Needless to say that the UK has one of the world's most expensive private healthcare systems, so a basic consultation with a private doctor will cost US$ 88!
