List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees

Last updated

These are lists of the world's most expensive cities for expatriate employees (not residents), according to the Mercer, [1] ECA International [2] and Xpatulator.com [3] cost-of-living surveys. Other surveys from online collaborative indices, such as Numbeo, [4] Expatistan, [5] or Eardex [6] are not covered by this article.

Contents

Various factors enter into a city's cost-of-living for expatriate employees, such as monetary value, consumer confidence, investment, interest rates, exchange rates of the country's currency, and housing costs. This list does not account for cost-of-living savings accrued to local citizens through government-subsidized housing, health care, education, differences in taxation, and many other factors irrelevant to expatriates. Cost of living may be much higher for expatriates than for local residents in a developing country, especially if expatriates expect a standard of living similar to a developed country.

Mercer

Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Island Skyline 2009.jpg
Hong Kong, China
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan Panorama of Ashgabat.jpg
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Tokyo, Japan Skyscrapers of Shinjuku 2009 January.jpg
Tokyo, Japan
Singapore Singapore Merlion-at-Marina-Bay-01.jpg
Singapore

Mercer's Cost of Living surveys are taken in March of each year. The survey covers 207 cities around the world and measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment. It is designed to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees. New York is used as the base city and all other cities are compared against it. The cost of housing plays an important part in determining where cities are ranked.

Two main factors determine a city’s ranking in Mercer’s survey – the relative strength of the relevant currency against the US dollar over the prior 12 months and price movements over the prior 12 months compared to those in New York City as the base.

Top ten locations surveyed (2022) [7]
RankCityCountry
1 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
2 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
3 Geneva
4 Basel
5 Bern
6 Tel Aviv Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
7 New York Flag of the United States.svg  United States
8 Singapore Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
9 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
10 Beijing Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Top ten locations surveyed (2021) [8] [9]
RankCityCountry
1 Ashgabat Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
2 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
3 Beirut Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
4 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
5 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
6 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
7 Singapore Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
8 Geneva Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
9 Beijing Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
10 Bern Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Top ten locations surveyed (2020) [10]
RankCityCountry
1 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
2 Ashgabat Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
3 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
4 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
5 Singapore Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
6 New York Flag of the United States.svg  United States
7 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
8 Bern Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
9 Geneva
10 Beijing Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Top ten locations surveyed (2019) [11]
RankCityCountry
1 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
2 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
3 Singapore Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
4 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
5 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
6 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
7 Ashgabat Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
8 Beijing Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
9 New York Flag of the United States.svg  United States
10 Shenzhen Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Top ten locations surveyed (2018) [12]
RankCityCountry
1 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
2 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
3 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
4 Singapore Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
5 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
6 Luanda Flag of Angola.svg  Angola
7 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
8 N’Djamena Flag of Chad.svg  Chad
9 Beijing Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
10 Bern Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Top ten locations surveyed (2017) [13]
RankCityCountry
1 Luanda Flag of Angola.svg  Angola
2 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
3 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
4 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
5 Singapore Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
6 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
7 Geneva Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
8 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
9 New York Flag of the United States.svg  United States
10 Bern Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Top ten locations surveyed (2016) [14] [15]
RankCityCountry
1 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
2 Luanda Flag of Angola.svg  Angola
3 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
4 Singapore Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
5 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
6 Kinshasa Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo
7 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
8 Geneva Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
9 N’Djamena Flag of Chad.svg  Chad
10 Beijing Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Top ten locations surveyed (2015) [16] [15]
RankCityCountry
1 Luanda Flag of Angola.svg  Angola
2 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
3 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
4 Singapore Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
5 Geneva Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
6 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
7 Beijing
8 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
9 Bern Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
10 N’Djamena Flag of Chad.svg  Chad

ECA International

Zurich, Switzerland Zurich.jpg
Zürich, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland Geneve 2005 001 Ork.ch.jpg
Geneva, Switzerland
Basel, Switzerland Basel - Munsterpfalz1.jpg
Basel, Switzerland
Bern, Switzerland The Zytglogge clock tower.jpg
Bern, Switzerland

Every March and September, ECA International calculates the cost of living for expatriates in almost 400 cities around the world. The survey does not include certain living costs such as accommodation, utilities (electricity, gas, water costs), car purchase and school fees. These are usually compensated for separately in expatriate packages from cost of living allowances.

Top 20 cities surveyed (2022) [17]
RankingCityCountry
1 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
2 New York Flag of the United States.svg  United States
3 Geneva Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
4 London Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
5 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
6 Tel Aviv Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
7 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
8 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
9 Guangzhou
10 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Top 20 cities surveyed (2021) [18]
RankingCityCountry
1 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
2 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
3 Geneva Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
4 New York Flag of the United States.svg  United States
5 London Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
6 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
7 Tel Aviv Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
8 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
9 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
10 Guangzhou
Top 20 cities surveyed (2020) [19]
RankingCityCountry
1 Ashgabat Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
2 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
3 Geneva
4 Basel
5 Bern
6 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
7 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
8 Tel Aviv Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
9 Jerusalem
10 Yokohama Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Top 20 cities surveyed (2019) [20]
RankingCityCountry
1 Ashgabat Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
2 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
3 Geneva
4 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
5 Basel Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
6 Bern
7 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
8 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
9 Tel Aviv Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
10 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Top 20 cities surveyed (2018) [21]
RankingCityCountry
1 Ashgabat Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
2 Geneva Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
3 Zürich
4 Basel
5 Bern
6 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
7 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
8 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
9 Oslo Flag of Norway.svg  Norway
10 Stavanger
Top 20 cities surveyed (2017) [22]
RankingCityCountry
1 Luanda Flag of Angola.svg  Angola
2 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
3 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
4 Geneva
5 Basel
6 Bern
7 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
8 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
9 Caracas Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela
10 Khartoum Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan
Top 20 cities surveyed (2016) [23]
RankingCityCountry
1 Kinshasa Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo
2 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
3 Geneva
4 Basel
5 Bern
6 Freetown Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone
7 Tokyo Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
8 Luanda Flag of Angola.svg  Angola
9 Hong Kong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
10 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Top 20 cities surveyed (2015) [2]
RankingCityCountry
1 Juba Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan
2 Luanda Flag of Angola.svg  Angola
3 Zürich Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
4 Geneva
5 Bern
6 Basel
7 Kinshasa Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo
8 Shanghai Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
9 Beijing
10 Seoul Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Hong Kong</span>

The economy of Hong Kong is a highly developed free-market economy. It is characterised by low taxation, almost free port trade and a well-established international financial market. Its currency, called the Hong Kong dollar, is legally issued by three major international commercial banks, and is pegged to the US dollar. Interest rates are determined by the individual banks in Hong Kong to ensure that they are market driven. There is no officially recognised central banking system, although the Hong Kong Monetary Authority functions as a financial regulatory authority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luanda</span> Capital of Angola

Luanda is the capital and largest city of Angola. It is Angola's primary port, and its major industrial, cultural and urban centre. Located on Angola's northern Atlantic coast, Luanda is Angola's administrative centre, its chief seaport, and also the capital of the Luanda Province. Luanda and its metropolitan area is the most populous Portuguese-speaking capital city in the world and the most populous Lusophone city outside Brazil, with over 8.3 million inhabitants in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Expatriate</span> Person living outside of their country

An expatriate is a person who resides outside their country of citizenship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cost of living</span> Cost to maintain a standard of living

Cost of living is the cost of maintaining a certain standard of living. Changes in the cost of living over time can be operationalized in a cost-of-living index. Cost of living calculations are also used to compare the cost of maintaining a certain standard of living in different geographic areas. Differences in cost of living between locations can be measured in terms of purchasing power parity rates. An sharp rise in the cost of living can trigger a cost of living crisis where purchasing power is lost and the previous lifestyle is no longer affordable.

City quality of life indices are lists of cities that are ranked according to a defined measure of living conditions. In addition to considering the provision of clean water, clean air, adequate food and shelter, many indexes also measure more subjective elements including a city's capacity to generate a sense of community and offer hospitable settings for all, especially young people, to develop social skills, a sense of autonomy and identity.

The human resource consulting industry has emerged from management consulting and addresses human resource management tasks and decisions.

The following are international rankings of Malaysia.

Note: For rankings with negative connotations, the orders are inverted such that the best country/regions are always ranked "1st".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Promenade</span> Housing estate in Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong

The Grand Promenade is a high-rise residential development located at 38 Tai Hong Street, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It is developed by Henderson Land Development and its subsidiary, The Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Co Ltd. in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South East Asian and Hong Kong property markets</span>

Ever since the 1997 Asian financial crisis, property markets have greatly developed through the years. Asian governments have improved the financial stance associated with the structure of housing finance, allowing more access to a diverse range of mortgages products.

The following are some international rankings for Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ECA International</span>

ECA International provides data, software services, consultancy and training to help companies manage compensation and benefits for international workers moving around the world on a short-term, long-term or permanent basis.

The real estate sector in Kenya has seen a boom that began somewhere in the mid to late 2000s because the property market is responding to increased demand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Numbeo</span> Crowd-sourced online database

Numbeo is a Serbian crowd-sourced online database of perceived consumer prices, real property prices, and quality of life metrics. The website was founded in April 2009 by former Google employee Mladen Adamović, to enable users to share and compare information about the cost of living between countries and cities. Since 2012, the website has been operated by NUMBEO DOO Beograd-Palilula, a Serbian private limited company run by Adamović. According to Adamović, the website earns money through advertising and the sale of subscriptions to its API.

There are over 100,000 Australians in Hong Kong, with most being Chinese Australians. Many Hong Kong Australians hold dual citizenship of Australia and Hong Kong. Although, some are non-Chinese Asian or White Hong Kong people. Australian business people are based in the city, which is an important financial centre and is also seen as a gateway to the China market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shekou</span> Neighborhood in Shenzhen, China

Shekou is an area at the southern tip of Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. It faces Yuen Long, Hong Kong across the Shenzhen Bay. It has been designated as a Free Trade Zone by the government, alongside Qianhai, Hengqin and Nansha New Area.

The following are international rankings of Shanghai by categories.

<i>Expats</i> (miniseries) American drama miniseries

Expats is an American drama television miniseries created by Lulu Wang based on the 2016 novel The Expatriates by Janice Y. K. Lee that premiered on Amazon Prime Video on January 26, 2024.

References

  1. "Mercer's 2013 Cost of Living Survey City Rankings – Global Overview". Mercer. July 23, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Hong Kong now more expensive than Tokyo for expatriates". ECA International. June 11, 2015. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  3. "Cost of Living Rankings for 2014". Xpatulator. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  4. "Cost of Living Index for 2012". Numbeo. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  5. "Expatistan Cost of Living Index". Expatistan. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  6. Eardex. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  7. Gilchrist, Karen (2022-06-29). "These are the most expensive places to work abroad in 2022". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  8. "Turkmenistan's capital tops list of most expensive cities for expats". BBC News. 22 June 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  9. McKeever, Vicky (2021-06-23). "These are the most expensive cities for working abroad in 2021". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  10. "Mercer's 2020 Cost of Living - City Rankings". Mercer. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  11. "Mercer's 25th annual Cost of Living Survey finds cities in Asia most expensive locations for employees working abroad". Mercer. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  12. Neild, Barry (2018-06-28). "World's most expensive cities for expats in 2018 revealed". CNN. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  13. "Mercer's 2017 Cost of Living - City Rankings". Mercer. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  14. "Mercer's 2016 Cost of Living - City Rankings". Mercer. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  15. 1 2 https://www.mercer.com/content/dam/mercer/attachments/global/Talent/cost-of-living/gl-2016-cost-of-living-mobility-survey-mercer.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  16. "Mercer's 2015 Cost of Living - City Rankings". Mercer. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  17. "Hong Kong continues its reign as the most expensive location in the world". www.eca-international.com. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  18. "Hong Kong remains the most expensive location in the world". www.eca-international.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  19. "Singapore remains in the top 20 most expensive locations in the world, despite impact of Covid-19". www.eca-international.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  20. "Singapore enters the top 15 most expensive locations in the world". www.eca-international.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  21. "Hong Kong now the most expensive location in East Asia for expatriates". www.eca-international.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  22. "Swiss cities dominate list of most expensive locations in the world for expats". www.eca-international.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  23. "Kinshasa tops the global rankings of most expensive cities for expatriates". www.eca-international.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.