Every year, consulting group Mercer surveys the cost of housing, food, transportation, entertainment and other expenses in 214 cities across the globe in an effort to help companies craft compensation allowances for expatriate employees. Here’s a look at the 10 cities that ranked as the most expensive for 2011, as well as a sampling of what basic items in each city will cost you.
Note: The expenses listed are only a handful of the 200 items Mercer surveyed. Survey compares all cities to New York and measures currency movements against the U.S. dollar. The 214 cities surveyed are based on demand.
Photo Source: Reuters
10. Sao Paulo, Brazil
You may love reading the paper everyday back home, but at $9.59 a pop, your daily news fix could quickly become an expensive habit in Brazil’s largest city.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,397.43
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: $11.99
A music CD: $27.51
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $9.59
A cup of coffee: $1.92
A fast-food hamburger meal: $8.99
One liter of gas*: $1.67
A liter of whole milk*: $1.39
1,000 grams of pasta**: $7.04
* One liter equals less than a third of a gallon
** 1,000 grams equals about 2.2 pounds, or two 16 oz. boxes of pasta.
Photo Source: Reuters
9. Hong Kong
Thinking of renting an apartment in Hong Kong? A two-bedroom pad will cost you about $5,776.89 a month, the second-highest rent in this 10-city ranking.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $5,776.89
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: $9.63
A music CD: $12.71
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $3.59
A cup of coffee: $6.80
A fast-food hamburger meal: $3.52
One liter of gas: $2.00
A liter of whole milk: $2.85
1,000 grams of pasta: $6.03
Photo Source: Reuters
8. Singapore
Singapore’s capital is new to the top 10 list this year, surprising many by topping Hong Kong. While Singapore is expensive in some ways, catching a movie there will only cost you $7.24 on average, the cheapest rate in all 10 cities.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,289.78
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: $7.24
A music CD: $16.84
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $3.13
A cup of coffee: $5.09
A fast-food hamburger meal: $5.37
One liter of gas: $1.57
A liter of whole milk: $1.80
1,000 grams of pasta: $6.41
Photo Source: Reuters
7. Zurich
If you visit the largest city in Switzerland, be prepared to do so in silence. An average CD there will run you $26.19.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $3,471.38
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: $19.99
A music CD: $26.19
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $4.21
A cup of coffee: $5.79
A fast-food hamburger meal: $11.89
One liter of gas: $1.81
A liter of whole milk: $1.53
1,000 grams of pasta: $4.84
Photo Source: Reuters
6. Osaka, Japan
Movie lovers, beware. Going to see a movie in this Japanese city will cost you $21.79 per ticket, on average.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $2,905.35
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: $21.79
A music CD: $21.79
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $6.05
A cup of coffee: $6.66
A fast-food hamburger meal: $7.87
One liter of gas: $1.69
A liter of whole milk: $2.76
1,000 grams of pasta: $7.21
Photo Source: Reuters
5. Geneva
Geneva is another Swiss city where people can expect to spend big bucks. Grabbing a hamburger at a fast-food joint will run you $11.89, on average.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $4,523.32
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: $16.83
A music CD: $24.09
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $4.21
A cup of coffee: $6.31
A fast-food hamburger meal: $11.89
One liter of gas: $1.84
A liter of whole milk: $1.53
1,000 grams of pasta: $4.73
Photo Source: Reuters
4. Moscow
Of the 10 cities listed, Moscow is the city where your morning routine may cost the most. On average, one issue of a daily international newspaper will cost you $9.97, a cup of coffee at a restaurant will run you $8.54 and a liter of milk will cost you $6.59.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $4,000
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: $17.07
A music CD: $22.20
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $9.97
A cup of coffee: $8.54
A fast-food hamburger meal: $5.94
One liter of gas: $0.94
A liter of whole milk: $6.59
1,000 grams of pasta: $6.00
Photo Source: Reuters
3. N’Djamena, Chad
The capital of Chad ranks as the No. 3 most expensive city to live in mostly because the civil unrest there makes finding “good and secure” housing a challenge, according to Mercer. A fast-food hamburger meal in N’Djamena costs $26, the highest of all of the cities in the Top 10.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: N/A
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: N/A
A music CD: N/A
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $7.07
A cup of coffee: $3.12
A fast-food hamburger meal: $26.00
One liter of gas: $1.48
A liter of whole milk: $3.02
1,000 grams of pasta: $9.67
Photo Source: Reuters
2. Tokyo
As a major global hub, Tokyo is notorious for being expensive. For example, a two-bedroom apartment will cost you about $4,842.25 a month and a movie runs $21.79 a ticket.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $4,842.25
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: $21.79
A music CD: $23.27
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $6.05
A cup of coffee: $7.63
A fast-food hamburger meal: $7.87
One liter of gas: $1.69
A liter of whole milk: $2.66
1,000 grams of pasta: $9.66
Photo Source: Reuters
1. Luanda, Angola
The most expensive city in Mercer’s ranking is Luanda, the capital of Angola. Like N’Djamena, Luanda’s place on the ranking is mainly a result of rental rates, which are at their highest levels ever due to the scarcity of quality housing. Renting a two-bedroom apartment here costs a whopping $7,000, on average.
More findings:
Monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment: $7,000
Ticket to an internationally-released movie: $12.87
A music CD: $28.02
One issue of an international daily newspaper: $4.78
A cup of coffee: $3.99
A fast-food hamburger meal: $20.38 *price of club sandwich & soda, in absence of a hamburger meal at comparable fast-food outlets.
One liter of gas: $0.59
A liter of whole milk: $3.97
1,000 grams of pasta: $8.04
Photo Source: Reuters