Monday, October 16, 2023

International Cost of Living October 2023

The world's most expensive cities in October 2023 shows a surge in the cost of living globally, but particularly in Europe and the United Kingdom's cost of living. The high inflation of 2022-2023 has seen real disposable income drop in more than 50% of households world-wide as salary increases have generally been much lower than inflation so far. As salary increases begin to rise, to close the cumulative gap to inflation, disposable incomes will likely remain depressed as the higher salary increases will further push up inflation and the cost of living.  

Monaco remains the most expensive city for Expats in the world with an overall Cost of Living Index (COLI), for all 13 basket groups, of 137 (New York =100) with an overall cost of living difference of 21 points higher than second placed Hong Kong.

Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria are the most expensive places in Africa. In the Americas, San Francisco and Manhattan top the rankings. In Europe, Monaco is followed by Zurich and Geneva, while in Asia Pacific, Hong Kong is closely followed by Singapore.


Country-State Cost of Living


The America's Cost of Living


Europe Cost of Living


Monday, May 8, 2023

International Cost of Living - Q2 - 2023

Hong Kong remains the most expensive city for Expats in the world with an overall Cost of Living Index (COLI), for all 13 basket groups, of 123 (New York =100). This is due to a number of factors, including the high cost of housing, the high cost of food, the high cost of transportation, and the high cost of education.

Hong Kong has one of the highest housing costs in the world. The average price of a home in Hong Kong is over HK$10 million (US$1.2 million). This is due to a number of factors, including the limited supply of land, the high demand for housing, and the government's strict land use regulations.

The Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar, which means that its value is very stable. This makes it a popular destination for foreign investment, which drives up the cost of goods and services.

Hong Kong has a relatively high tax rate, which also contributes to the high cost of living.

Hong Kong is a very small city, with a population of over 7 million people. This means that there is limited space for housing, businesses, and other infrastructure. This drives up the cost of everything, from housing to transportation to food.

The strength of the US Dollar has pushed locations in the USA up the global most expensive rankings. Manhattan and San Francisco are the second and third most expensive places in the world for expatriates to live. 

Housing costs in the United States are some of the highest in the world. This is due to a number of factors, including a strong economy, limited land supply, and a high demand for housing.

Healthcare costs in the United States are also some of the highest in the world. This is due to a number of factors, including a private healthcare system, high administrative costs, and high drug prices.

The cost of education in the United States is also high, especially at the college level. This is due to a number of factors, including the high cost of tuition, room and board, and books.

The cost of transportation in the United States is also high, especially in major cities. This is due to a number of factors, including high gas prices, tolls, and public transportation fares.

The cost of food in the United States is also high, especially in urban areas. This is due to a number of factors, including high transportation costs, high labour costs, and high food safety standards.

The overall cost of living in the United States can vary depending on the city or state in which you live. However, in general, the United States is a more expensive place to live than many other countries around the world.








Tuesday, January 3, 2023

International Cost of Living - January 2023

The first international cost of living rankings for 2023 reveal that the most expensive countries / states are dominated by those with, or with a fixed rate to, the US Dollar.

The top 10 most expensive country/states in the world for an Expat as at January 2023 are as follows:

1. Lebanon

2. Hong Kong

3. Cayman Islands

4. Singapore

5. Monaco

6. Hawaii

7. Angola

8. Switzerland

9. Israel

10. Bahamas

Lebanon is the most expensive country-state in the world as a result of years of state corruption, waste and unsustainable financial policies. The Lebanese pound has crashed, driving up prices and decreasing purchasing power, as Lebanon is an import dependent country.


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