Archive for category International cost of living comparison
The Cost of Living in Doha, Qatar
Posted by Xpatulator in 2011 international cost of living, cost of living allowance, cost of living calculator, cost of living comparison, International cost of living comparison on September 20, 2011
Comparative Cost of Living : Perth, Australia
Posted by Xpatulator in 2011 international cost of living, cost of living, cost of living allowance, cost of living calculator, cost of living comparison, International cost of living comparison, International Cost of Living Rank; International Cost of Living Index, Perth Australia Cost of Living on April 26, 2011
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and ranks fourth amongst the nation’s cities, with a growth rate consistently above the national average.
The climate is hot with Summer temperatures rising to 36°, with 10 hours of sunshine daily and hardly any rain, while Winters are mild, with hot, sunny and clear blue skies. Perth can experience high winds and fierce storms and at these times there are risks of flooding from the Swan River. The city also sits close to Australia’a most active earthquake zone.
Economically it dominates the Western Australian economy by virtue of its population and its role as the administrative center for business and government, despite the major mining, petroleum and agricultural export industries located elsewhere in the state. Perth’s function as the State’s capital city, its economic base and population size have also created development opportunities for many other businesses oriented to local or more diversified markets.
The inner city of Perth is located alongside the Swan River, it was originally built using convict labor and the historic buildings are testimony to this era. These areas now provide a scenic outlook for Perth and the river is a place for recreational activities, such as river cruises, walking, cycling, water sports and picnicking along the banks.
There are some great malls which lend themselves to fun shopping days, such as The Hay St Mall, Murray St Mall, Raine Square, Forest Chase, Barrack St and Kings Street to name a few.
Some attractions in Perth are Kings Park, the Botanical garden, Perth Zoo, the Old Mill and Barracks Arch.
Then there is the Sunset Coast in Perth, where you can walk along beautiful sandy beaches, swim in the surf or tan in the warm sun.
The Port city of Fremantle, a popular spot on weekends for markets, entertainment and alfresco style cafes and eateries, lies just south of Perth on the coast of Western Australia.
The Swan Valley Region has more than 40 vineyards many still run by the original families, this area is steeped in history and is one of Western Australia’s oldest wine regions.
A popular holiday destination is Rottnest Island, it offers a relaxed atmosphere where you can meet the Quokka, a unique little marsupial which is responsible for the islands name.
Perth hills offers wonderful bushwalking and hiking trails with rolling hills and valleys of native bushland, wineries and orchards.
The district of Northbridge, just outside of Perth offers a range of nightclubs, pubs, cafes and eateries with an eclectic mix of cultures and cuisines. South of Perth in Fremantle which offers further nightlife with a variety of local nightclubs and bars.
Living in Perth
The Central Business District (CBD) is in Central Perth, if you work in the CBD you may want to live nearby, or along the main commuting routes (freeways and railways – Perth offers a good public transport system).
A city lifestyle will be found in East Perth, Subiaco, and some parts of Northbridge and Joondalup. They have higher density housing, apartments and townhouses, with lots of facilities closeby, such as cafes, restaurants, cinemas and theatres. Mount Hawthorn, Vic Park and Fremantle have similar lifestyle facilities, and offer more character and older styled houses.
To the North of the River you will find great beaches and better routes into the city, while South of the River has more character suburbs (e.g. Fremantle) with easier access to the Southern areas of WA.
If you are looking for a beach home, look towards the Northern Coastal Suburbs, there are also wonderful areas around the Swan and Canning Rivers, while the Hills offer a less suburban-type lifestyle.
The Northern suburbs are very popular, this covers the coastal areas from Trig to Mindarie, and the suburbs inland from these. The main attraction are the great beaches in these areas and the availability of new housing developments.
There are obviously many factors to consider when deciding on location, such as the schools, location to work, quality of houses, number of facilities available close by, the median house price in an area is a good indicator of how desirable the area is.
Schools include both Government and Private schools, with the majority of children going to the former. The school year starts in January and ends in December.
What is the cost of living in Perth:
Hardship of Perth, Australia compared to Los Angeles, USA :
The To Location Australia, Perth is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship premium of 10%
The relative difference in hardship premium (i.e. Host Location Premium minus Home Location Premium) is 0%
Salary Purchasing Power Parity
Applying the cost of living difference based on what will be paid from salary, together with the hardship difference, and arbitrage exchange rate, the Xpatulator calculation is as follows:
|
Home/Current location salary
|
100,000.00 |
US Dollar (USD )
|
|
+ Cost of living difference 32.0427%
|
32,042.73 |
US Dollar (USD )
|
|
+ Hardship Difference 0%
|
0.00 |
US Dollar (USD )
|
|
Total
|
132,042.73 |
US Dollar (USD )
|
|
x Exchange Rate 0.9858
|
||
|
Salary in Host/New location
|
130,167.72
|
Australian Dollar (AUD )
|
- Alcohol & Tobacco is more expensive
- Clothing is cheaper
- Communication is cheaper
- Education is more expensive
- Furniture & Appliances is more expensive
- Groceries is more expensive
- Healthcare is more expensive
- Household is more expensive
- Miscellaneous is cheaper
- Personal Care is more expensive
- Recreation & Culture is more expensive
- Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels is more expensive
- Transport is more expensive
- Alcohol & Tobacco rank of 37 out of 300.
- Clothing rank of 142 out of 300.
- Communication rank of 169 out of 300.
- Education rank of 20 out of 300.
- Furniture & Appliance rank of 93 out of 300.
- Grocery rank of 36 out of 300.
- Healthcare rank of 16 out of 300.
- Household rank of 35 out of 300.
- Miscellaneous rank of 182 out of 300.
- Personal Care rank of 13 out of 300.
- Recreation and Culture rank of 23 out of 300.
- Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel rank of 24 out of 300.
- Transport rank of 52 out of 300.
The truth about expat lifestyle in Greece
Posted by Xpatulator in expatriate, Expatriate Pay, Expatriate Relocation, Expatriate Salary, expats, Greece, international, international assignment, International Cost of Living, International cost of living comparison, International Cost of Living Rank; International Cost of Living Index on January 13, 2011
When Scottish expat John Malcolm was caught speeding in the southern Peloponnese, a Greek police officer strolled over to the car to book him and asked where he was born. “When I told him I was Scottish the officer said, ‘That means you’re as mad as we are,’ and waved me away, saying to his colleague, ‘He’s Scottish – don’t have anything to do with this one,’” Malcolm recalls. http://www.heraldscotland.com/life-style/travel-outdoors/the-truth-about-expat-lifestyle-in-greece-1.1079038 When Scottish expat John Malcolm was caught speeding in the southern Peloponnese, a Greek police officer strolled over to the car to book him and asked where he was born. “When I told him I was Scottish the officer said, ‘That means you’re as mad as we are,’ and waved me away, saying to his colleague, ‘He’s Scottish – don’t have anything to do with this one,’” Malcolm recalls. http://www.heraldscotland.com/life-style/travel-outdoors/the-truth-about-expat-lifestyle-in-greece-1.1079038
International Cost Of Living Index Calculation
Cost of living is the cost of maintaining a specified standard of living, similar to a typical household budget. A Cost of living index is a numerical way of comparing cost of living, either over time, or by comparing different geographical locations.
When you relocate to another geographic location, the cost of everything you spend your salary on will either cost more or less. Some of the costs may be higher in the new location and some of the costs may be lower. The difference in cost of living is typically reported as a “cost of living index.
By selecting the appropriate costs that you will have to pay from your salary, you can use a tool such as www.xpatulator.com to calculate the cost of living difference between 2 locations. Xpatulator uses 13 basket groups, the result of extensive research of actual spending habits, to reflect a reality-based international expenditure pattern. The basket groups are weighted according to Expatriate expenditure norms.
When comparing the cost of living between 2 locations the difference in the aggregate cost of all the selected basket groups are examined in each location using the average reported price in each location for the same quantity of each item. Cost of living is the relative differential in the local cost of the basket groups and the ruling exchange rate between the 2 selected locations.
When comparing the cost of living between different locations the objective is to calculate the difference in the cost of living expressed as an index (e.g. dividing the cost of living in Location A by the cost of living in Location B may result in an index of 140).
The cost of living index indicates the difference in the cost of living between the 2 locations. In the above example the index of 140 means that Location A is 40% more expensive than Location B. This would mean that a person who moves from Location B to Location A would need to earn 40% more, to have the same standard of living in Location A as they have currently.
Maldives, Male – Cost of Living
The mixed economy of the Maldives is based on the principal activities of tourism, fishing and shipping.
Male is the capital and largest city (in terms of population) in the Republic of Maldives. The central part of the Male city is formed by Male Island. Three more islands are part of the city. Slightly less than one third of the nation’s population lives in the capital city. Many, if not most, Maldivians and foreign workers in Maldives find themselves in occasional short term residence on the island since it is the only entry point to the nation and the centre of all administration and bureaucracy.
Male has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups.
The latest cost of living rank for each of the 13 Basket Groups is now available.
International Cost of Living Ranking April 2010
Posted by Xpatulator in cost of living, cost of living index, International cost of living comparison, International Cost of Living Rank; International Cost of Living Index on April 10, 2010
The rank of the overall international cost of living indexes is reported as at April 2010 using New York as the base city. The indexes are calculated using the prices for specific quantities of the same goods and services in each location, based on expatriate spending patterns across 13 broad categories (Basket Groups).
The cost of living studied is the cost of maintaining an expatriate standard of living. When comparing the cost of living between different locations the objective is to calculate the difference in the cost of living and express this as a cost of living index by dividing the cost of living in Location A by the cost of living in Location B.
The cost of living index reports the difference in the cost of living between the 2 locations for the same items purchased. For example an index of 140 means that the Location is 40% more expensive than the comparator Location. This would mean that a person who moves between the two locations would need to earn 40% more, to have the same standard of living as they have currently.
Tokyo is the overall most expensive place in the world for expats. Tokyo is also the most expensive place in the world for accommodation, while it is the fourth most expensive place in the world for groceries. Brasilia has moved up 9 places from 12th in October 2009 to be the third most expensive place in the world to live for expatriates. Sydney has rocketed up the rankings to 10th having been ranked 15th in January this year. Dubai has dropped another 8 places after dropping 9 places in the previous quarter to fall out of the top 10 and is now ranked 26th, but interestingly is still the most expensive place for restaurants, meals out and hotel costs.
The fastest mover upwards is Ashgabat in Turkmenistan having moved up 94 places from 257rd to 163. The relative cost of living for expatriates in Gibraltar has also increased considerably having moved up 94 places to 92. South Africa has experienced a significant increase in global cost of living terms mainly due to the strengthening of the Rand. Cape Town has moved up 53 places to be ranked 193rd.
Alcohol & Tobacco is most expensive in South Tarawa in Kiribati, followed by Moroni in the Comores, and Oslo in Norway. Clothing is most expensive in Manama, Bahrain followed by Moscow, Russia. Education is most expensive in Caracas, Venezuela and Brasilia in Brazil. Groceries are most expensive in Kiribati. Oslo, Norway is most expensive for Transport.
The full list of the January 2010 overall international cost of living rankings, together with the previous Quarter’s rank, and the change in rank is as follows:
April 2010 Rank Country, City (January 2010 Rank)[Change in Rank]
1 Japan, Tokyo (1) [0]
2 Switzerland, Geneva (2) [0]
3 Brazil, Brasilia (3) [0]
4 Switzerland, Zurich (4) [0]
5 Norway, Oslo (6) [-1]
6 Denmark, Copenhagen (7) [-1]
7 Venezuela, Caracas (8) [-1]
8 China, Hong Kong (5) [3]
9 Liechtenstein, Vaduz (9) [0]
10 Australia, Sydney (15) [-5]
11 Central African Republic, Bangui (10) [1]
12 Kiribati, South Tarawa (24) [-12]
13 New Caledonia, Noumea (13) [0]
14 Greenland, Nuuk (14) [0]
15 Germany, Munich (16) [-1]
16 France, Paris (17) [-1]
17 Solomon Islands, Honiara (20) [-3]
18 Cameroon, Douala (12) [6]
19 Bermuda, Hamilton (25) [-6]
20 Monaco, Monaco (23) [-3]
21 San Marino, San Marino (22) [-1]
22 Italy, Milan (21) [1]
23 Vanuatu, Port Vila (28) [-5]
24 Chad, N’Djamena (11) [13]
25 Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby (27) [-2]
26 United Arab Emirates, Dubai (18) [8]
27 Germany, Frankfurt (29) [-2]
28 Korea Republic of, Seoul (26) [2]
29 Gabon, Libreville (33) [-4]
30 United Kingdom, London (37) [-7]
31 Austria, Vienna (30) [1]
32 Finland, Helsinki (31) [1]
33 Italy, Rome (35) [-2]
34 Germany, Cologne (36) [-2]
35 Russia, Moscow (38) [-3]
36 Croatia, Zagreb (32) [4]
37 Australia, Melbourne (43) [-6]
38 Australia, Canberra (44) [-6]
39 Ireland, Dublin (39) [0]
40 Comores, Moroni (42) [-2]
41 Qatar, Doha (34) [7]
42 Angola, Luanda (19) [23]
43 Isle of Man, Douglas (52) [-9]
44 Belgium, Brussels (45) [-1]
45 Netherlands, Amsterdam (50) [-5]
46 Australia, Perth (59) [-13]
47 Micronesia, Palikir (49) [-2]
48 Mali, Bamako (40) [8]
49 Germany, Hamburg (47) [2]
50 Germany, Bonn (48) [2]
51 Slovakia, Bratislava (53) [-2]
52 Cameroon, Yaounde (46) [6]
53 Taiwan, Taipei (41) [12]
54 Guernsey, St Peter Port (61) [-7]
55 Spain, Madrid (62) [-7]
56 Congo Democratic Republic, Kinshasa (63) [-7]
57 Canada, Toronto (60) [-3]
58 Iceland, Reykjavik (64) [-6]
59 Togo, Lome (51) [8]
60 Singapore, Singapore (65) [-5]
61 Turkey, Ankara (56) [5]
62 Germany, Berlin (66) [-4]
63 USA, New York NY (54) [9]
64 Nigeria, Lagos (58) [6]
65 Bahamas, Nassau (55) [10]
66 Bahrain, Manama (57) [9]
67 Tuvalu, Funafuti (72) [-5]
68 Jersey, Saint Helier (74) [-6]
69 USA, Boston Mass (67) [2]
70 Vatican City, Vatican City (73) [-3]
71 Spain, Barcelona (76) [-5]
72 USA, San Jose Calif (70) [2]
73 Nauru, Yaren (75) [-2]
74 United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi (71) [3]
75 Senegal, Dakar (80) [-5]
76 Canada, Vancouver (78) [-2]
77 USA, San Francisco Calif (68) [9]
78 Luxembourg, Luxembourg (79) [-1]
79 Czech Republic, Prague (69) [10]
80 Hungary, Budapest (83) [-3]
81 United Kingdom, Glasgow (89) [-8]
82 Estonia, Tallinn (82) [0]
83 Palau, Melekeok (81) [2]
84 Falkland Islands, Stanley (93) [-9]
85 Sweden, Stockholm (84) [1]
86 Australia, Brisbane (102) [-16]
87 Portugal, Lisbon (91) [-4]
88 Canada, Calgary (95) [-7]
89 Guinea-Bissau, Bissau (85) [4]
90 Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou (96) [-6]
91 Colombia, Bogota (77) [14]
92 Gibraltar, Gibraltar (186) [-94]
93 Malta, Velletta (90) [3]
94 USA, Anchorage AK (94) [0]
95 Djibouti, Djibouti (86) [9]
96 Cote D’Ivoire, Abidjan (97) [-1]
97 United Kingdom, Birmingham (108) [-11]
98 New Zealand, Auckland (113) [-15]
99 Azerbaijan, Baku (99) [0]
100 Haiti, Port-au-Prince (92) [8]
101 USA, Philadelphia Pa (103) [-2]
102 USA, Los Angeles Calif (101) [1]
103 Andorra, Andorra la Vella (109) [-6]
104 Benin, Cotonou (104) [0]
105 United Kingdom, Leeds (117) [-12]
106 Greece, Athens (115) [-9]
107 USA, Washington DC (112) [-5]
108 Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain (100) [8]
109 Samoa, Apia (107) [2]
110 China, Beijing (121) [-11]
111 Sudan, Khartoum (130) [-19]
112 Cayman Islands, George Town (111) [1]
113 Serbia, Belgrade (106) [7]
114 Montenegro, Podgorica (128) [-14]
115 Canada, Montreal (120) [-5]
116 Lebanon, Beirut (105) [11]
117 Cape Verde, Praia (118) [-1]
118 Saint Helena, Jamestown (125) [-7]
119 USA, Baltimore Md (116) [3]
120 India, Mumbai (122) [-2]
121 Sao Tome and Principe, Sao Tome (87) [34]
122 Seychelles, Victoria (88) [34]
123 USA, San Diego Calif (119) [4]
124 Barbados, Bridgetown (129) [-5]
125 Marshall Islands, Majuro (131) [-6]
126 Israel, Jerusalem (110) [16]
127 Lithuania, Vilnius (126) [1]
128 Australia, Adelaide (145) [-17]
129 Poland, Warsaw (136) [-7]
130 Saudi Arabia, Riyadh (124) [6]
131 Zambia, Lusaka (123) [8]
132 Indonesia, Jakarta (127) [5]
133 USA, Seattle Wash (133) [0]
134 Kuwait, Kuwait City (140) [-6]
135 Chile, Santiago (172) [-37]
136 China, Shanghai (173) [-37]
137 Martinique, Fort-de-France (139) [-2]
138 Niger, Niamey (135) [3]
139 USA, Miami Fla (134) [5]
140 USA, Portland Ore (138) [2]
141 USA, Chicago Ill (143) [-2]
142 Kazakhstan, Almaty (137) [5]
143 Canada, Ottawa (151) [-8]
144 Mauritius, Port Louis (144) [0]
145 Guinea, Conakry (114) [31]
146 India, New Delhi (153) [-7]
147 Latvia, Riga (148) [-1]
148 Puerto Rico, San Juan (146) [2]
149 Jordan, Amman (142) [7]
150 India, Chennai (159) [-9]
151 Tanzania, Dar es Salaam (132) [19]
152 Cyprus, Nicosia (163) [-11]
153 Georgia Republic of, Tbilisi (147) [6]
154 Guam, Hagatna (152) [2]
155 Slovenia, Ljubljana (162) [-7]
156 Malawi, Lilongwe (158) [-2]
157 Ukraine, Kiev (160) [-3]
158 Uruguay, Montevideo (176) [-18]
159 Grenada, Saint George’s (161) [-2]
160 Jamaica, Kingston (149) [11]
161 Botswana, Gaborone (150) [11]
162 India, Calcutta (166) [-4]
163 Turkmenistan, Ashgabat (257) [-94]
164 India, Hyderabad (171) [-7]
165 Liberia, Monrovia (154) [11]
166 Rwanda, Kigali (156) [10]
167 Maldives, Male (155) [12]
168 USA, Jacksonville Fla (164) [4]
169 USA, Cleveland Ohio (169) [0]
170 Moldova, Chisinau (167) [3]
171 Equatorial Guinea, Malabo (174) [-3]
172 USA, Tampa Fla (168) [4]
173 USA, Dallas Tex (165) [8]
174 USA, Atlanta GA (170) [4]
175 USA, Phoenix Ariz (177) [-2]
176 Fiji, Suva (192) [-16]
177 Sierra Leone, Freetown (141) [36]
178 USA, Milwaukee Wis (181) [-3]
179 USA, Denver Colo (175) [4]
180 Ghana, Accra (98) [82]
181 South Africa, Johannesburg (217) [-36]
182 USA, Charlotte NC (182) [0]
183 Macedonia, Skopje (183) [0]
184 USA, Detroit Mich (195) [-11]
185 USA, Pittsburgh Penn (185) [0]
186 Timor-Leste, Dili (178) [8]
187 Korea Democratic Republic of, Pyongyang (205) [-18]
188 Romania, Bucharest (179) [9]
189 Somalia, Mogadishu (194) [-5]
190 Mexico, Mexico City (193) [-3]
191 USA, Austin Tex (196) [-5]
192 Algeria, Algiers (180) [12]
193 South Africa, Cape Town (246) [-53]
194 USA, Columbus Ohio (198) [-4]
195 Gambia, Banjul (184) [11]
196 Honduras, Tegucigalpa (189) [7]
197 India, Bangalore (209) [-12]
198 Philippines, Manila (190) [8]
199 Antigua and Barbuda, Saint John’s (187) [12]
200 Bulgaria, Sofia (211) [-11]
201 Afghanistan, Kabul (191) [10]
202 Syria, Damascus (203) [-1]
203 Kosovo, Pristina (206) [-3]
204 Morocco, Rabat (197) [7]
205 USA, Fort Worth Tex (200) [5]
206 USA, Las Vegas Nev (204) [2]
207 Mozambique, Maputo (157) [50]
208 Myanmar, Yangon (218) [-10]
209 Iran, Tehran (188) [21]
210 South Africa, Pretoria (233) [-23]
211 Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre (201) [10]
212 Kenya, Nairobi (210) [2]
213 USA, San Antonio Tex (216) [-3]
214 Belarus, Minsk (244) [-30]
215 Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan (208) [7]
216 Egypt, Cairo (230) [-14]
217 Cuba, Havana (202) [15]
218 Namibia, Windhoek (199) [19]
219 South Africa, Durban (252) [-33]
220 Peru, Lima (207) [13]
221 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown (212) [9]
222 USA, Houston Tex (213) [9]
223 Guyana, Georgetown (221) [2]
224 Thailand, Bangkok (215) [9]
225 USA, Indianapolis Ind (219) [6]
226 Vietnam, Hanoi (222) [4]
227 Dominica, Roseau (226) [1]
228 Guatemala, Guatemala City (245) [-17]
229 Albania, Tirana (223) [6]
230 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa (231) [-1]
231 USA, St Louis MO (224) [7]
232 USA, Memphis Tenn (229) [3]
233 Lesotho, Maseru (220) [13]
234 Costa Rica, San Jose (235) [-1]
235 Madagascar, Antananarivo (227) [8]
236 USA, El Paso Tex (228) [8]
237 Armenia, Yerevan (225) [12]
238 Eritrea, Asmara (254) [-16]
239 Congo, Brazzaville (214) [25]
240 Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo (232) [8]
241 Oman, Muscat (237) [4]
242 Mauritania, Nouakchott (234) [8]
243 Belize, Belmopan (236) [7]
244 Uganda, Kampala (242) [2]
245 Panama, Panama City (240) [5]
246 El Salvador, San Salvador (239) [7]
247 Nicaragua, Managua (238) [9]
248 Burundi, Bujumbura (241) [7]
249 China, Shenzhen (253) [-4]
250 China, Wuhan (260) [-10]
251 Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (247) [4]
252 Laos, Vientiane (243) [9]
253 Bangladesh, Dhaka (248) [5]
254 China, Dalian (272) [-18]
255 Tunisia, Tunis (250) [5]
256 Saint Lucia, Castries (249) [7]
257 China, Macao (255) [2]
258 Swaziland, Mbabane (251) [7]
259 Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek (274) [-15]
260 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo (256) [4]
261 Uzbekistan, Tashkent (275) [-14]
262 Nepal, Kathmandu (263) [-1]
263 Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar (280) [-17]
264 Paraguay, Asuncion (268) [-4]
265 Tonga, Nuku’Alofa (264) [1]
266 Iraq, Baghdad (258) [8]
267 Suriname, Paramaribo (259) [8]
268 Libya, Tripoli (265) [3]
269 Pakistan, Lahore (261) [8]
270 Bolivia, La Paz (262) [8]
271 Pakistan, Islamabad (266) [5]
272 China, Guangzhou (278) [-6]
273 Pakistan, Karachi (267) [6]
274 Ecuador, Quito (269) [5]
275 Cambodia, Phnom Penh (270) [5]
276 Sri Lanka, Colombo (271) [5]
277 Tajikistan, Dushanbe (273) [4]
278 Bhutan, Thimphu (276) [2]
279 Argentina, Buenos Aires (277) [2]
280 Yemen, Sanaa (279) [1]
281 China, Tianjin (281) [0]
282 Zimbabwe, Harare (282) [0]
Steven is Chief Instigator at Xpatulator.com a website that provides cost of living index information and calculates what you need to earn to compensate for cost of living, hardship, and exchange rate differences.
Alcohol & Tobacco International Cost of Living Ranking
Posted by Xpatulator in International cost of living comparison on November 16, 2009
Alcohol & Tobacco costs include alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes.
The October 2009 alcohol & tobacco international cost of living rank is as follows:
Rank Country, City
1 Kiribati, South Tarawa
2 Qatar, Doha
3 Korea Republic of, Seoul
4 Comores, Moroni
5 Norway, Oslo
6 Bahrain, Manama
7 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
8 Thailand, Bangkok
9 Guinea, Conakry
10 Djibouti, Djibouti
Alcohol & Tobacco International Cost of Living Ranking
Alcohol & Tobacco costs include alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes.
The October 2009 alcohol & tobacco international cost of living rank is as follows:
Rank Country, City
1 Kiribati, South Tarawa
2 Qatar, Doha
3 Korea Republic of, Seoul
4 Comores, Moroni
5 Norway, Oslo
6 Bahrain, Manama
7 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
8 Thailand, Bangkok
9 Guinea, Conakry
10 Djibouti, Djibouti
October 2009 International Cost of Living Ranking
Posted by Xpatulator in COLA, compensation, cost of living, cost of living allowance, cost of living comparison, cost of living rankings, Expatriate Pay, Expatriate Prospects, Expatriate Relocation, Expatriate Salary, International cost of living comparison, International Cost of Living Rank; International Cost of Living Index, relocating, SPPP on October 23, 2009
The October 2009 International Cost of Living Ranking, one of the most comprehensive in the world, covers 276 cities in 209 countries across 13 basket groups. Below we have listed the Top 10 most expensive countries to live in, the biggest movers up and down in country ranking and the 5 most expensive countries per basket item.
There is no change to the first and last places. Japan remains the most expensive place for an expatriate to live with the highest overall cost of living index and Zimbabwe with the lowest cost of living index.
The Top 10 most expensive ranked international cost of living locations as at October 2009, together with the previous year’s rank as at October 2008, is as follows:
October 2009 Rank Country, City (October 2008 Rank)[Change in Rank]
1. Japan, Tokyo (1) [0]
2. China, Hong Kong (33) [-31]
3. Switzerland, Geneva (4) [-1]
4. Central African Republic, Bangui (46) [-42]
5. Switzerland, Zurich (8) [-3]
6. Denmark, Copenhagen (3) [3]
7. Venezuela, Caracas (32) [-25]
8. United Arab Emirates, Dubai (34) [-26]
9. Chad, N’Djamena (15) [-6]
10. Norway, Oslo (2) [8]
Biggest Movers Up
The biggest movers up in the rankings as a result of an increase in relative cost of living are:
1. Solomon Islands, Honiara by 152 places
2. Canada, Calgary by 134 places
3. Kiribati, South Tarawa by 109 places
4. Timor-Leste, Dili by 106 places
5. Montenegro, Podgorica by 93 places
6. Vanuatu, Port Vila by 91 places
7. Saudi Arabia, Riyadh by 83 places
8. Rwanda, Kigali by 83 places
9. Cape Verde, Praia by 75 places
10. Congo Democratic Rep, Kinshasa by 61 places
Biggest Movers Down
The biggest movers down in the rankings as a result of a decrease in relative cost of living are:
1. Tonga, Nuku’Alofa by 172 places
2. Poland, Warsaw by 158 places
3. Vietnam, Hanoi by 126 places
4. Fiji, Suva by 99 places
5. Paraguay, Asuncion by 91 places
6. Hungary, Budapest by 85 places
7. Equatorial Guinea, Malabo by 82 places
8. Albania, Tirana by 77 places
9. Kenya, Nairobi by 73 places
10. Gambia, Banjul by 66 places
Top 5 most expensive international locations for each basket group
Our 13 basket groups are the result of extensive research of actual spending habits, this allows our cost of living indices to reflect a reality-based international expenditure pattern. When comparing the cost of living between 2 locations, the difference in the aggregate cost of all the items in each of the 13 basket groups are examined in each location, this is done by using the average reported price in each location for the same quantity of each item. Cost of living is the relative differential of the local cost of the basket groups and the ruling exchange rate between the 2 selected locations. The 13 basket groups are weighted according to Expatriate expenditure norms.
Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is most expensive in:
1. Kiribati, South Tarawa
2. Qatar, Doha
3. Korea Republic of, Seoul
4. Comores, Moroni
5. Norway, Oslo
Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, children’s clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is most expensive in:
1. Croatia, Zagreb
2. Russia, Moscow
3. China, Beijing
4. United Arab Emirates, Dubai
5. Qatar, Doha
Communications costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is most expensive in:
1. Guinea-Bissau, Bissau
2. New Caledonia, Noumea
3. Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou
4. Latvia, Riga
5. Cameroon, Douala
Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is most expensive in:
1. Venezuela, Caracas
2. Angola, Luanda
3. Brazil, Brasilia
4. Bermuda, Hamilton
5. Central African Republic, Bangui
Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is most expensive in:
1. Central African Republic, Bangui
2. Mali, Bamako
3. Cameroon, Douala
4. New Caledonia, Noumea
5. Chad, N’Djamena
Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is most expensive in:
1. Central African Republic, Bangui
2. Japan, Tokyo
3. Denmark, Copenhagen
4. Solomon Islands, Honiara
5. Congo, Brazzaville
Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is most expensive in:
1. Japan, Tokyo
2. China, Hong Kong
3. Kiribati, South Tarawa
4. Angola, Luanda
5. Bermuda, Hamilton
Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is most expensive in:
1. China, Hong Kong
2. Japan, Tokyo
3. Taiwan, Taipei
4. Venezuela, Caracas
5. United Arab Emirates, Dubai
Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is most expensive in:
1. Central African Republic, Bangui
2. Norway, Oslo
3. Finland, Helsinki
4. New Caledonia, Noumea
5. Qatar, Doha
Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is most expensive in:
1. Kiribati, South Tarawa
2. Gambia, Banjul
3. Algeria, Algiers
4. Comores, Moroni
5. Slovakia, Bratislava
Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is most expensive in:
1. Central African Republic, Bangui
2. Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby
3. Mozambique, Maputo
4. Chad, N’Djamena
5. Vanuatu, Port Vila
Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is most expensive in:
1. United Arab Emirates, Dubai
2. Greece, Athens
3. Qatar, Doha
4. Belgium, Brussels
5. Slovenia, Ljubljana
Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is most expensive in:
1. Timor-Leste, Dili
2. Georgia Republic of, Tbilisi
3. Cameroon, Douala
4. Solomon Islands, Honiara
5. Norway, Oslo
The definitions of each basket and the full cost of living rankings for all 276 locations are available at Xpatulator Articles
Argentina Cost of Living
Argentina cost of living is ranked a low cost of living location.
Argentina is in Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay.
CAPITAL CITY: Buenos Aires
LARGEST CITY: Buenos Aires
CURRENCY: Argentine Peso (ARS)
ECONOMY: Argentina’s economy comprises rich natural resources, it has a highly literate population, with an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Buenos Aires is the financial, industrial, commercial, and cultural hub of Argentina. The Buenos Aires port is one of the busiest in the world and it is one of the wealthiest cities in the world.
COST OF LIVING OVERVIEW: Buenos Aires has an overall cost of living index which equates it with Low Cost of Living Locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Buenos Aires is currently ranked 252 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international www.xpatulator.com locations. The exact customised cost of living index for Buenos Aires is based on the Basket Groups that you select in the Calculators.
In terms of the relative hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Buenos Aires is ranked as a high degree of hardship location. The exact customised hardship index premium for Buenos Aires is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.
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