Expatriate International Cost of Living

This report provides you with the rank of Furniture & Appliance cost of living indexes as at April 2010 for each of our 282 global locations. 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).

Furniture & Appliance costs include furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine.

The April 2010 furniture & appliance international cost of living rank is as follows:

April 2010 Rank Country, City

1 Mali, Bamako
2 Brazil, Brasilia
3 Cameroon, Douala
4 New Caledonia, Noumea
5 Central African Republic, Bangui
6 Cameroon, Yaounde
7 Chad, NDjamena
8 Russia, Moscow
9 Vanuatu, Port Vila
10 Denmark, Copenhagen
11 Togo, Lome
12 Lithuania, Vilnius
13 China, Beijing
14 Austria, Vienna
15 Sudan, Khartoum
16 USA, Boston Mass
17 Gabon, Libreville
18 China, Shanghai
19 Samoa, Apia
20 Congo, Brazzaville
21 Azerbaijan, Baku
22 Belgium, Brussels
23 Estonia, Tallinn
24 Benin, Cotonou
25 Tuvalu, Funafuti
26 Germany, Munich
27 Israel, Jerusalem
28 Japan, Tokyo
29 Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou
30 Greenland, Nuuk
31 Norway, Oslo
32 Sierra Leone, Freetown
33 Canada, Toronto
34 Portugal, Lisbon
35 Germany, Frankfurt
36 Latvia, Riga
37 Liechtenstein, Vaduz
38 Slovakia, Bratislava
39 Solomon Islands, Honiara
40 Bermuda, Hamilton
41 Germany, Cologne
42 Barbados, Bridgetown
43 USA, Anchorage AK
44 Canada, Vancouver
45 Bahamas, Nassau
46 USA, Portland Ore
47 Finland, Helsinki
48 Angola, Luanda
49 Germany, Bonn
50 South Africa, Johannesburg
51 Spain, Madrid
52 Slovenia, Ljubljana
53 Switzerland, Geneva
54 Venezuela, Caracas
55 Kiribati, South Tarawa
56 Canada, Calgary
57 Monaco, Monaco
58 San Marino, San Marino
59 Italy, Milan
60 Germany, Hamburg
61 Fiji, Suva
62 Australia, Sydney
63 Cape Verde, Praia
64 Kazakhstan, Almaty
65 Germany, Berlin
66 Spain, Barcelona
67 South Africa, Cape Town
68 France, Paris
69 Bahrain, Manama
70 Switzerland, Zurich
71 South Africa, Pretoria
72 South Africa, Durban
73 Netherlands, Amsterdam
74 Italy, Rome
75 Dominica, Roseau
76 Korea Republic of, Seoul
77 Niger, Niamey
78 Chile, Santiago
79 Colombia, Bogota
80 Honduras, Tegucigalpa
81 Canada, Montreal
82 Jamaica, Kingston
83 Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby
84 Peru, Lima
85 USA, Miami Fla
86 Sweden, Stockholm
87 Indonesia, Jakarta
88 Malawi, Lilongwe
89 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
90 Cayman Islands, George Town
91 Ireland, Dublin
92 Saint Lucia, Castries
93 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown
94 Guam, Hagatna
95 China, Shenzhen
96 Cyprus, Nicosia
97 Australia, Melbourne
98 China, Wuhan
99 Czech Republic, Prague
100 India, Mumbai
101 Gibraltar, Gibraltar
102 Korea Democratic Republic of, Pyongyang
103 Australia, Canberra
104 Australia, Perth
105 Nauru, Yaren
106 Zambia, Lusaka
107 China, Dalian
108 Canada, Ottawa
109 Iceland, Reykjavik
110 Liberia, Monrovia
111 Greece, Athens
112 USA, Houston Tex
113 Belize, Belmopan
114 Vatican City, Vatican City
115 Haiti, Port-au-Prince
116 Seychelles, Victoria
117 Micronesia, Palikir
118 United Kingdom, London
119 Namibia, Windhoek
120 Mozambique, Maputo
121 India, New Delhi
122 Croatia, Zagreb
123 India, Chennai
124 India, Calcutta
125 Hungary, Budapest
126 Marshall Islands, Majuro
127 Martinique, Fort-de-France
128 Ghana, Accra
129 Andorra, Andorra la Vella
130 Jersey, Saint Helier
131 Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre
132 Isle of Man, Douglas
133 Uzbekistan, Tashkent
134 Armenia, Yerevan
135 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
136 Costa Rica, San Jose
137 Singapore, Singapore
138 India, Hyderabad
139 Kenya, Nairobi
140 Senegal, Dakar
141 USA, Charlotte NC
142 Puerto Rico, San Juan
143 Saint Helena, Jamestown
144 Bulgaria, Sofia
145 Guernsey, St Peter Port
146 Nicaragua, Managua
147 Bangladesh, Dhaka
148 Sao Tome and Principe, Sao Tome
149 Grenada, Saint Georges
150 USA, Austin Tex
151 Romania, Bucharest
152 United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
153 USA, Fort Worth Tex
154 Iran, Tehran
155 Albania, Tirana
156 Guinea-Bissau, Bissau
157 Gambia, Banjul
158 Vietnam, Hanoi
159 USA, Denver Colo
160 USA, San Jose Calif
161 Lesotho, Maseru
162 United Arab Emirates, Dubai
163 China, Guangzhou
164 Somalia, Mogadishu
165 Moldova, Chisinau
166 USA, Philadelphia Pa
167 Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Johns
168 India, Bangalore
169 Guatemala, Guatemala City
170 Mauritius, Port Louis
171 Australia, Brisbane
172 USA, New York NY
173 Botswana, Gaborone
174 USA, Pittsburgh Penn
175 Palau, Melekeok
176 Burundi, Bujumbura
177 USA, Atlanta GA
178 New Zealand, Auckland
179 Falkland Islands, Stanley
180 USA, Baltimore Md
181 Guinea, Conakry
182 Comores, Moroni
183 USA, San Francisco Calif
184 USA, Seattle Wash
185 USA, Columbus Ohio
186 USA, San Antonio Tex
187 United Kingdom, Glasgow
188 Serbia, Belgrade
189 Iraq, Baghdad
190 USA, Washington DC
191 USA, Milwaukee Wis
192 Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan
193 Algeria, Algiers
194 Mexico, Mexico City
195 Kosovo, Pristina
196 USA, Chicago Ill
197 Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain
198 Australia, Adelaide
199 Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
200 USA, Tampa Fla
201 United Kingdom, Birmingham
202 Cote DIvoire, Abidjan
203 Rwanda, Kigali
204 Guyana, Georgetown
205 Malta, Velletta
206 Swaziland, Mbabane
207 China, Tianjin
208 USA, Cleveland Ohio
209 USA, Dallas Tex
210 Lebanon, Beirut
211 Belarus, Minsk
212 United Kingdom, Leeds
213 Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
214 Poland, Warsaw
215 Morocco, Rabat
216 Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
217 USA, Jacksonville Fla
218 Eritrea, Asmara
219 USA, Memphis Tenn
220 Thailand, Bangkok
221 Congo Democratic Rep, Kinshasa
222 Macedonia, Skopje
223 Kuwait, Kuwait City
224 USA, Los Angeles Calif
225 Suriname, Paramaribo
226 USA, Las Vegas Nev
227 Ecuador, Quito
228 USA, Detroit Mich
229 USA, St Louis MO
230 Qatar, Doha
231 Afghanistan, Kabul
232 Nigeria, Lagos
233 Uruguay, Montevideo
234 Turkey, Ankara
235 Mauritania, Nouakchott
236 Bolivia, La Paz
237 Jordan, Amman
238 Djibouti, Djibouti
239 USA, Indianapolis Ind
240 Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar
241 Uganda, Kampala
242 Timor-Leste, Dili
243 Ukraine, Kiev
244 El Salvador, San Salvador
245 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo
246 Madagascar, Antananarivo
247 Tonga, NukuAlofa
248 Tunisia, Tunis
249 Egypt, Cairo
250 USA, San Diego Calif
251 Philippines, Manila
252 Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
253 Laos, Vientiane
254 Georgia Republic of, Tbilisi
255 Cambodia, Phnom Penh
256 Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
257 Pakistan, Lahore
258 Oman, Muscat
259 Taiwan, Taipei
260 Pakistan, Islamabad
261 Myanmar, Yangon
262 Zimbabwe, Harare
263 Montenegro, Podgorica
264 Pakistan, Karachi
265 Argentina, Buenos Aires
266 Libya, Tripoli
267 Tajikistan, Dushanbe
268 Panama, Panama City
269 China, Hong Kong
270 China, Macao
271 USA, Phoenix Ariz
272 Syria, Damascus
273 Turkmenistan, Ashgabat
274 Nepal, Kathmandu
275 Paraguay, Asuncion
276 Equatorial Guinea, Malabo
277 Cuba, Havana
278 USA, El Paso Tex
279 Bhutan, Thimphu
280 Sri Lanka, Colombo
281 Maldives, Male
282 Yemen, Sanaa

This article may be freely copied as long as reference is made to http://www.xpatulator.com/

Country Full Name: The Republic of Chad.

Location: Chad is in Central Africa, south of Libya.

Country Climate: Tropical in south, desert in north.

Country Terrain: Broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south.

Major Languages: French, Arabic.

Major Religions: Islam, Christianity.

Country Population: 9.7 million (2008 est.) 10.0 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Chad ranks as one of the poorest in the world, with 80% of the population living below the poverty line. Years of civil war have scared away foreign investors; those who left Chad have only recently begun to regain confidence in the country’s future.

Currency: CFA Franc (XAF).

Country Inflation: 8.3% (2008 est.) 6.5% (2009 est.).

City: N’Djamena is the capital city of Chad. It is also the largest city in the country.

City Economy: N’Djamena is a regional market for livestock, salt, dates, and grains. Meat, fish and cotton processing are the chief industries, and the city continues to serve as the centre of economic activity in Chad, despite the violent civil conflicts.

Cost of Living: N’Djamena has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high 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. N’Djamena is currently ranked 24 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

For more cost of living information on Chad, NDjamena

This report provides you with the rank of Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotels cost of living indexes as at April 2010 for each of our 282 global locations. 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).

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs include business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food).

The April 2010 restaurants, meals out and hotel international cost of living rank is as follows:

April 2010 Rank Country, City

1 United Arab Emirates, Dubai
2 United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
3 Greece, Athens
4 Belgium, Brussels
5 Slovenia, Ljubljana
6 Russia, Moscow
7 Qatar, Doha
8 Korea Republic of, Seoul
9 Norway, Oslo
10 Brazil, Brasilia
11 France, Paris
12 Bahrain, Manama
13 Finland, Helsinki
14 Venezuela, Caracas
15 Australia, Sydney
16 Cyprus, Nicosia
17 Switzerland, Geneva
18 Denmark, Copenhagen
19 Senegal, Dakar
20 United Kingdom, London
21 Greenland, Nuuk
22 Equatorial Guinea, Malabo
23 Monaco, Monaco
24 Switzerland, Zurich
25 Kiribati, South Tarawa
26 Spain, Madrid
27 Vanuatu, Port Vila
28 San Marino, San Marino
29 Italy, Milan
30 Austria, Vienna
31 Bhutan, Thimphu
32 Estonia, Tallinn
33 Isle of Man, Douglas
34 Ireland, Dublin
35 Canada, Toronto
36 Guernsey, St Peter Port
37 Liechtenstein, Vaduz
38 Gabon, Libreville
39 Spain, Barcelona
40 Australia, Melbourne
41 Italy, Rome
42 Iceland, Reykjavik
43 Luxembourg, Luxembourg
44 Japan, Tokyo
45 Australia, Perth
46 Australia, Canberra
47 Canada, Vancouver
48 Israel, Jerusalem
49 Congo, Brazzaville
50 Iran, Tehran
51 United Kingdom, Glasgow
52 Netherlands, Amsterdam
53 Sweden, Stockholm
54 Canada, Calgary
55 Andorra, Andorra la Vella
56 USA, Anchorage AK
57 Singapore, Singapore
58 USA, San Jose Calif
59 Angola, Luanda
60 Slovakia, Bratislava
61 Hungary, Budapest
62 Syria, Damascus
63 Lebanon, Beirut
64 Kazakhstan, Almaty
65 Jersey, Saint Helier
66 Vatican City, Vatican City
67 United Kingdom, Birmingham
68 Gibraltar, Gibraltar
69 Saudi Arabia, Riyadh
70 United Kingdom, Leeds
71 USA, New York NY
72 Australia, Brisbane
73 Canada, Montreal
74 Croatia, Zagreb
75 Azerbaijan, Baku
76 Bermuda, Hamilton
77 Germany, Munich
78 Falkland Islands, Stanley
79 Czech Republic, Prague
80 Maldives, Male
81 Egypt, Cairo
82 USA, San Francisco Calif
83 New Caledonia, Noumea
84 Germany, Frankfurt
85 Latvia, Riga
86 New Zealand, Auckland
87 USA, Seattle Wash
88 Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou
89 Turkey, Ankara
90 Cameroon, Douala
91 Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain
92 Togo, Lome
93 Germany, Cologne
94 USA, Memphis Tenn
95 Canada, Ottawa
96 USA, Washington DC
97 Germany, Bonn
98 USA, St Louis MO
99 USA, Baltimore Md
100 Marshall Islands, Majuro
101 Germany, Hamburg
102 Libya, Tripoli
103 Iraq, Baghdad
104 Kuwait, Kuwait City
105 Korea Democratic Republic of, Pyongyang
106 Germany, Berlin
107 Solomon Islands, Honiara
108 USA, Cleveland Ohio
109 Mauritania, Nouakchott
110 Jordan, Amman
111 Malawi, Lilongwe
112 USA, Jacksonville Fla
113 Djibouti, Djibouti
114 USA, Portland Ore
115 Sudan, Khartoum
116 Saint Helena, Jamestown
117 Chad, NDjamena
118 USA, Boston Mass
119 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
120 Peru, Lima
121 Australia, Adelaide
122 Oman, Muscat
123 Seychelles, Victoria
124 Nepal, Kathmandu
125 USA, Atlanta GA
126 USA, Charlotte NC
127 USA, Austin Tex
128 USA, Tampa Fla
129 USA, Columbus Ohio
130 Portugal, Lisbon
131 USA, Milwaukee Wis
132 Chile, Santiago
133 USA, Phoenix Ariz
134 Cameroon, Yaounde
135 Tuvalu, Funafuti
136 Malta, Velletta
137 USA, Las Vegas Nev
138 Ukraine, Kiev
139 Somalia, Mogadishu
140 USA, Pittsburgh Penn
141 Zambia, Lusaka
142 Serbia, Belgrade
143 Samoa, Apia
144 Cape Verde, Praia
145 China, Macao
146 USA, El Paso Tex
147 Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
148 USA, Los Angeles Calif
149 Micronesia, Palikir
150 USA, Denver Colo
151 USA, Chicago Ill
152 Cote DIvoire, Abidjan
153 USA, San Diego Calif
154 USA, Miami Fla
155 Guinea, Conakry
156 USA, Indianapolis Ind
157 Central African Republic, Bangui
158 USA, Philadelphia Pa
159 Uruguay, Montevideo
160 Moldova, Chisinau
161 Benin, Cotonou
162 Thailand, Bangkok
163 Comores, Moroni
164 Sierra Leone, Freetown
165 Poland, Warsaw
166 Martinique, Fort-de-France
167 Costa Rica, San Jose
168 USA, Fort Worth Tex
169 Mauritius, Port Louis
170 USA, Dallas Tex
171 Gambia, Banjul
172 Puerto Rico, San Juan
173 Guyana, Georgetown
174 Guinea-Bissau, Bissau
175 Guam, Hagatna
176 Mexico, Mexico City
177 Colombia, Bogota
178 Rwanda, Kigali
179 Liberia, Monrovia
180 Panama, Panama City
181 Belarus, Minsk
182 Nauru, Yaren
183 USA, Houston Tex
184 Bahamas, Nassau
185 Bulgaria, Sofia
186 USA, Detroit Mich
187 Vietnam, Hanoi
188 Grenada, Saint Georges
189 Namibia, Windhoek
190 China, Hong Kong
191 Barbados, Bridgetown
192 Cayman Islands, George Town
193 India, Mumbai
194 Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby
195 Romania, Bucharest
196 China, Beijing
197 Haiti, Port-au-Prince
198 Niger, Niamey
199 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo
200 Ecuador, Quito
201 Tanzania, Dar es Salaam
202 Palau, Melekeok
203 Kenya, Nairobi
204 Taiwan, Taipei
205 Lithuania, Vilnius
206 Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar
207 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown
208 Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo
209 China, Shanghai
210 USA, San Antonio Tex
211 Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Johns
212 South Africa, Johannesburg
213 India, Calcutta
214 India, New Delhi
215 Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre
216 India, Chennai
217 Kosovo, Pristina
218 Uzbekistan, Tashkent
219 Afghanistan, Kabul
220 Philippines, Manila
221 Algeria, Algiers
222 South Africa, Cape Town
223 Tunisia, Tunis
224 Dominica, Roseau
225 Myanmar, Yangon
226 Sao Tome and Principe, Sao Tome
227 Morocco, Rabat
228 Indonesia, Jakarta
229 Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan
230 South Africa, Pretoria
231 India, Hyderabad
232 Belize, Belmopan
233 Bolivia, La Paz
234 Madagascar, Antananarivo
235 South Africa, Durban
236 Sri Lanka, Colombo
237 Armenia, Yerevan
238 Georgia Republic of, Tbilisi
239 Uganda, Kampala
240 Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
241 Lesotho, Maseru
242 Congo Democratic Rep, Kinshasa
243 Saint Lucia, Castries
244 India, Bangalore
245 Yemen, Sanaa
246 Mozambique, Maputo
247 Jamaica, Kingston
248 Mali, Bamako
249 Guatemala, Guatemala City
250 Eritrea, Asmara
251 Montenegro, Podgorica
252 Fiji, Suva
253 Honduras, Tegucigalpa
254 China, Shenzhen
255 China, Wuhan
256 China, Dalian
257 Cambodia, Phnom Penh
258 Nicaragua, Managua
259 Suriname, Paramaribo
260 El Salvador, San Salvador
261 Nigeria, Lagos
262 Botswana, Gaborone
263 Bangladesh, Dhaka
264 Macedonia, Skopje
265 Albania, Tirana
266 Timor-Leste, Dili
267 Swaziland, Mbabane
268 Turkmenistan, Ashgabat
269 China, Guangzhou
270 Paraguay, Asuncion
271 Cuba, Havana
272 Ghana, Accra
273 Tonga, NukuAlofa
274 Tajikistan, Dushanbe
275 Burundi, Bujumbura
276 Pakistan, Lahore
277 Zimbabwe, Harare
278 Pakistan, Islamabad
279 Pakistan, Karachi
280 Laos, Vientiane
281 China, Tianjin
282 Argentina, Buenos Aires

This article may be freely copied as long as reference is made to http://www.xpatulator.com/

Country Full Name: Central African Republic.

Location: The Central African Republic is in Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers.

Country Terrain: Vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest.

Major Languages: French, Sangho (lingua franca).

Major Religions: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 4.4 million (2008 est.) 4.5 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the CAR is dominated by the cultivation and sale of food crops such as cassava, peanuts, maize, sorghum, millet, sesame, plantain and sara.

Currency: CFA Franc (XAF).

Country Inflation: 9.3% (2008 est.) 4.6% (2009 est.).

City: Bangui is the capital of and the largest city in the Central African Republic.

City Economy: Bangui serves as an administrative, trade, and commercial center.

Cost of Living: Bangui has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high 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. Bangui is currently ranked 11 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

For more cost of living information on Central African Republic, Bangui

Definition:
A Cost Of Living Index (COLI) is a price index that measures the relative cost of living over time. It is an index that measures differences in the price of goods and services.

A COLI measures changes over time in the amount that consumers need to spend to reach a certain level or standard of living. COLI is typically a number, where the Base Index is 100.

A Consumer Price Index (CPI) on the other hand is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers. CPI is typically a percentage change compared to the previous period. An increase in CPI is called inflation, while a decrease is called deflation. Both the COLI and the CPI use a market basket of consumer goods and services.

A COLI is also used to measure the price of the same quantities and types of goods and services in different geographic locations. The COLI used in this way shows the difference in living costs between different locations.

An international COLI measures the differences in the local currency price of the same quantities and types of goods and services in different countries converted to a single currency. This shows the difference in relative living costs between international cities. The cost of living difference between locations indicates the amount that consumers need to spend to maintain a certain level or standard of living.

Amongst other uses, COLI’s are used by organizations and individuals in the calculation of expatriate salary and cost of living allowances in order to ensure consistent salary purchasing power between the home and host country.

Next we will discuss how to calculate a COLI between 2 locations applicable to expatriate employees.

Methodology:
For consistency the goods and services are grouped into similar/related basket groups.

For accuracy the exact quantity and type of each of the goods and services within each basket are defined. Using these definitions, the prices of the same quantities and types of goods and services in each geographic location is obtained from at least 3 different suppliers representative of those that would typically be used by expatriates.

When calculating 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.  The basket groups are weighted according to Expatriate expenditure norms.

If for example the following 13 basket groups had the following weighting, The 13 basket groups do not count equally.:

•Alcohol & Tobacco (Weight 2.0%)
•Clothing (Weight 2.5%)
•Communication (Weight 2.0%)
•Education (Weight 5.0%)
•Furniture & Appliances (Weight 5.0%)
•Groceries (Weight 16.5%)
•Healthcare (Weight 5.0%)
•Household (Weight 30.0%)
•Miscellaneous (Weight 3.0%)
•Personal Care (Weight 3.0%)
•Recreation and Culture (Weight 6.0%)
•Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotels (Weight 2.0%)
•Transport (Weight 18.0%)

The prices for the defined quantities and types of goods and services in each location are gathered on a quarterly basis and the resulting index is updated for each of the 13 baskets in each location. These indexes are then used to calculate the COLI between any 2 locations. The COLI 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 using one of the locations as the Base. We typically refer to the home location as the Base Location (Index = 100).

Practical Example:
Take for example a company headquartered in Location A with overseas operations in Location B and C. They send employees on 2 to 3 year assignments from time to time to Location B and C and need a set of COLI’s using Location A as the Base City in order to calculate assignment salary and cost of living allowances.

In our example Location A has an index of 92, Location B has an index of 129, and Location C has an index of 75.

Using our example, you want to know what the COLI is for Location B and C using Location A as the Base Location:

•Location A COLI = (Location A / Location A) X 100 = (92 / 92) X 100 = 100
•Location B COLI = (Location B / Location A) X 100 = (129 / 92) X 100 = 140.2
•Location C COLI = (Location C / Location A) X 100 = (75 / 92) X 100 = 81.5

The COLI indicates the difference in the cost of living between the locations. In the above example the COLI of 140.2 means that Location B is 1.402 times more expensive than Location A. In this example the COLI is positive (higher). This would mean that a person who moves from Location A to Location B would need to earn 40.2% more, to have the same standard of living in Location B as they have currently in Location A.

Location C on the other hand has a COLI of 81.5. This means that Location C is 0.815 times less expensive than Location A. In this example the COLI is negative (lower). This would mean that a person who moves from Location A to Location C could earn 18.5% less and have the same standard of living in Location C as they have currently in Location A.

Steps to calculating a cost of living index:
Given that it is costly and time consuming to create comprehensive baskets and to price them accurately in each location yourself, it is generally more cost effective to use a service provider such as Xpatulator. Xpatulator has comprehensive index data for 13 basket groups in 282 global locations updated quarterly and available online.

The following steps will help you create a set of COLI’s using Xpatulator’s Cost of Living Index Calculator (COLI):

Before you start you will need to have registered.

1) Login using your username and password
2) Check that you have sufficient credit(s)
3) Select “Calculators” from the left hand menu
4) Choose the Cost of Living Index Calculator (COLI): The COLI report calculates cost of living indexes for the locations you select using the base location you specify.  You can select between 1 and all 282 locations. You can choose from any one of the 13 baskets or you can choose the overall cost of living index for each location. The COLI report uses 1 credit per set of 4 cost of living indexes.
The calculator will prompt you for the following inputs:
5) Reference Information: Give your report a reference. This will help you identify your reports for future reference.
6) Base Location: Select the location that will be the base location. All other selected locations will be compared to this location.
7) Available Locations: Select all locations that you require a cost of living index for. Each credit will allow you to select 4 locations. You will notice that as you select each additional location the “Remaining number of locations you can select” will change decrease by 1. You will also notice that for each set of 4 locations the “Selected locations will cost” will increase by 1 credit.
8) Select which cost of living index basket you require. The Overall Cost of Living Index covers all 13 Cost of Living Baskets, weighted for expatriate expenditure norms.
9) Run Report: When you are sure that all your selection criteria are correct, click on run report. At this point the calculator will use the number of credits shown in the calculator. Just above the cost of living baskets the number of credits required will be displayed “Selected locations will cost: XX credits”. If you do not have enough credits you will need to either need to “Purchase Credits” using the left hand menu or decrease the number of locations selected.

Using Xpatulator’s Cost of Living Index Calculator (COLI) your report will look like the attached example View Demo

Applying a cost of living index to a salary calculation:
The COLI values are useful in calculating an appropriate salary in another location. A calculator such as Xpatulator’s Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator (SPPP) calculates an appropriate salary using the COLI, exchange rate and hardship difference.

The salary used in the calculator is gross or net salary. We advise using net (after tax) salary. This has will result in a net salary result in the new location, which would then be grossed up for tax and any other statutory deductions in the new location. The calculator will then apply the following formula based on the selections in the calculator:

Salary X Cost of living Index Differential X Exchange Rate X Hardship Differential = Calculated Salary in new location

Applying the formula to our earlier example with a salary of $100,000 in Location A, sent on assignment to Location B, with an increase in hardship of 10% and paid in US Dollars:

•Location B COLI = 140.2
•Location C COLI = 81.5

Salary Calculation = $100,000 X 1.402 X 1 X 1.1 = $154,220

This means that an employee earning a salary of $100,000 in Location A, requires a salary of $154,220 in Location B to compensate for a 40.2% higher cost of living and a 10% higher level of hardship.

Using Xpatulator’s SPPP Calculator your report will look like the attached example
View Demo

Country Full Name: Cayman Islands.

Location: The Cayman Islands (Overseas Territory of the UK) are a three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica.

Country Climate: Tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April).

Country Terrain: Low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs.

Major Languages: English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.056 million (2008 est.) 0.056 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the Cayman Islands is mainly fueled by the tourism sector and by the financial services sector, together representing 70-80 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Caymanians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean.

Currency: Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD).

Country Inflation: 4.1% (2008 est.) 0.0% (2009 est.).

City: George Town, Grand Cayman, is the capital of the Cayman Islands, in the British West Indies.

City Economy: George Town is the heart of the Cayman Islands financial industry, with over 600 banks located there. Most of these are small one room operations, some having no physical location on the island at all. It also has cruise ship facilities and several shopping plazas.

Cost of Living: George Town 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. George Town is currently ranked 112 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

For more cost of living information on Cayman Islands, George Town

Country Full Name: The Republic of Cape Verde.

Location: Cape Verde is in Western Africa, it is a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal.

Country Climate: Temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and very erratic.

Country Terrain: Steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic.

Major Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo (a mixture of archaic Portuguese and African words).

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.50 million (2008 est.) 0.51 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Cape Verde is service-oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting for more than 70% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture and fishing contribute only about 9% of GDP. Light manufacturing accounts for most of the remainder. Expatriate Cape Verdeans contribute an amount estimated at about 20% of GDP to the domestic economy through remittances.

Currency: Cape Verde Escudo (CVE).

Country Inflation: 6.8% (2008 est.) 1.5% (2009 est.).

City: Praia is the capital and largest city of Cape Verde.

City Economy: Praia is Cape Verde?s largest city, a commercial center, and a port that ships coffee, sugar cane, and tropical fruits. Praia also has a fishing industry and there are resort beaches nearby.

Cost of Living: Praia 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. Praia is currently ranked 117 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

For more cost of living information on Cape Verde, Praia

Country Full Name: Canada.

Location: Canada is in Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the USA.

Country Climate: Varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north.

Country Terrain: Mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast.

Major Languages: English, French (both official).

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 33.3 million (2008 est.) 33.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Canada is one of the world’s wealthiest, with a high per-capita income, and it is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the G8. It is one of the world’s top ten trading nations.

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD).

Country Inflation: 2.4% (2008 est.) 0.15% (2009 est.).

City: Vancouver is a coastal city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada.

City Economy: With its location on the Pacific Rim and at the western terminus of Canada’s transcontinental highway and rail routes, Vancouver is one of the nation’s largest industrial centres. The Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest and most diversified, does trade with over 130 different economies annually. Vancouver is also the headquarters of forest product and mining companies. In recent years, Vancouver has become an increasingly important centre for software development, biotechnology and a vibrant film industry.

Cost of Living: Vancouver has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high 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. Vancouver is currently ranked 76 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

For more cost of living information on Canada, Vancouver

Country Full Name: Canada.

Location: Canada is in Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the USA.

Country Climate: Varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north.

Country Terrain: Mostly plains with mountains in west and lowlands in southeast.

Major Languages: English, French (both official).

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 33.3 million (2008 est.) 33.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Canada is one of the world’s wealthiest, with a high per-capita income, and it is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the G8. It is one of the world’s top ten trading nations.

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD).

Country Inflation: 2.4% (2008 est.) 0.15% (2009 est.).

City: Toronto is the most populous city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario.

City Economy: Toronto is a major international centre for business and finance. Generally considered the financial capital of Canada, Toronto has a high concentration of banks and brokerage firms. The Toronto Stock Exchange is one of the world’s largest. All of the Big Five banks of Canada are headquartered in Toronto, as are a majority of Canada’s corporations.

Cost of Living: Toronto has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high 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. Toronto is currently ranked 57 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

For more cost of living information on Canada, Toronto