Expatriate International Cost of Living

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

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: Ottawa is the capital of Canada and a municipality within the Province of Ontario.

City Economy: Ottawa’s economy is dominated by the Canadian federal government and the hi-tech industry. Ottawa has become known as Silicon Valley North.

Cost of Living: Ottawa 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. Ottawa is currently ranked 143 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

For more cost of living information on Canada Ottawa

This report provides you with the rank of Transport cost of living indexes as at April 2010 for each of the 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). The calculators make use of the cost of living indexes, based on your input and Xpatulator’s data, to create reports online which you can save, e-mail or convert to a pdf file.

Transport costs include 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.

The April 2010 transport international cost of living rank is as follows:

April 2010 Rank Country, City

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

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

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: Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada and the largest city in the province of Quebec.

City Economy: Montreal’s economy is the second largest of all cities in Canada and the largest in Quebec. The city is today an important centre of commerce, finance, industry, technology, culture, and world affairs.

Cost of Living: Montreal 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. Montreal is currently ranked 115 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

For more cost of living information on Canada, Montreal