Expat Eye on the World

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Xpatulator

 

Being much more visual when it comes to gathering information or purely learning just about anything, I am always on the look out for videos that will help me achieve this.

Deciding to become an expat IS a big deal, especially when it is the first time you take on this type of an adventure. Like any adventure or trip the most interesting part of it is to research everything about the place you are going to, from accommodation, to schools, to entertainment and shopping. The best part of researching is finding interesting and realistic information and videos where you can visualize what to expect when you arrive. You can plan better and set yourself up for positive experiences rather than nasty surprises.

So it was with great delight that I found this website that does just that, although not all locations are on here it does give a pretty good visual idea of a lot of places on our world map.

And for cost of living information that is affordable for the man on the street and accurate, look at our comprehensive international cost of living information. This information will tell you what your cost of living expectations should be when moving from your current city to your new location.
We provide great visual website with free international cost of living reviews and  cost of living rankings covering 13 baskets with 300 international locations as well as 3 premium content calculators:

Cost of Living Index Calculator

Cost of Living Allowance Calculator

Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator

Click one of the Calculators to see
an example of a full report
Reports derived from the calculators cost US$99 each. Registration is free. There are no annual subscription charges.


Register, purchase credit online and use the calculators to create, run and receive your personalized report today. To get started Register Now
Posted in cost of living, cost of living allowance, cost of living calculator, cost of living comparison, cost of living index, cost of living ranking, Expatriate Relocation, international assignment, International Cost of Living | Tagged , | Comments Off on Expat Eye on the World

How to Calculate a Cost of Living Allowance – Part 3

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Xpatulator

The formula for calculating a cost of living allowance using the inputs discussed in part 2 are as follows:

(Net Spendable Salary X Cost of Living Index X Hardship Index X Exchange Rate) less (Net Spendable Salary X Exchange Rate) = COLA

Examples of COLA Calculations using our data

Example 1) An Australian employee with a net spendable salary of AUD$100,000 moving from Perth to London where healthcare and communication will be provided by the employer

($100,000.00 X 1.2806 X 1 X 0.4768) less ($100,000.00 X 0.4768) = COLA of £13,379.44 (GBP)

Based on all the above factors a person would require a Cost of Living Allowance of £13,379.44 (GBP), in addition to their current salary of 100,000.00 Australian Dollar (AUD) to compensate for relocating from Perth to London. This Cost of Living Allowance compensates for the overall cost of living difference of +28.06% and the relative difference in hardship of 0%.

Example 2) A British employee with a net spendable salary of £18,000 moving from London to Mumbai where the employer will provide housing and education

Note: Because the Cost of Living Index is negative it is not applied.

(£18,000.00 X 1 X 1.3 X 67.2852) less (£18,000.00 X67.2852) = COLA of 363,340.32 Indian Rupee

Based on all the above factors a person would require a Cost of Living Allowance of 363,340.32 (INR ), in addition to their current salary of £18,000.00 British Pound (GBP ) to compensate for relocating from London to Mumbai. This Cost of Living Allowance compensates for the overall cost of living difference of [-30.53%] and the relative difference in hardship of 30%.

COLA Payment
The COLA is paid as a salary supplement (i.e. as an additional allowance) net of tax in the host country. If the COLA is a taxable allowance in the host country it should be grossed up in order that the full amount of calculated COLA is paid net of tax given that the basis of the calculation is Net Spendable Salary. The COLA is often accompanied by other allowances and benefits such as flights home, relocation / settling in allowance, and furnishing allowance.

Exchange Rate Fluctuations
Significant changes in the exchange rate can make a considerable difference in the COLA calculation. In 2010-2011 some of the major global exchange rates changed by as much as 30-40%.

The cost of living index reflects the changes caused by inflation and exchange rates. In the short-term there may be disequilibrium between inflation and the exchange rate (the one pushes the other), however over time the cost of living index provides the most accurate view of the cost of living.

It is important to remind expatriates that when the cost of living difference is negative, and the negative value has not been applied, they have higher purchasing power in the host country than they would at home.

Where a negative cost of living index has not been applied (our recommended approach), and a change in the exchange rate indicates an upward adjustment in COLA may be required, it is recommended that the COLA should not be adjusted upward until the cost of living index becomes positive i.e. the cost of living reflects that there is a “real” increase in cost of living between home and host countries. This may mean that their would be no increase in the COLA as a result of exchange rate fluctuations for some considerable time. During this time the employee’s purchasing power decreases. But it is important to remember that until the cost of living difference becomes positive, the individual will still have a higher purchasing power than they do in their home country.

It is advisable to stipulate a currency protection rule, rather than reacting to every fluctuation in the exchange rate. For example the rule may state that COLA will be reviewed if exchange rates or local inflation move by more than +10% during a year. It is important to keep in mind that the prices of goods and services are unlikely to drop in local currency. This would only occur in a period of deflation (negative inflation). Therefore the currency protection rule would normally make provision for upward adjustments in COLA and not downward adjustments during an employee’s assignment. Downward adjustments to an existing COLA due to exchange rate fluctuations without a corresponding drop in the prices of local goods and services puts immense pressure on an employee’s host currency budget commitments and can lead to the employee experiencing financial difficulty.

Using an independent service provider provides an independent, objective basis for determining an employee’s COLA.

We recommend therefore that a COLA is calculated by applying the specific (customized) cost of living index to the net spendable salary at the beginning of the assignment and monitoring exchange rate fluctuations thereafter in addition to the annual salary review.

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How to Calculate a Cost of Living Allowance – Part 2

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Xpatulator
The formula for calculating the specific cost of living index for an international assignment is as follows:

Cost of Living Index = Customized Cost of Living Index for Host City / Customized Cost of Living Index for Home City

When moving to a higher cost of living host city, the index will be greater than 1 (positive). When moving to a lower cost of living host city the index will be less than 1 (negative). Where the index is negative it means that in real terms the cost of living in the host city is lower than the home city. This means that if the negative index where to be applied to the employee’s salary, they would actually be paid proportionately less spendable salary in the host city. It is important to note that the majority of organizations do not apply a negative cost of living index because it makes it difficult to persuade an employee to take up an assignment as they tend to see it as a reduction in salary.

Examples of Cost of Living Index Calculations using our data:

Example 1) An Australian employee moving from Perth to London where healthcare and communication will be provided by the employer

More Expensive in London:
Alcohol & Tobacco +4.77%
Clothing +21.85%
Education +31.53%
Furniture & Appliances +16.03%
Groceries +16.35%
Household +50.72%
Miscellaneous +137.47%
Personal Care +11.18%
Recreation & Culture -6.82%
Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels +34.99%
Transport +19.80%

The overall difference in cost of living moving from Perth and London is +28.06%.

In this case the cost of living index is positive and would be applied as it is.

Example 2) A British employee moving from London to Mumbai where the employer will provide housing and education

More Expensive in Mumbai:
Alcohol & Tobacco -37.53%
Clothing -9.58%
Communication -44.92%
Furniture & Appliances -19.31%
Groceries -24.03%
Healthcare -31.24%
Miscellaneous -72.43%
Personal Care -24.94%
Recreation & Culture -35.73%
Restaurants Meals Out and Hotels -33.11%
Transport is -27.99%

The overall difference in cost of living moving from London Mumbai is -30.53%.

In this case the cost of living index is negative and would not be applied.

Net Spendable Salary

Differences in cost of living only impact the portion of the salary that is spendable in the host country. Items in the home country such as retirement funding, medical insurance and other home based costs are not impacted by the cost of living in the host country.

To determine the Net Spendable Salary establish what amount / portion of the current salary (in home currency) is spent in maintaining the employee’s current standard of living / lifestyle. What will the expatriate need to spend their salary on in the host country? For example will accommodation be provided or will the employee pay rent, will healthcare be provided etc. Deduct all items that are either provided in kind or are spendable in the home country. Deduct the hypothetical amount of tax, social contributions and any other statutory deductions applicable in the home country from the Spendable Salary. What is left is the Net Spendable Salary.

In part 3 we discuss the formula for calculating a cost of living allowance using the above inputs
Posted in cost of living allowance, cost of living calculator, International Cost of Living | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

How to Calculate a Cost of Living Allowance – Part 1

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Xpatulator
A Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is a salary supplement paid to employees to cover differences in the cost of living, particularly as a result of an international assignment.

The amount of COLA should enable an expatriate to be able to purchase the same basket of goods and services in the host location as they could in their home country. The basis for calculating a COLA is the Cost of Living Index (COLI) which indexes the costs of the same basket of goods and services in different geographic locations. COLA is a simple accurate method of measuring fluctuating salary purchasing power and ensuring parity.

Cost of Living Index
Xpatulator’s cost of Living Indexes measure the cost of 230 products and services across 13 different basket groups in 300 cities across the globe. The data is gathered by a team of research analysts who survey comparable items that are available internationally. A minimum of 3 prices for the same brand/size/volume of product is used to determine the average price for each item in each location. The items are priced on a quarterly basis and tend to rise and fall with inflation. The 13 different basket categories are as follows:

  1. Alcohol & Tobacco: Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products
  2. Clothing: Clothing and footwear products
  3. Communication
  4. Education
  5. Furniture & Appliances: Furniture, household equipment and household appliances
  6. Groceries: Food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material
  7. Healthcare: General Healthcare, Medical and Medical Insurance
  8. Household Accommodation: Housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes
  9. Miscellaneous: Stationary, Linen and general goods and services
  10. Personal Care: Personal Care products and services
  11. Recreation and Culture
  12. Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotels
  13. Transport: Public Transport, Vehicle Costs, Vehicle Fuel, Vehicle Insurance and Vehicle Maintenance

Each basket category does not count equally and are weighted in the final calculation based on expatriate spending patterns.

In order to calculate an accurate cost of living index for a specific individual the basket items that are not relevant to the individual should be excluded from the calculation. For example if education and housing is provided by the employer these basket categories would be excluded from the cost of living index calculation. This increases the accuracy of the cost of living index and makes it possible for each individual to have their own customized cost of living index based on their specific arrangements rather than using an overall “generic” index which is likely to contains costs that are not relevant to the individual.

In part 2 we discuss the formula for calculating the specific cost of living index for an international assignment.

Posted in cost of living allowance, cost of living calculator, cost of living comparison, cost of living index, cost of living ranking | Tagged , , | Comments Off on How to Calculate a Cost of Living Allowance – Part 1

The Provisional 7Wonders of the World, is Your Country 1?

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Xpatulator

On the 11/11/11, just to make it ever so exciting with a special date line, the provisional 7Wonders of the World were announced. I wonder did you notice the announcement and if so did you notice who was nominated and who was left off the list?

Is your country’s wonder one of the wonders that made it, or just fell off or just did not figure?  Take a quick look here and see for yourself….Listed in alphabetical order just to ensure no one gets upset.

1. The Amazon River

Runs through Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana,Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. The Amazonia, the Amazon jungle and the Amazon Basin, encompasses a massive seven million square kilometers i.e. 1.7 billion acres.  The Amazon forest occupies 5.5 million square kilometers of this (1.4 billion acres) lying within nine nations.  The Amazon comprises over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests and has the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world.  With the Amazon River being the largest river in the world by volume, it accounts for one-fifth of the total worlds river flow, it has the biggest drainage basin on the planet, contains creatures that are still being discovered and has a total flow greater than the top ten rivers combined worldwide. Even more interesting is that not one single bridge crosses the Amazon.

2. Halong Bay

Found in the Quang Ninh province of Vietnam, has a 120 kilometer coastline and is approximately 1,553 square kilometers in size with 1969 islets. lt features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes.  Several of the islands found along the coastline are hollow with enormous caves, and an abundance of lakes inside the limestone islands which occupy drowned dolines within fengcong karst.  Some of the islands support floating fishing villages, who ply the shallow waters for the 200 species of fish and 450  different kinds of mollusks.

3. Iguaza Falls

Iguaza Falls is made up collectively of 275 smaller falls and is found in the Iguaza River Argentina Brazil. It is one of the world’s largest waterfalls with the tallest fall called the “Devil’s Throat” being the tallest at 80m.  The falls extend to over 2,700 meters (almost 2 miles) and are shaped in a semi-circle. The falls are surrounded by two National Parks (BR/ARG) and are found on the border between the Brazilian State of Parana and the Argentine province of Misiones, both being subtropical rainforest areas which host hundreds of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.

4.Jeju Island

Jeju Island (Jejudo) is a volcanic island found 130 kilometers from the southern coast of Korea, it has a surface area of 1,846 square kilometers and is the largest island and smallest province in the country. The dormant volcano on the island is the tallest mountain in South Korea rising 1,950 m above sea level with 360 satellite volcanoes forming around the main volcano.

5. Komodo National Park

Found in Indonesia, the park includes the three larger islands Komodo, Rinca and Padar, including some smaller ones of volcanic origin, making up a total area of 1,817 square kilometers (603 square kilometers of it land). Founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, and later dedicated to protecting other species as well as marine animals.

6. PP Underground River

The Philippines boasts the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park which is located approximately 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Its main feature is a limestone karst mountain landscape with an 8.2 kilometers navigable underground river. It winds through a cave with major formations of stalactites and stalagmites with several large chambers with the lower portion of the river being subjedt to tidal influences, before flowing directly into the South China Sea.  The underground river is reputed as the world’s longest, at the mouth of the cave, a clear lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the water’s edge, monkeys, large lizards and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

7. Table Mountain

A national icon situated in South Africa, it is the only natural site on the planet to have a constellation of stars named after it – Mensa, meaning “the table”. The gateway to Africa and the most recognized site in Cape Town owing to its unique flat-topped peaks reach up to 1,086 m above sea level. This flat-topped mountain hosts the richest and smallest floral kingdom on earth with over 1,470 floral species, hosting rare and endangered species.

Confirmed winners will be announced at the Official Inauguration ceremony in 2012.

Is your country one of the above?  If not find it here.

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Cost of Living – Household Accommodation – October 2011

Posted on November 12, 2011 by Xpatulator

Cost of living rank of Household cost of living indexes as at October 2011 for 300 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.

 

Household costs include 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.

 

Xpatulator.com is the most comprehensive source of international cost of living index information.

 

Premium Content Calculators:

 

The SPPP report calculates how much you need to earn in another location to compensate for a higher cost of living, hardship, and the exchange rate, in order to have the same relative spending power and as a result have a similar standard of living as you have in your current location. Each new SPPP report uses 1 credit ($99). Recommended for a detailed comparison of 2 locations.

 

The COLA report calculates how much additional allowance (over and above your current salary) you need to earn in another location to compensate for a higher cost of living, hardship and the exchange rate, in order to have the same relative spending power and as a result have a similar standard of living as you have in your current location. Each new COLA report uses 1 credit ($99). Recommended for calculation of a cost of living allowance for short-term assignments.

 

The COLI report calculates cost of living indexes for the host locations you select, using the home location you specify. You can choose from any one of the 13 baskets or you can choose the overall cost of living index. Each new COLI report uses 1 credit ($99) allowing you to choose 1 home location and up to 300 available host locations.Recommended for the calculation of 3 or more cost of living indexes using your choice of base city.

 

1 credit costs $99. Register, buy credits online and you can run the premium content calculators and receive your reports online within minutes.

 

The October 2011 household international cost of living rank is as follows:

 

October 2011 Rank Country, City

 

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

 

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

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Cost of living – Healthcare – October 2011

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Xpatulator

Cost of living rank of Healthcare cost of living indexes as at October 2011 for 300 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.

Healthcare costs include 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.

Xpatulator.com is the most comprehensive source of international cost of living index information.

Premium Content Calculators:

Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator (SPPP): Download Demo SPPP Report
The SPPP report calculates how much you need to earn in another location to compensate for a higher cost of living, hardship, and the exchange rate, in order to have the same relative spending power and as a result have a similar standard of living as you have in your current location. Each new SPPP report uses 1 credit ($99). Recommended for a detailed comparison of 2 locations.

Cost of Living Allowance Calculator (COLA): Download Demo COLA Report
The COLA report calculates how much additional allowance (over and above your current salary) you need to earn in another location to compensate for a higher cost of living, hardship and the exchange rate, in order to have the same relative spending power and as a result have a similar standard of living as you have in your current location. Each new COLA report uses 1 credit ($99). Recommended for calculation of a cost of living allowance for short-term assignments.

Cost of Living Index Calculator (COLI) : Download Demo COLI Report
The COLI report calculates cost of living indexes for the host locations you select, using the home location you specify. You can choose from any one of the 13 baskets or you can choose the overall cost of living index. Each new COLI report uses 1 credit ($99) allowing you to choose 1 home location and up to 300 available host locations.Recommended for the calculation of 3 or more cost of living indexes using your choice of base city.

1 credit costs $99. Register, buy credits online and you can run the premium content calculators and receive your reports online within minutes.

The October 2011 healthcare international cost of living rank is as follows:

October 2011 Rank Country, City

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

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

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Cost of Living – Groceries – October 2011

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Xpatulator

Cost of living rank of Grocery cost of living indexes as at October 2011 for 300 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.

Grocery costs include 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 and herbs.

Xpatulator.com is the most comprehensive source of international cost of living index information.

Premium Content Calculators:

Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator (SPPP): Download Demo SPPP Report
The SPPP report calculates how much you need to earn in another location to compensate for a higher cost of living, hardship, and the exchange rate, in order to have the same relative spending power and as a result have a similar standard of living as you have in your current location. Each new SPPP report uses 1 credit ($99). Recommended for a detailed comparison of 2 locations.

Cost of Living Allowance Calculator (COLA): Download Demo COLA Report
The COLA report calculates how much additional allowance (over and above your current salary) you need to earn in another location to compensate for a higher cost of living, hardship and the exchange rate, in order to have the same relative spending power and as a result have a similar standard of living as you have in your current location. Each new COLA report uses 1 credit ($99). Recommended for calculation of a cost of living allowance for short-term assignments.

Cost of Living Index Calculator (COLI) : Download Demo COLI Report
The COLI report calculates cost of living indexes for the host locations you select, using the home location you specify. You can choose from any one of the 13 baskets or you can choose the overall cost of living index. Each new COLI report uses 1 credit ($99) allowing you to choose 1 home location and up to 300 available host locations.Recommended for the calculation of 3 or more cost of living indexes using your choice of base city.

1 credit costs $99. Register, buy credits online and you can run the premium content calculators and receive your reports online within minutes.

The October 2011 grocery international cost of living rank is as follows:

October 2011 Rank Country, City

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

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

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Cost of Living – Furniture & Appliances – October 2011

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Xpatulator

Cost of living rank of Furniture & Appliance cost of living indexes as at October 2011 for 300 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.

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.

Xpatulator.com is the most comprehensive source of international cost of living index information.

Premium Content Calculators:

Salary Purchasing Power Parity Calculator (SPPP) : Download Demo SPPP Report
The SPPP report calculates how much you need to earn in another location to compensate for a higher cost of living, hardship, and the exchange rate, in order to have the same relative spending power and as a result have a similar standard of living as you have in your current location. Each new SPPP report uses 1 credit ($99). Recommended for a detailed comparison of 2 locations.

Cost of Living Allowance Calculator (COLA): Download Demo COLA Report
The COLA report calculates how much additional allowance (over and above your current salary) you need to earn in another location to compensate for a higher cost of living, hardship and the exchange rate, in order to have the same relative spending power and as a result have a similar standard of living as you have in your current location. Each new COLA report uses 1 credit ($99). Recommended for calculation of a cost of living allowance for short-term assignments.

Cost of Living Index Calculator (COLI) : Download Demo COLI Report
The COLI report calculates cost of living indexes for the host locations you select, using the home location you specify. You can choose from any one of the 13 baskets or you can choose the overall cost of living index. Each new COLI report uses 1 credit ($99) allowing you to choose 1 home location and up to 300 available host locations.Recommended for the calculation of 3 or more cost of living indexes using your choice of base city.

1 credit costs $99. Register, buy credits online and you can run the premium content calculators and receive your reports online within minutes.

The October 2011 furniture & appliance international cost of living rank is as follows:

October 2011 Rank Country, City

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

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Expat Festivities while far from home….

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Xpatulator
Being an Expat permits unusual and fascinating events to occur while on your adventure, you belong to a community where celebrating different customs and traditions is an opportunity.
Our first cultural event to be experienced was Ramadan and Eid, this was fascinating and insightful.  Coming from South Africa, we have a diverse society with a mix of cultures, our suburb constitutes Christians, Muslims and Jews with Churches, Mosaics and Synagogues praising God down the road from each other. Our African, British, Greek, Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, American, completely international cultures live together freely and without prejudice. I loved where we lived and still do, everyone is happy and friendly and we reside side by side without discriminating but equally without ever emerging into each others lives.
Being an expat changes your perspective on just about everything, you become more aware of cultural and religious differences, in a positive and energizing sense.  We started our adventure off with heading straight into the heat of the Arabian gulf and our first Ramadan, was both educational and insightful.  I became more aware of the call to prayer, of the berka and abaya and the reasons behind the religious and cultural events that occur in the Islamic faith.  My first Ramadan was a special event, we noted how everyone forfeited their basic need for food and water from sunrise to sunset, and the month is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. At sunset the family gathers together to break the fast with Iftar (fast breaking meal).  Eid Al-Fitr marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan. A special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor; everyone puts on their best, usually new, clothes; and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends.
The Canadian and American Thanksgivings are celebrated on different days and months and for different reasons.  The Canadian Thanksgiving is held on the second Monday in October and goes back to an explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean. Frobisher’s Thanksgiving was celebrated for homecoming, he had safely returned from an unsuccessful search for the Northwest Passage.  In 1578, Frobisher held a formal ceremony in Newfoundland to give thanks for surviving the long journey.  The tradition of a feast was continued years later, as more settlers began to arrive in the Canadian colonies.
The American Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day, is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, and has officially been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving during the Civil War.
The event that Americans commonly call the “First Thanksgiving” was celebrated to give thanks to Native Americans for helping the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony survive their first brutal winter in New England, the first Thanksgiving feast lasted for three days.
We have also started celebrating Halloween and have amazing American friends who have brought all their decorations with them from home. Added to this they have all the traditional games of feeling through jelly to find the witches eggs and walking blind folded through spider webs and of course the scary movies, costumes and copious amounts of sweets that get handed out and eaten!
Traditionally Halloween is thought to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In a number of countries around the world, as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, people continue to usher in the winter season with gatherings, costumes and sweet treats.  Celebrated on 31 October it is a time of celebration and superstition.
We always celebrate our own religious holidays with those friends that we hold near and dear being so far away from home.  Living in a compound, it is not uncommon to walk around and notice different front doors decorated with some fantastical decorations for a special event that is being celebrated in that expats land. It is a magical time for each community and a special occasion for other expats to learn about and appreciate their neighbors.
Diwali, which although we have not celebrated, we have listened to the enthusiastic stories of the festival from our Indian friends. It is one of the biggest festival of Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and happiness in India. The festival is celebrated for five continuous days, where the third day is celebrated as the main Diwali festival or ‘Festival of lights’.
Different colorful varieties of fireworks are always associated with this festival. On this auspicious day, people light up diyas and candles all around their house. They perform Laxmi Puja in the evening and seek divine blessings of the Goddess of Wealth. The festival of Diwali is never complete without exchange of gifts. People present Diwali gifts to all near and dear ones.
We always celebrate our own religious holidays with those friends that we hold near and dear being so far away from home.  Living in a compound, it is not uncommon to walk around and notice different front doors decorated with some fantastical decorations for a special event that is being celebrated in that expats land. It is a magical time for each community and a special occasion for other expats to learn about and appreciate their neighbors.
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