The Economist Intelligence Unit (The EIU) is the research and analysis division of The Economist Group and they have published a 'World Cost of Living 2017' report that ranks cities across the world based on how expensive or cheap life there actually is.
Singapore has been in the top position for four years and this year has been no different. However, there have been significant changes in other cities such as Paris which is only 7 per cent pricier than New York (used as the base standard of 100) compared to five years ago when it was 50 per cent more expensive. Manchester in United Kingdom fell 25 positions from last year to 51.
Most expensive cities to live in
Asian cities dominate the most expensive list, but grocery shopping is one of the priciest factors here, while in Europe the most expensive things to do fall in the recreation and entertainment activities.
Rank | City | Country | Cost of living Index |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Singapore | Singapore | 120 |
2 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 114 |
3 | Zurich | Switzerland | 113 |
4 | Tokyo | Japan | 110 |
5 | Osaka | Japan | 109 |
6 | Seoul | Korea | 108 |
7 | Geneva | Switzerland | 107 |
7 | Paris | France | 107 |
9 | New York | United States of America | 100 |
9 | Copenhagen | Denmark | 100 |
Cheapest cities to live in
India has three of its major cities in the cheapest rankings which is largely attributed to the population numbers and income inequality. Supply and labour chain costs are also much lower, in comparison to Western standards. However, many of the cities in the list are getting cheaper due to political unrest along with economic disruption.
Rank | City | Country | Cost of living Index |
---|---|---|---|
133 | Almaty | Kazakhstan | 38 |
132 | Lagos | Nigeria | 39 |
131 | Bangalore | India | 42 |
130 | Karachi | Pakistan | 44 |
127 | Algiers | Algeria | 45 |
127 | Chennai | India | 45 |
127 | Mumbai | India | 45 |
124 | Kiev | Ukraine | 47 |
124 | Bucharest | Romania | 47 |
124 | New Delhi | India | 47 |