Asia Pacific Cost of Living for the second half of 2015

Singapore remains the 2nd most expensive city in the Asia-Pacific region for expatriates and tops the region rankings when costs related to housing, education, medical and transport are excluded.  While Hong Kong has retained the top spot (overall most expensive in Asia-Pacific) due to the extremely high housing costs, as well as high cost of schooling and limited space available making rentals high. 
What are the other changes to the cost of living rankings for the second half of 2015?

Read all the news here.

Xpatulator.com has been conducting research into cost of living and hardship since 2007. The data is used to help companies calculate cost of living and hardship differences so that their employees' purchasing power is maintained while on an international assignment. The cost of living data compares 13 different baskets of goods and services commonly purchased by expatriates in over 780 locations worldwide.

An Expat From South Africa to Ireland to China

Every country an expat moves to is different from where they have come from, from subtle differences to major cultural changes that sometimes are not easy to adjust to.  We have asked expats across the world to tell us about their experiences and give a little advice to those that are thinking of moving.

Read our blog every week for a new expat and a new destination.

 Natalie Cossavella living in China

Where are you originally from?

I’m from South Africa

Is this your first expat experience? If not where have you lived before?

No, I lived in Ireland for 12 years.

Where are you living now?

I now live in Wuxi, China.

How long have you lived here for?

I’ve lived here for 10 Months.

What was your first impression of the city / country you moved to?

It was definitely not what I had expected. It’s a lot cleaner and not as shocking as I would have thought. Maybe a hint of disappointment as I was looking for a shock factor.

What do you like the most about where you are living now?

That I get to travel around Asia and it’s so affordable!

What do you like the least about where you are living now?

That I don’t think I’ll be able to become accustomed to the culture. I have a lot of patience but I don’t think it’s enough to extend my stay over a year.

What do you do for fun?

Travel or Socialise or both!

What is the funniest / strangest cultural experience you have had?

Seeing a mother helping her daughter use the public road, in the city, as a toilet. I had to laugh at this but that’s more shocking than funny really (they do specially make children’s pants with a gap at the bum area). This has happened more often than not and worse when it’s an adult.

How did you find the cost of living compared to your home? More or less expensive? Why?

Much cheaper!! Except if you would like to buy quality food and clothes, they generally add up to roughly the same. In China you can barter down prices.

Did the company help with your move? How?

Yes. They helped me find accommodation as well as sorted out all the legal documents i.e. Visa process and were readily available on Skype and email before I left.

Does your company pay for any of the following -

Basket Group	Yes	No
Clothing		x
Communication (e.g. Internet; Telephone)		x
Education (e.g. Children’s School Fees)		x
Furniture & Appliances (e.g. Semi-Furnished Housing)		x
Groceries		x
Healthcare (e.g. Medical Insurance; Medical Facilities)		x
Household Accommodation (e.g. Housing or Housing Allowance)		x
Personal Care		x
Recreation and Culture (e.g. Fitness Club Fees)	x	x
Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotels	x	x
Transport (e.g. Company Vehicle or Transport Allowance)	x
Air Fare Home each year		x

What does your company not pay for that you feel it should pay for?

Chinese Lessons. It has taken over 6 months for one of our Chinese Teaching Assistants to offer her free time for us. Where the school should have more of an interest to help their foreign staff learn the local language. This will help tremendously with communication with the Chinese staff and just a general helping hand.

Did you do research before your move on what you needed to earn to maintain or increase your standard of living?

Yes I did but only what I thought was enough as the company provided me with as much information that I needed. (In the end, not quite what they say, but generally they were ok).

If so, what research did you do?

Google, Skype calls, emails to people that had already been there and spoke to a friend that was living in the country at the time.

What do you find expensive in your Host city?

Fruit and all western stores, which is fair enough. Other than that, it’s very cheap all around.

Do you have any advice for readers on becoming an expat and the type of research to do before hand?

I came with the mind set of experiencing things first hand, more than to research thoroughly. I think the only thing you need to think about is are you willing to adjust to possibly a completely different and maybe even difficult way of life? I’ve been very lucky with all the places I’ve lived but China being my first solo trip, I do wish I read up more about the current lifestyle and not the historical side. I came here to travel, so it all depends what reasoning you have behind moving. The one thing that is very important is that you need to be willing to ask questions, adapt, befriend strangers and take risks but be street smart.

Any favourite websites  / blogs about where you live, that can help others with their move?

There’s nothing fantastic that I found about China but just a general traveller’s blog, that I love to read is: http://www.nomadicmatt.com/

Do you have a blog or website?

A private one only that’s been very neglected unfortunately.

Xpatulator.com provides up-to-date cost of living data for over 700 locations worldwide, employers and employees can calculate how much is needed to earn in another location to have a similar spending power. Steven McManus is a Remuneration and Benefits Consultant and founder of  http://www.xpatulator.com

Four Cities You Should Consider Living In As An Expat

Xpatulator.com's Cost of Living Rankings always highlight the most expensive cities to live in as an expat, but what about the cheaper cities, the ones that will curl your toes, that are less costly, more interesting and offer great opportunities.  

Read more about four of the most overlooked cities where the cost of living is relatively low.

1. Dalian - The Back Door to China

China’s two largest cities - Shanghai and Beijing have been steadily climbing up the global cost of living rankings.

Shanghai breaking into the top twenty in 17th position, according to Xpatulator.com’s 2014 Q1 report. 

Beijing coming in at 28th spot. Why? Rising housing costs have made the biggest jump while everything from transportation to groceries has also been climbing.

However it is the little known Dalian that has a long history of foreign workers.

Dalian ranks 227th in the cost of living rankings of 780 locations. Compared to Shanghai, a luxury 3-bedroom suburban apartment will cost roughly half at $1271 USD per month in Dalian compared to $2371 in Shanghai. Taxi fares are also around 20% cheaper.  

In 2006 China Daily News ranked Dalian as China’s most livable city. For western workers, companies like Dell and Intel both have manufacturing and administrative offices here.

2. Budapest - The Unsung European Capital

Capital cities in Europe such as Stockholm, Paris and Oslo were near the top of the rankings, Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is the bargain city to be looking at. Budapest placed 536th out of the over 700 cities.

In a pub in Budapest you can expect to pay the equivalent of 89 U.S. pennies for a half liter bottle of domestic beer, while a local brew in Geneva, runs up to $2.54, nearly three times more. A four star hotel in Budapest averages $204 USD a night while in Geneva, expect to pay around $540.

The purchasing power parity (PPP) of the average Budapest wage earner is 147% of the average for the European Union as a whole. With nearly 400,000 companies operating in the city there are excellent opportunities in virtually every industry.

3. Cape Town - From Supply Stop to Global Center

This former colony has become a major international center. As the home of the South African Parliament, it also ranks as the manufacturing and business center for the southern part of the country. Almost every major international company has their manufacturing and operations headquartered here, including Johnson & Johnson, Levis Strauss and Adidas.

Despite its position as a global city, Cape Town ranks 550th on the Xpatulator.com global cost of living. Comparing costs it’s not hard to see why Cape Town is attracting attention among foreign workers. A Big Mac, can cost the equivalent of $4.18 USD, while the cost of private schooling - yearly tuition at an international school in Cape Town averages $8,320.

Cape Town is also actively promoting itself as a destination for foreign workers in key professions where it sees a skills gap. While unemployment in rural areas of South Africa is as high as 70% due to a large number of unskilled workers; teachers, engineers, medical and IT workers are in high demand and are eligible for special work permits through the S.A. Department of Home Affairs.

4. Calgary - Canadian Hub for Oil and Gas

Calgary is the booming center for Canada’s oil and natural gas industry, and it’s fastest growing economy. 

As the corporate headquarters for virtually every company involved in developing the Alberta tar sands, as well as renewed production from what is known in the industry as non-traditional drilling, Calgary is a bastion of stability in the global world of big oil.

Many expats are moving to this city from other places such as the volatile Caracas.

As the 87th most expensive city on Xpatulator.com’s latest report, Calgary is not cheap. When you consider however that the top 3 most expensive cities in the World are centers for oil and gas, Calgary becomes an attractive option. Canadian news agency, the Globe and Mail has reported that workers have been moving to Calgary “en mass” from the troubled oil fields of Caracas, Venezuela. Caracas ranks #2 and Luanda, Angola ranks #1 among the World’s most expensive cities.

  

In a global economy, international experience is a huge boost to personal marketability. As markets and businesses spill across borders and around the globe, the demand for skilled workers with international business experience and cultural sensitivity is growing. For experienced expat workers in many key positions there is also the prospect of an exceptionally high standard of living.

The new global cost of living rankings released by Xpatulator.com reveal that costs have risen sharply in many of the most popular destinations for expat workers, but there are still low cost cities with great opportunities.

If you are considering an overseas assignment you can access detailed cost of living ranking information on any one of 780 different locations through Xpatulator.com. Their online calculators also help you estimate the salary and benefits you will need to maintain the same purchasing power and standard of living on an overseas assignment.

A tale of two expats

Life is easier for Western expatriates in China than it is for Chinese expatriates in the West

Western expatriates in China have a far easier time than they did a generation ago. They no longer huddle in drab hotels and endure Maoist standards of food and service. These days they can have almost anything, for a price: soufflés and sushi, Western-style villas with gardens, private schools with famous names for their children. (Harrow and Dulwich College, two posh British schools, both have offshoots in Beijing.)

The air in China may be gritty and the censorship irksome. Conference calls with head offices in America at 4am are tedious. But life is otherwise comfortable. And business in China is more exciting than perhaps anywhere else on Earth.

Expatriate Chinese executives are a relatively new phenomenon, and a sign of Chinese strength. Previous waves of emigrants fled China because the country was poor, violent and despotically ruled. They sought a better life elsewhere, and usually found it. They arrived with nothing, prospered through wit and hard work, and often settled permanently abroad.

The new Chinese expatriates are different. They are sent abroad because the Chinese firms they work for are expanding. They arrive on foreign shores with the security of a job and a salary. Their assignments are temporary: they expect to return after a few years.

Their situation is in many ways like that of a Western expatriate, but there are glaring differences. Western expats in China have typically moved from a liberal democracy with a sluggish economy to an authoritarian state with a fast-growing one. Chinese expats in the West have done the opposite. Each journey presents its own challenges. This article seeks to illustrate them, unscientifically, by contrasting the life of a Western expat in China with that of a Chinese expat in Europe.

http://www.economist.com/node/17797134?story_id=17797134

China, Wuhan Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: China is in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam. Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, and is the most populous city in China. Wuhan lies at the east of Jianghan Plain, and the intersection of the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han River. Wuhan is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and expressways passing through the city.

CAPITAL CITY: Beijing

LARGEST CITY: Shanghai

CURRENCY: Chinese Yuan Renminibi (CNY)

ECONOMY: China's economy is a market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Since 1978, the economy has been restructured resulting in efficiency gains which have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP. By the end of 2005 China had benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with more than 100 million users. In 2006 China was the second-largest economy in the world after the US. China's remarkable expansion in world trade is also due to foreign investment and has been an important factor in the growth of urban jobs. A long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table. Wuhan is an important functional centre for economy, trade, finance, transportation, information and technology, and education in Central China. Wuhan's major sectors include modern industrial manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, steel manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and biology engineering.
Wuhan has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Wuhan is currently ranked 264 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 131 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 69 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 112 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 249 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 158 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 225 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 252 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 236 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 174 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 230 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 250 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 260 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 272 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for Wuhan is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Wuhan is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Wuhan is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.

China, Tianjin Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: China is in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam. Tianjin is the second largest city in northern coastal China. Its urban area is the third largest in China, ranked only after Beijing and Shanghai.

CAPITAL CITY: Beijing

LARGEST CITY: Shanghai

CURRENCY: Chinese Yuan Renminibi (CNY)

ECONOMY: China's economy is a market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Since 1978, the economy has been restructured resulting in efficiency gains which have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP. By the end of 2005 China had benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with more than 100 million users. In 2006 China was the second-largest economy in the world after the US. China's remarkable expansion in world trade is also due to foreign investment and has been an important factor in the growth of urban jobs. A long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table. Tianjin largest economic sector is manufacturing, farmland is also a large sector wheat, rice, and maize are the most important crops. Fishing is important along the coast. Tianjin is also an important industrial base. Major industries include petrochemical industries, textiles, car manufacturing, mechanical industries, and metalworking. Tianjin also has energy and resources including deposits of about 1 billion tones of petroleum, with Dagang District containing important oilfields. Salt production is also important, with Changlu Yanqu being one of China's most important salt production areas. Geothermal energy is another resource of Tianjin. Deposits of manganese and boron under Tianjin were the first to be found in China.
Tianjin has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Tianjin is currently ranked 276 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 237 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 140 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 205 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 265 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 238 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 270 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 274 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 266 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 239 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 264 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 268 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 276 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 276 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for Tianjin is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Tianjin is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Tianjin is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.

China, Shenzhen Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: China is in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam. Shenzhen is a city of sub-provincial administrative status in southern China's Guangdong province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong.

CAPITAL CITY: Beijing

LARGEST CITY: Shanghai

CURRENCY: Chinese Yuan Renminibi (CNY)

ECONOMY: China's economy is a market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Since 1978, the economy has been restructured resulting in efficiency gains which have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP. By the end of 2005 China had benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with more than 100 million users. In 2006 China was the second-largest economy in the world after the US. China's remarkable expansion in world trade is also due to foreign investment and has been an important factor in the growth of urban jobs. A long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table. Shenzhen is Southern China's major financial centre home to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange as well as the headquarters of numerous high-tech companies. Shenzhen is also the second busiest port in mainland China, ranking only after Shanghai.
Shenzhen has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Shenzhen is currently ranked 256 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 121 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 59 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 107 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 245 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 136 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 211 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 243 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 232 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 168 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 223 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 244 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 259 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 271 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for Shenzhen is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Shenzhen is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Shenzhen is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.

China, Shanghai Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: China is in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam.

CAPITAL CITY: Beijing

LARGEST CITY: Shanghai

CURRENCY: Chinese Yuan Renminibi (CNY)

ECONOMY: China's economy is a market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy. Since 1978, the economy has been restructured resulting in efficiency gains which have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP. By the end of 2005 China had benefited from a huge expansion in computer Internet use, with more than 100 million users. In 2006 China was the second-largest economy in the world after the US. China's remarkable expansion in world trade is also due to foreign investment and has been an important factor in the growth of urban jobs. A long-term threat to growth is the deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural centre of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. Shanghai is widely regarded as the citadel of China's modern economy, the city also serves as one of the nation's most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers. Shanghai is one of the world's busiest ports and is a critical centre of communication with the Western world.
Shanghai has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Shanghai is currently ranked 193 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 45 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 19 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 46 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 211 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 42 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 94 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 168 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 178 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 101 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 170 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 193 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 234 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 266 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for Shanghai is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Shanghai is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Shanghai is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.