Top 10 Most Expensive Cities

TOP 10 MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES TO LIVE IN 2010



1. Luanda Angola

2. Tokyo Japan

3. N'Djamena Chad

4. Moscow Russia

5. Geneva Switzerland

6. Libreville Gabon

7. Osaka Japan

8. Hong Kong

8. Zurich Switzerland

10. Copenhagen Denmark



Cost of living



1 LUANDA Angola



Prices for housing and food continue to rise dramatically in Luanda, making this city the most expensive place to live in for 2010.



The city has experienced an oil boom, which has meant Luanda grew well beyond its means, very quickly, and attracted waves of foreign workers - all competing for the new scare resources.



When an estimated two thirds on Angolans live on less than $2 a day, most will never be able to afford a car in their lifetime, even though the oil boom has made gasoline the most affordable commodity where one litre of gasoline costs just $0.55 To renet a luxury two bedroom apartment will cost $7,000 per month and even a fast food meat will cost you $17.50.



2 TOKYO Japan



Tokyo is one of the most populated cities in the world, and as the capital of Japan, Tokyo now has more than 13 million people living in the 2,000 square kilometres of the city. As a result, housing is at a premium because Tokyo is often hit by earthquakes, and cannot build skyscrapers. This means that some of the world's most expensive land is in Tokyo.



Expats often need to live in the city, and as a result can find themselves paying $4,436 a month for a two bedroom apartment.



It is the continuing strength of the yen which has lead to Japan being so close to the top ranking, as the yen has gained value by 30% against the US dollar, after a fall three years ago.



3. N'DJAMENA Chad



Ndjamena has a high cost of living due to years of civil war, which has made foreign investors reluctant to invest any capital into the region. The landscape and commodities ravaged by the civil war have lead to a high demand for even the most basic items, and with no financial assistance coming from foreign investors, there is no way to increase the supply, reduce the demand, and in turn reduce prices. The economy in Chad is one of the poorest in the world as well, where 80% of the population live below the poverty line.



4. MOSCOW Russia



In Moscow, the energy, chemical, software development and machinery industries have generated significant wealth, making the city a very expensive place to live, and to visit. This new found excess wealth has attracted many luxury retailers, hotels and restaurants to fulfil indulgences, but even a two bedroom apartment can cost the average expatriate more than $3,600 per month to rent. However, it is your daily hit of caffeine which could really start to hurt with a cup of coffee costing $8.29 making this the most expensive cup of coffee in the world.



5. GENEVA Switzerland



Geneva is a truly global city, the head of the United Nations and the Red Cross, Geneva is a financial hub and the world's centre for diplomacy and international cooperation. In

Geneva food prices are 45% more expensive than anywhere else in Western Europe and the costs of standard electronics and appliances was found to be the highest in the world, in a 2009 UBS report. Housing in Geneva is at a premium as well, with a two bedroom luxury apartment starting at $4,010 per month.



6. OSAKA Japan



On the same island as Tokyo, Osaka also has a high population density of approximately 3 million people. There are also a number of large multinational companies headquartered in Osaka, and the high wages of their employees leads to a high cost of living and a high cost for land. With such competition for real estate in this already crowded island city, there is not enough supply of apartments and property leading to premium prices.



7. LIBREVILLE Gabon



The capital, Libreville itself is a coastal city and as a result is the country's largest city, and a major port and trade centre for lumber. The desire for expatriates to continue to consume Western foods and goods makes Libreville a very expensive to live in. Many of the items and goods familiar to foreign workers must be flown in to Gabon, making them much more expensive than local produce and items. For example, fast food meals which are so convenient for most of us, will cost $27.08.



8. HONG KONG



Tied in the 8th place, Hong Kong is an expensive hub of a city thanks to an ever growing population putting a high demand on commodities, services and particularly real estate, where housing is the biggest expense for any expatriate to cover. Hong Kong sits on an area of just 1,100 square kilmetres, and is home to more than 6.88 million people. With such a densely populated city, housing is at a premium, and so is the price. To rent a luxury two bedroom apartment in Hong Kong will cost around $4,248 per month.



8. ZURICH Switzerland



Zurich is the commercial capital of Switzerland--fulfilling its role as a major business centre, and the headquarters for many financial companies. Zurich is also home to a number of top educational facilities, and this attracts some of the top minds from around the world.



Zurich had the largest number of company bankruptcies in 2009 according to collections agency Dun & Bradstreet. The inflation rat also began to increase in 2010 after a dip the previous year, and the city has a very strong economy.



10. COPENHAGEN Denmark



Copenhagen is an expensive place to live thanks to a strong economy and high wages, due to the city being home to numerous international and regional head offices.



Quality of life in Copenhagen is one of the best in the world, which reflects its high cost of living.



Copenhagen is home to the world's largest wind turbine manufacturer, positioning the city for even more stead growth in an increasingly green world. This is particularly good news, since a litre of gasoline in Copenhagen is $1.94.



Comparison Chart



Total population



Cost of Monthly Rent Luxury 2 Bedroom (USD)



Cost of a Cup Of Coffee (USD)



Cost of a Daily International Newspaper (USD)



Cost of a Fast Food Meal (USD)



Cost of 1 Litre of Gasoline(USD)



Amount of hours worked to afford an ipod Nano (USD)



1 LUANDA Angola

4,799,432 $7,000 $3.80 $4.93 $17.50 $0.55



2 TOKYO Japan

12,369,000 $4,436 $6.65 $5.55 $7.21 $1.41 12h



3. N'DJAMENA Chad

993,492 N/A $3.12 $7.08 $26.04 $1.25



4. MOSCOW Russia

10,562,099 $3,600 $8.29 $9.68 $5.67 $0.78 36h



5. GENEVA Switzerland

185,958 $4,010 $5.13 $3.73 $10.54 $1.54 10h



6. OSAKA Japan

2,647,000 $2,218 $6.10 $5.55 $7,21 $1.41 12h



7. LIBREVILLE Gabon

578,156 $2,083 $4.17 $4.58 $27.08 $1.11



8. ZURICH Switzerland

333,000 $2,984 $5.13 $3.73 $10.54 $1.54 9h



8. HONG KONG

7,055,000 $4,248 $5.79 $3.60 $3.35 $1.83 19h



10. COPENHAGEN Denmark

1,096,000 $2,755 $6.06 $4.22 $10.28 $1.94 11h 10. Copenhagen Denmark Moscow Russia TOP 10 Geneva Switzerland Tokyo Japan MOST EXPENSIVE CITIES TO LIVE IN 2010 8. Zurich Switzerland 7. Osaka Japan 6. Libreville Gabon 1. Luanda Angola 8. Hong Kong N'Djamena Chad Cost of living 11 21 LUANDA TOKYO Angola Japan Prices for housing and food continue to rise dramatically in Luanda, making this city the most expensive place to live in for 2010. The city has experienced an oil boom, which has meant Luanda grew well beyond its means, very quickly, and attracted waves of foreign workers - all competing for the now scare resources. Tokyo is one of the most populated cities in the world, and as the capital of Japan, Tokyo now has more than 13 million people iving in the 2,000 square kilometres of the city. As a result, housing is at a premium because Tokyo is often hit by earthquakes, and cannot build skyscrapers. This means that some of the world's most expensive land is in Tokyo. When an estimated two thirds Angolans live on less than $2 a day. most will never be able to afford a car in their lifetime, even though the oil boom has made gasoline the most affordable commodity where one litre of gaso- line costs just $0.55. To rent a luxury two bedroom apartment will cost $7,000 per month and even a fast food meal will cost you $17.50. Expats often need to live in the city, and as a result can find themselves paying $4,436 a month for a two bedroom apartment. It is the continuing strength of the yen which has lead to Japan being so close to the top ranking, as the yen has gained value by 30% against the US dollar, after a fall three years ago. 31 N'DJAMENA 4 Chad Ndjamena has a high cost of iving due to years of civil war, which has made foreign investors reluctant to invest any capital into the region. The landscape and commodities ravaged by the civil war have lead to a high demand for even the most basic items, and with no financial assistance coming from foreign investors, there is no way to increase the supply. reduce the demand, and in turn reduce prices. The economy in Chad is one of the poorest in the world as well, where 80% of the population live below the poverty line. MOSCOW Russia 51 In Moscow, the energy. chemical, software develop- ment and machinery indus- tries have generated significant wealth, making the city a very expensive place to live, and to visit. This new found excess wealth has attracted many luxury retailers, hotels and restaurants to fulfil indulgences, but even a two bedroom apartment can cost the average expatriate more than $3,600 per month to rent. However, it is your daily hit of caffeine which could really start to hurt with a cup of coffee costing $8.29 making this the most expensive cup of colfee in the world. GENEVA Switzerland Geneva is a truly global city, the head of the United Nations and the Red Cross, Geneva is a financial hub and the world's centre for diplomacy and international cooperation. In Geneva food prices are 45% more expensive than anywhere else in Western Europe and the costs of standard electronics and appliances was found to be the highest in the world, in a 2009 UBS report. Housing in Geneva is at a premium as well, with a two bedroom luxury apartment starting at $4,010 per month. 61 OSAKA Japan 71 LIBREVILLE Gabon On the same island as Tokyo, Osaka also has a high population density of approximately 3 million people. There are also a number of large multina- tional companies headquartered in Osaka, and the high wages of their em- ployees leads to a high cost of living and a high cost for land. With such competition for real estate in this already crowded island city, there is not enough supply of apartments and property leading to premium prices. The capital, Libreville itself is a coastal city and as a result is the country's largest city, and a major port and trade centre for lumber. The desire for expatriates to continue to consume Western foods and goods makes Libreville a very expensive to live in. Many of the items and goods familiar to foreign workers must be flown in to Gabon, making them much more expensive than local produce and items. For example, fast food meals which are so conve- nient for most of us, will cost $27.08. 8 ZURICH HONG KONG Switzerland Zurich is the commercial capital of Switzerland- fulfilling its role as a major business centre, and the headquarters for many financial companies. Zurich is also home to a number of top educational facilities, and this attracts some of the top minds from around the world. Zurich had the largest number of company bankruptcies in 2009 according to collections agency Dun & Bradstreet. The inflation rate also began to increase in 2010 after a dip the previous year, and the city has a very strong economy. Tied in 8th place, Hong Kong is an expensive hub of a city thanks to an ever growing population putting a high demand on commodities, services and particularly real estate, where housing is the biggest expense for any expatriate to cover. Hong Kong sits on an area of just 1,100 square kilometres, and is home to more than 6.88 million people. With such a densely populated city, hous- ing is at a premium, and so is the price. To rent a luxury two bedroom apartment in Hong Kong will cost around $4,248 per month. 10 COPENHAGEN Denmark Copenhagen is an expensive place to live thanks to a strong economy and high wages, due to the city being home to numerous international and regional head offices. Quality of life in Copenhagen is one of the best in the world, which reflects its high cost of living Copenhagen is home to the world's largest wind turbine manufacturer, posi- tioning the city for even more stead growth in an increasingly green world. This is particularly good news, since a litre of gasoline in Copenhagen is $1.94. Comparison chart Cost of Monthly Rent Luxury 2 Bedroom (USD) Cost of a Daily International Fast Food Meal Newspaper Cost of 1 Litre of Amount of hours Cost of a Cup Of Coffee (USD) Total Cost of a worked to afford population Gasoline an Ipod Nano (USD) (USD) (USD) (USD) 1 LUANDA Angola 4,799,432 $7,000 $3.80 $4.93 $17.50 $0.55 2 TOKYO Japan 12,369,000 $4,436 $6.65 $5.55 $7.21 $1.41 12 h VEWS 3 N'DJAMENA Chad 993,492 N/A $3.12 $7.08 $26.04 $1.25 NEWS 4 MOSCOW Russia 10,562,099 $3,600 $8.29 $9.68 $5.67 $0.78 36 h 5 GENEVA Switzerland 185,958 $4,010 $5.13 $3.73 $10.54 $1.54 10 h 6 OSAKA Japan 2,647,000 $2,218 $6.10 $5.55 $7.21 $1.41 12 h 7 LIBREVILLE Gabon 578,156 $2,083 $4.17 $4.58 $27.08 $1.11 8 ZURICH Switzerland 333,000 $2,984 $5.13 $3.73 $10.54 $1.54 8 HONG KONG 7,055,000 $4,248 $5.79 $3.60 $3.35 $1.83 19 h 10 COPENHAGEN Denmark 1,096,000 $2,755 $6.06 $4.22 $10.28 $1.94 11 h HomeLoanFinder Find the right home loan for you http://www.homeloanfinder.com.au sources: http://www.mercer.com/costofliving http://www.citymayors.com/economics/usb-ipod-index.html