SINGAPORE: For the fourth consecutive year, Singapore has retained its title as the world’s most expensive city for expatriates to live in, according to survey results released on Monday (Nov 6) by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU).
Hong Kong came in second ahead of Zurich, while the return of Japanese cities Tokyo and Osaka to the ranking means that Asian cities account for half of the 10 most expensive in the Worldwide Cost of Living 2017 survey.
Despite topping the ranking, the report said Singapore still offers "relative value in some categories, especially compared with its regional peers".
"For categories such as personal care, household goods and domestic help Singapore remains significantly cheaper than its peers, although it remains the most expensive place in the world to buy and run a car, as well as the second-priciest destination in which to buy clothes," the report added.
In terms of food and drink, the cost of living in Singapore is on par with that of Shanghai in China, the report said.
Seoul, Tokyo and Osaka were the three most expensive places in the world to buy staple goods. In Seoul, filling a grocery basket is almost 50 per cent more expensive than in New York.*
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If it's the most expensive for expats, what is it for locals?
Expats average income is usually higher than e average income of Singaporeans.
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