Each year sees the release of several different surveys and reports ranking the most expensive cities in the world – and they’re not always in agreement. Different surveys take different factors into account.
But the same cities tend to pop up on most lists, providing a fairly definitive picture of those with the highest cost of living.
We examined two of the most well-known lists — the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living Survey and the Mercer Cost of Living Survey — and other sources like the UBS Price and Earnings Survey 2018. The result? Our own list of 18 of the most expensive cities to live in the world.
Note: U.S. cities fell in Mercer's rankings "due to a steady pickup of the European economy, which triggered a decline of the US dollar against other major currencies worldwide." Also, If you’re considering a move to another city, it pays to do your research. To make your savings stretch as far as possible, you need to know the cost of renting or buying property, paying for groceries, clothes and other essentials, entertainment and transport. However, it’s also important to have the full picture, so consider your potential income — in many cities with a high cost of living, the average wage is also higher.