Forget those heady days of the French Riviera or cities like Monaco or Chinese Macau which had the reputation of housing the elitists of the elites, and were notorious for their ridiculous standards of living and high prices. Well. The Rich are still the same it’s just their locations and preferences have changed a little bit and now we have a new list of 25 cities among which the last qualifies as the most expensive city in the world.
Image Source: www.salamanderinternational.com
The construction of the Suez Canal in 1869 made this port city easily accessible and easy to travel and live in. The thriving mercantile industries which shine even to this day makes this metropolis one of the more affordable cities for a modern lifestyle with beautiful sea beaches added to its vista. It can cost somewhere around $1000-$1200 per month to live in comfort in Mumbai.
Image Source: www.remotelands.com
Berne is considered a fairly costly city 71 % more expensive than Milan. The average cost of living can go as high as $1,400 for a single person. If you’re visiting Berne, you should take into account the fact that it can burn a hole in your pocket without planning.
Image Source: weembracelife.com
Due to its recent political peace, spectacular natural vistas and pristine beaches, Guatemala is one of the most expensive cities in the world becoming a shiny destination for tourism in the last few decades. A modern comfortable dwelling surrounded by mountains and the sea can be had for approximately $ 1,500 per month.
Image Source: www.roughguides.com
China’s capital Beijing is considered an expensive city in the world to live in where a cup of coffee cost around $6.62 where the monthly cost of living is around $2,091.
Image Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Pristine Caribbean beaches with crystal waters and a perfect climate, Panama is truly a paradise for expats and not without its reasons. The housing facilities and infrastructure are safe but expensive. Even if new flats are constructed in small sizes, they have all modern amenities which would cater to every of pockets. On an average, it costs an expat $2,500 per month including living and commuting.
Image Source: www.nexustours.com
Japan's capital slid down in the costly city ratings in 2018 as the value of the yen has continued to appreciate. Therefore deflationary forces have acted big here. The long stretches of recession in Japanese economy has lowered housing and rental rates to $2,208 per month but it is still one of the world’s most expensive cities to live in.
Image Source: www.responsibletravel.com
The primary reason why the prices of real estate and housing were anyways high here is due to the huge level of demand for living spaces from people from countries like China who either immigrate or secure property here. Generally, the Chinese buyers have greater access to cash which triggers the high rates of prime estates. So if you are planning to live in Auckland decently, be ready to shell out $2,228 per month.
Image Source: www.indianexpress.com
Venice has always been an exclusive joint for all the Hollywood celebrities and European business moguls for centuries. Although the old charm has much faded due to smell and stink of the canals itself and other safety issues lately, it still costs somewhere around $2,277 per month to live there. But as compared to other cities discussed earlier this true historical gem is still affordable to many in spite of it being one of the world’s most expensive cities.
Image Source: venicewiki.org
With an average living cost of $2,307, we cannot call Nassau an easy on the pocket destination at all. Well the close proximity to The US with its English speaking population makes it popular and therefore expensive.
Image Source: www.flyingandtravel.com
This Dutch capital has made its way to the list of 25 most expensive cities in the world. It’s not much of a surprise for those who have been trying to rustle up a nest in this city and have to shell out nearly $2,360 per month to call this city “home”.
Image Source: www.thelocal.dk
A survey conducted by the daily mirror as well as a Munich based study suggest that Dublin is getting to be far more unfavorable as a city to migrate and live in due to its complete lack of affordable housing and high cost of living. This Irish capital demands at least $2,374 per month for a comfortable life.
Image Source: www.nationalgeographic.com
Though, the city municipality would like to argue that this city is nowhere among the world’s most expensive cities such as Montreal, Dubai or Istanbul, unfortunately the EU survey has concluded that the cost of living is not as stable as it has stated by the local authorities which now range around $2,476 per month.
Image Source: www.usnews.com
Though it’s still a costly city with monthly living costs coming somewhere around $2,606, but it has somewhat kept its position stable as compared to way more volatile cities like Singapore, Sydney etc. still it’s the most expensive Nordic city which can be blamed to falling oil prices, currency fluctuations and many geopolitical uncertainties.
Image Source: www.artslife.com
This Qatari capital of Doha has been ranked as the 14th most expensive city in the world globally in 2018 by multiple international survey organizations. The basic monthly cost of living in this metropolitan city comes at around $2,819. Experts blame the drop in oil prices which has triggered inflationary tendencies in this city effecting not just housing but education transport as well as groceries.
Image Source: travelpassionate.com
Reykjavik is now the 13th most expensive city in the world indexed according to the latest financial surveys. The cost of living in Iceland’s capital is actually 28.36% higher here than in New York. You’ll have to shell up to $2,873 per month to live there. Mostly blame the overheated economy of the city, in which the real estate prices, as well as the rentals, are also sharpening their prices.
Image Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
This one city has seemed to witness rise in their standards of living and in conjunction with the cost of living. From the 25th expensive city in the world last year, Sydney has risen up to the rank of 10 most expensive cities in the world to live in. It has comfortably beat Melbourne and Brisbane in this race where monthly residence for a local can punch you up to $2,888 per month and make you buy a pair of jeans $100.68!
Image Source: mobilab.lu
The city in Hawaii in the state of United States is world famous for its pristine beaches and sunsets which attracts tourists from across the planet. But the city of Hawaii and Hilo are not as paradisiacal for the locals who rely heavily on the tourism as their economy. Today the monthly cost for any local to live in this paradise would not come less than $2,906 per month.
Image Source: www.thecrazytourist.com
Prices in Singapore appear to have fallen this year relative to other countries. It drops down from eights place in 2017 to eight in 2018. The monthly cost of living here currently is $2,940.
Image Source: www.zippyjourneys.com
This Middle Eastern gem has been the shiniest of all in the last couple of decades due to its state of the art modern facilities and luxuries as well as infrastructure and brilliant beaches. This is still the top destination for Arabian and business-oriented expats who want to mix pleasure and, luxury with business. With the monthly cost of $3,006 it’s really a bargain for the super rich actually.
Image Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Though it has also slipped down from its earlier glory days but it still enjoys a place as a world’s most expensive city being an elitist city ahead of Geneva, Singapore and Paris. Living in a decent 2 bedroom flat in a London suburb may cost you around $3,228 per month. Car prices and, groceries have increased due to inflationary tendencies and exchange rate movements.
Image Source: www.guidelondon.org.uk
Hong Kong is still considered a very costly city in the world to live in even if its position has slipped down globally to 5th rank. Its currency is pegged to U.S dollars, which continues to drive-up the cost of housing and amenities as compared to mainland Chinese cities. Presently, you’ll have to shell put a $3,244 per month for a decent life and not to forget pay $7.88 for a cup of coffee!
Image Source: www.timeout.com
Once considered the 2nd most costliest city in the world to live in it has slipped down to the 4th position with per month expenses for living coming down to $3,314 only.
Image Source: www.hotelbelalp.com
Once considered the most expensive city in the world, New York has dropped from its prime position to the 3rd costliest city in the world. Be ready to shell out $4,207 per month for a furnished bedroom flat for 2.
Image Source: www.iese.edu
Surprisingly this expensive city ranks the second on our list which is a bit of a surprise considering its proximity to the coast and California’s thriving wine industry; here the average monthly expenses for a comfortable life comes at about $4,612 per month.
Image Source: www.travel-advisor.eu
Bermudas capital city Hamilton has been voted the most expensive city in the world right now with the cost of comfortable living touching astounding scales of $4,769 per month! According to a survey conducted, a can of beer which otherwise costs around 6$ anywhere else knocks you out for $9 in Hamilton!
Image Source: www.mjsailing.com