Asian cities top the list of the most expensive places to live in 2019: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore and Seoul are on the first four places, followed by Zürich in Switzerland. Ranked 71th in 2018, Luxembourg is 84th this year – not necessarily an indication that costs here have gone down, but possibly that costs have increased more in other places.
Mercer’s study of the cost of living includes over 200 cities across the world. It is based on parameters such as the price of rent, food, transport, tobacco, services and health care. The objective is to demonstrate how currency fluctuation and shifts in the prices of goods and services can affect the purchasing power of expatriate employees.
Most expensive European cities
Three Swiss cities are considered as the most expensive in Europe. Zurich, Bern and Geneva. Copenhagen, London, Dublin, Milano, Paris, Vienna and Rome are also on the top 10 list. Luxembourg only just about makes it into the European top 20.