Nagoya is just the first of three Japanese cities that will grace
this list of the most expensive cities in the world. The yen has been
experiencing a lot of inflation, causing a rise in prices for
practically everything, from housing to gas to food and everything in
between.
A luxury two-bedroom apartment in Nagoya will cost about $2,551, and a
cup of coffee averages around $6.38. Another thing that makes Nagoya
expensive for both residents and visitors is the cost of gas, at $6.70 a
gallon.
9. Hong Kong
Hong Kong actually has the highest average rent on a luxury
two-bedroom apartment of any city, despite only making it to number 9 on
the list. Rent for this relatively modest abode is an astounding
$7,092. This is because Hong Kong is so densly populated, and the
problem is only growing. In fact, it's housing prices have increased
over 93 percent between 2006 and 2011.
The price of gas is also the highest of any other city on the list at
$8.36 a gallon. Despite the outrageous cost of gas and rent, a
fast-food meal will cost you less here than in any other city on the
list at $3.54.
8. N’Djamena, Chad
You'll probably be surprised to find out that two of the 10 most
expensive cities are in Africa. In N'Djamena, it is hard to find
suitable and safe places to live, which is why there isn't even a price
for two-bedroom apartments to compare. You can compare things like the
cost of a gallon of gas, at $6.55, and a fast food meal, at an
absolutely amazing $25.18. That's one costly burger!
6. Singapore (Tied)
Singapore and Zurich tied for the number 6 spot on the list. It
costs about $3,588 for a luxury two-bedroom apartment in Singapore, high
for it's location in southeast Asia. Gas is also quite high at $6.55 a
gallon. Another thing that makes owning a car expensive is the fact that
you have to have a permit to own a new car. Sounds reasonable, right?
It does until you realize that the cost of these 10-year permits can be
from $46,000 to over $67,000. That's way more than the cost of most
cars!
6. Zurich, Switzerland (Tied)
Zurich is one of two cities in Switzerland that made the top ten
list. Almost everything in Zurich is pretty pricey, with the cost of
that two-bedroom apartment at $3,614, a cup of coffee at $6.02, a gallon
of gas at $7.38 and a fast food meal at $12.59. Many people will put up
with these prices, though, because Zurich has a high quality of life
when it comes to things such as education, low taxes and security.
5. Geneva, Switzerland
In Geneva, pretty much everything is expensive, much like Zurich,
except the rent here is even higher at $4,818 for that luxury
two-bedroom apartment.
Geneva has held onto the number five spot for three years in a row,
mostly because 44 percent of it's population is made up of foreigners,
which drives up the cost of living. It also has some of the world's most
expensive private schools.
4. Moscow, Russia
Moscow is the most expensive city in Europe to live in. This is
mainly due to it's high property costs. It is about $4,200 to rent a
luxury two-bedroom apartment in the capital of Russia. A gallon of gas
is actually a pretty reasonable $3.67, but a cup of coffee is a mind
boggling $8.37. Another unusually high cost in Russia is that of a daily
international newspaper at $9.78.
3. Osaka, Japan
Osaka is the second of the three Japanese cities to make the list.
It is also Japan's second largest city. It's dense population has driven
property prices up so that the cost of our apartment is about $3,062.
While others lower on the list have higher rent, Osaka made number three
because of the cost of other commodities, such as a cup of coffee at
$7.02, a gallon of gas at $6.85 and a fast food meal at $8.29. And these
costs continue to rise each year.
2. Luanda, Angola
Luanda is the second African city to make the list and surprisingly
lands the number two spot. Even more surprising is that this city was
actually number one on the list in 2010 and 2011. It fell to the second
spot because it's shockingly high rent for a luxury two-bedroom
apartment at $6,500 had actually fallen by $500 in the last year.
Due to the fact that it is Africa's second largest oil producer,
Luanda actually has the lowest gas prices of any of the other cities in
the top ten at $2.38, but the cost of a comparable fast food meal is
$19.94 for a club sandwich and soda. This because there are no fast food
outlets. Still, that is one pricey sandwich!
1. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world. Everything in Tokyo
is expensive, from the rent ($4,848 for a luxury two-bedroom) to a cup
of coffee ($8.29.) Gas will also cost you a pretty penny at $7.34 a
gallon. If this city is your dream home, you better start saving!
