© Luciano Lepre/The Image Bank
The cities and figures included in this list are derived from Mercer's 2009 Worldwide Cost of Living survey. Mercer measured the comparative cost of over 200 items in over 143 cities across six continents. The survey is used to help multinational companies determine compensation packages for employees abroad. Surveyed items included housing, food, clothing, transport, household goods and entertainment. Mercer uses New York as the base city for the index and scores it at 100 points. All cities rank in comparison to New York, and currency is measured against the U.S. dollar.
©Philip and Karen Smith/Iconica
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
20. Dubai, UAE
March 2008 Ranking: 52
COL Index March 2008: 89.3
COL Index March 2009: 90.1
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: 0.8%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
19. Helsinki, Finland
March 2008 Ranking: 21
COL Index March 2008: 101.1
COL Index March 2009: 90.5
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -10.5%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
18. Rome, Italy
March 2008 Ranking: 16
COL Index March 2008: 103.9
COL Index March 2009: 91.2
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -12.2%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
17. Tel Aviv, Israel
March 2008 Ranking: 14
COL Index March 2008: 105
COL Index March 2009: 91.9
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -13.2%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
16. London, U.K.
March 2008 Ranking: 3
COL Index March 2008: 125
COL Index March 2009: 92.7
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -25.8%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©Hisham Ibrahim /The Image Bank
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
15. Caracas, Venezuela
March 2008 Ranking: 89
COL Index March 2008: 79.3
COL Index March 2009: 93.3
OL March 2009 vs. March 2008: 17.7%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©Andrea Pistolesi /The Image Bank
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
14. Oslo, Norway
March 2008 Ranking: 4
COL Index March 2008: 118.3
COL Index March 2009: 94.2
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -20.4%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
13. Paris, France
March 2008 Ranking: 12
COL Index March 2008: 109.4
COL Index March 2009: 95.1
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -13.1%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
12. Shanghai, China
March 2008 Ranking: 24
COL Index March 2008: 98.3
COL Index March 2009: 95.2
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -3.2%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©Vincenzo Lombardo/ Getty Images
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
11. Milan, Italy
March 2008 Ranking: 10
COL Index March 2008: 111.3
COL Index March 2009: 96.9
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -12.9%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©Allan Baxter/ Digital Vision
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
10. Singapore
March 2008 Ranking: 13
COL Index March 2008: 109.1
COL Index March 2009: 98.0
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -10.2%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
9. Beijing, China
March 2008 Ranking: 20
COL Index March 2008: 101.9
COL Index March 2009: 99.6
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -2.3%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©joSon/Stone/Getty Images
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
8. New York City, U.S.
March 2008 Ranking: 22
COL Index March 2008: 100.0
COL Index March 2009: 100.0
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: 0%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
March 2008 Ranking: 7
COL Index March 2008: 117.2
COL Index March 2009: 105.0
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -10.4%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
6. Zurich, Switzerland
March 2008 Ranking: 9
COL Index March 2008: 112.7
COL Index March 2009: 105.2
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -6.7%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©Maremagnum/Photographer's Choice
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
5. Hong Kong
March 2008 Ranking: 6
COL Index March 2008: 117.6
COL Index March 2009: 108.7
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -7.6%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
4. Geneva, Switzerland
March 2008 Ranking: 8
COL Index March 2008: 115.8
COL Index March 2009: 109.2
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -5.7%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©Elena Solodovnikova/iStock
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
3. Moscow, Russia
March 2008 Ranking: 1
COL Index March 2008: 142.4
COL Index March 2009: 115.4
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: -19.0%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©William Banagan/ The Image Bank
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
2. Osaka, Japan
March 2008 Ranking: 11
COL Index March 2008: 110
COL Index March 2009: 119.2
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: 8.4%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.
©Luciano Lepre/The Image Bank
Our data come from Mercer's Worldwide Cost of Living 2009 survey. Mercer's annual survey has been designed to cater to the multinational companies and governments that use the study's results to help determine appropriate compensation packages for employees sent abroad. One of the world's most comprehensive cost of living surveys, Mercer's study takes 143 cities across six continents and compares the costs of over 200 items in each location. The goods and services under inspection--including housing, transportation, food, leisure, and household supplies--are representative of executive spending patterns, and the selection of the cities reflects the request for corresponding data from the groups that use the study's findings.
1. Tokyo, Japan
March 2008 Ranking: 2
COL Index March 2008: 127
COL Index March 2009: 143.7
COL March 2009 vs. March 2008: 13.1%
Read on for more coverage, including an inside look at the world's diet secrets and the world's most stylish cities.