Hong Kong Remains the Most Expensive City for International Employees
For another year, Hong Kong has been ranked as the most expensive city for international employees, according to Mercer's 2024 Cost of Living Survey. This annual report is essential for multinational companies and governments worldwide, providing an overview of the financial challenges faced by expatriates in different cities.
Mercer's survey is a vital resource for understanding the financial implications of expatriate assignments and ensuring that companies can manage and adapt their fair and effective compensation strategies for international employees.
The survey places several cities among the top most expensive for expatriates, including New York, London, Nassau, and Los Angeles. These rankings highlight the widespread economic pressures affecting urban living costs.
In the Middle East, Dubai has become the most expensive city for international workers, ranking 15th globally, up three places from 2023. The second most expensive city in the region is Tel Aviv, which dropped eight places to 16th. Abu Dhabi ranks 43rd, Riyadh 90th, and Jeddah 97th.
Top 20 Most Expensive Cities for Expatriates in 2024
- Hong Kong, China
- Singapore
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Basel, Switzerland
- Bern, Switzerland
- New York, USA
- London, UK
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Los Angeles, USA
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Honolulu, USA
- San Francisco, USA
- Bangui, Central African Republic
- Dubai, UAE
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Miami, USA
- Djibouti, Djibouti
- Boston, USA
- Chicago, USA
Notably, Tunisia ranks 210th in this survey, up from 219th last year.