Hong Kong - Asia’s World City, international business hub, and global trade gateway - demands a high cost of living, especially in comparison to some of our neighbours. Both essential and luxurious goods are becoming increasingly expensive each year.
There is one thing on the minds of Hong Kongers: money. Since last year, Hong Kong has climbed up a spot to number 13 in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s list of the world’s most expensive cities. The entire city is obsessed with money, so it’s no surprise that we are up high with the big dogs.
Residents of Hong Kong will agree that ensuring you have a roof over your head is the one main thing that eats away at your wallet. This is the main factor that boosts Hong Kong towards the top of the charts. With a vast population and a shortage of land, finding a reasonably sized and comfortable living space without having to shell out a fortune is extremely challenging. With the amount you must fork out to buy a small, mediocre walk-up apartment for two people in Hong Kong, you could probably get an enchanting three-story cottage in England or a seaside villa in Thailand, complete with a swimming pool and garden!
But it’s not all bad - Hong Kong boasts possibly the most efficient public transportation system in the world, which is also very cheap. This (along with the small size of the city) makes owning a car unnecessary, meaning you can cut costs like fuel, parking and maintenance. The city also offers bargains when it comes to great food, shopping, leisurely activities and services (sometimes so jaw-droppingly cheap it will make you double take). At least some factors can ‘equal out’ the accommodation expenses that will make you break out in a sweat.
Below, we’ve compiled a useful list of lifestyle items from a variety of categories and worked out the average costs. From food and school fees to utilities, healthcare, cars and electronics, it’s all there. For those of you who are new to Hong Kong, this list may be useful for comparing prices you are being charged to make sure you’re not being ripped off.
Think we missed something? Let us know on this thread!
| ITEMS |
2014 Average Price (HK$) |
2014 Average Price (US$) |
| LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT | HK$ | US$ |
| Dinner for two - mid-range (excl. wine) | 500 - 600 | 64.50 - 77 |
| Dinner for two - top restaurant (excl. wine) | 1,200 - 1,400 | 155 - 181 |
| Pack of cigarettes | 55 | 7 |
| Cocktail in Lan Kwai Fong | 80 - 95 | 10 - 12 |
| Bottle of Heineken in Lan Kwai Fong | 50 - 60 | 6.50 - 8 |
| Glass of wine | 70 | 9 |
| Pint of beer | 50 - 60 | 6.50 - 8 |
| Set lunch SoHo/Lan Kwai Fong (excl. wine) | 100 - 120 | 13 - 15.50 |
| Takeaway Lunch (lunchbox from local eatery) | 38 - 45 | 5 - 6 |
| Takeaway Lunch (lunchbox from western eatery) | 55 - 65 | 7 - 8.50 |
| Sandwich (Oliver's/Starbucks) | 35 - 45 | 4.50 - 6 |
| Starbucks Tall Latte | 32 | 4 |
| Big Mac Meal | 36.80 | 5 |
| Movie ticket | 70 - 130 | 9 - 17 |
| International theatre/music event | 400 - 1,300 | 51.50 - 168 |
| Local theatre/music event | 100 - 350 | 13 - 45 |
| Best-selling paperback novel | 115 - 198 | 15 - 25.50 |
| Source: Jaspas Restaurant/ Iberico & Co. / Nobu / Mandarin Grill + Bar / 7-11 / Hardrock Cafe / The China Bar / Koh Thai / Tsui Wah Restaurant / Pret a Manger / Delifrance / Oliver's Sandwiches / Starbucks Coffee / McDonald's / UA Cinemas / HK Ticketing / Dymocks / Page One | ||
| HOUSING | HK$ | US$ |
| Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) furnished apartment in Mid-Levels | 29,000 - 58,000 | 3,742 - 7,484 |
| Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) unfurnished apartment in Mid-Levels | 23,000 - 41,000 | 2,968 - 5,290 |
| Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) serviced apartment on Hong Kong Island | 9500 - 70,000 | 1,226 - 9,032 |
| Source: www.squarefoot.com.hk / www.hongkonghomes.com | ||
| UTILITIES | HK$ | US$ |
| Water per quarter | 400 | 52 |
| Gas per month | 200 | 26 |
| Electricity per month for a 85m2 (900sqft) apartment | 1,000 - 1,500 | 129 - 193.50 |
| Source: HK Electric / Water Supplies Department / Towngas | ||
| GROCERY SHOPPING | HK$ | US$ |
| Meat | ||
| Brazilian chilled whole chicken; 1.3kg (supermarket) | 32.90 | 4 |
| US chilled organic chicken; 1.3kg (supermarket) | 182.40 | 24 |
| Australian chilled hormone free whole chicken; 1.5kg (specialist butcher) | 220.00 | 28 |
| NZ beef sirloin steak; 180g (supermarket) | 25.90 | 3 |
| Beverages | ||
| Coffee, ground; 227 | 29.90 - 74.90 | 4 - 9.50 |
| Twinings Earl Grey Tea Bags; 25 teabags | 53.80 | 7 |
| Perrier Sparkling Water; 750 ml | 17.90 | 2 |
| Evian Mineral Water; 1.5L | 20.90 | 3 |
| Bombay Gin; 750ml | 209.00 | 27 |
| Absolut Vodka; 750ml (flavoured) | 178 - 193 | 23 - 25 |
| White wine - Sauvignon Blanc; 750ml | 69 - 179 | 9 - 22 |
| Red wine - Cabernet Sauvignon; 750ml | 69 - 179 | 9 - 23 |
| Heineken Beer Cans; 6-pack, 330ml | 44.90 | 6 |
| CocaCola; 2L | 13.50 | 2 |
| Groceries | ||
| Olive oil; 500ml | 28.90 - 59.90 | 3.50 - 7.50 |
| Fresh baked bread from western bakery | 35.00 | 5 |
| Whole wheat sandwich bread 8 slices | 11.00 - 16.00 | 1.50 - 2 |
| Thai red rice; 1.5kg | 29.90 | 4 |
| Thai white rice; 2kg | 27.90 | 4 |
| Spaghetti; 500g | 7.90 - 15.90 | 1 - 2 |
| Local eggs; 6 pcs | 21.90 | 3 |
| Imported free range eggs; 6pcs | 49.90 | 6 |
| Pasta sauce; 400g | 28.50 - 45.50 | 3.50 - 6 |
| Instant oatmeal; 800g | 19.90 - 28.90 | 2.50 - 3.50 |
| Dairy Products | ||
| Australian fresh milk; 1 litre | 19.90 - 34.90 | 2.50 - 4.50 |
| Local fresh milk; 1 litre | 21.50 - 24.50 | 2.50 - 3.50 |
| Plain yoghurt; 100g - 125g | 6.23 - 8.90 | 1 - 1.50 |
| Imported Cheddar Cheese; 250g | 48.50 - 66.00 | 6.50 - 8.50 |
| Fruits & Vegetables | ||
| Fuji Apple, per piece | 4.20 - 7.20 | 0.50 - 1 |
| US Strawberries, 454g | 59.90 | 8 |
| Mixed salad leaves, washed, 270g | 42.90 | 6 |
| Personal Care | ||
| Multivitamins 60 tablets | 109.9 - 132.00 | 14 - 17 |
| Pain & fever medicine - Panadol, 20 tabs | 52.90 | 7 |
| Tampons, 1 box of 20 | 39.90 - 45.90 | 5 - 6 |
| Baby Needs | ||
| Enfamil Stage 1 Milk Formula, 900g | 294.00 | 38 |
| Wyeth Illuma Stage 1 Milk Formula, 900g | 499.00 | 64 |
| Bellamy Organic stage 1 Milk Formula, 900g | 329.00 | 42 |
| Newborn Diapers (Pampers) 40pcs | 52.50 | 7 |
| Newborn Diapers (Huggies) 35pcs | 49.90 | 6 |
| Source: Fusion by Park n Shop | ||
| COMMUNICATIONS & BROADBAND SERVICES | HK$ | US$ |
| PCCW Landline per month | 110 | 14 |
| Netvigator 100M basic home broadband plan | 598 | 77 |
| Now Broadband HD TV | 123 - 242 | 15.50 - 31 |
| Mobile Phone - 3G basic package; 1,400 mins / 500MB data ; Hutchinson 3 | 168 | 22 |
| Source: PCCW / 3 Mobile | ||
| PUBLIC TRANSPORT | HK$ | US$ |
| Minimum taxi fare for 2 km or less | 22 | 3 |
| Taxi: Central to Stanley | 140 | 18 |
| Bus: Central to Stanley | 8.5 - 11 | 1 - 1.50 |
| Taxi: Mid-Levels to Central | 25 - 34 | 3 - 4.50 |
| Minibus: Mid-Levels to Central | 5 - 6.2 | 0.50 - 1 |
| Escalator: Mid-Levels to Central | FREE | FREE |
| Tram (anywhere) | 2.30 | 0.30 |
| Star Ferry (Central/Wan Chai to TST) | 2.50 - 3.40 | 0.30 - 0.50 |
| MTR: Central to TST | 9 | 1 |
| MTR: Central to Kwun Tong | 13 | 2 |
| KCR: TST East to Lo Wu (China border) | 39 | 5 |
| Source: MTR / Transport Department / CityBus / First Bus / Star Ferry / HK Tramways | ||
| CARS | HK$ | US$ |
| Car Luxury: Mercedes S65 AMG | 2,998,000 | 386,839 |
| Car SUV: Hyundai Tucson | 218,000 | 28,129 |
| Car Compact: Mazda 2 | 149,900 | 19,342 |
| Car Registration Fee 1500cc - 2500cc | 5,794 | 748 |
| Petrol/gas, unleaded, per litre | 17 | 2 |
| Source: Mercedes / Hyundai / Mazda / Transport Department / Shell / Caltex | ||
| EDUCATION | HK$ | US$ |
| Pre-school (half-day) per annum | 50,000 - 103,800 | 6,452 - 13,394 |
| International primary school per year | 70000 - 192,000 | 9,032 - 24,774 |
| International secondary school per year | 88000 - 218,200 | 11,355 - 28,155 |
| Source: CIS / HKIS / ESF / GSIS | ||
| HEALTHCARE | HK$ | US$ |
| General Practitioner at local neighbourhood private clinics | 120 - 160 | 15.50 - 21 |
| General Practitioner at expat private clinics | 800+ | 103+ |
| Specialist | 900+ | 116+ |
| Eye Test (free at opticians) | FREE | FREE |
| X-ray | 320 - 600 | 41.50 - 77.50 |
| Dentist (Check-up) | 600 - 1,100 | 77.50 - 142 |
| Physiotherapist | 650 | 84 |
| Source: Quality Healthcare / OT&P / www.drsmile.com.hk / www.gov.hk/en/ | ||
| WELLNESS & PERSONAL CARE | HK$ | US$ |
| Monthly gym membership | 300 - 1,200 | 38.50 - 155 |
| Yoga - drop-in classes | 250 - 300 | 32 - 39 |
| One hour massage at spa | 600 | 77 |
| Pedicure and manicure at spa | 350 | 45 |
| Facial at spa | 600 | 77 |
| Standard men's hair cut | 50+ | 6.50+ |
| Standard women's hair cut | 400 - 1,200 | 52 - 155 |
| Source: PURE / California Fitness / www.hiphongkong.com / Mina Dev'Wil Salon / QB House | ||
| ELECTRICAL GOODS | HK$ | US$ |
| Samsung 32" LCD TV | 4,200 | 542 |
| Samsung 42" LCD TV | 6,200 | 800 |
| Philips DVD Player | 340 | 44 |
| LG Blu-ray Player | 600 - 2000 | 77.50 - 258 |
| Panasonic Refrigerator, 219L | 3,060 | 395 |
| Whirlpool Washing Machine, front load, 5.5kg capacity | 3,100 | 400 |
| Panasonic dehumidifier, 15L | 3,750 | 484 |
| Mobile Phone - Samsung Galaxy S5 | 5,030 | 649 |
| Mobile Phone - Apple iPhone 6 64GB | 8,330 | 749 |
| Mobile Phone 3G - Samsung Galaxy S III mini | 2,280 | 294 |
| Source: www.price.com.hk / SmarTone / Apple / Broadway | ||
| COMPUTERS | HK$ | US$ |
| Dell Inspiron 14z Ultrabook [2.7 GHz, 8GB DDR3 Memory, 14.0" HD LED Display] | 5,700 | 735 |
| 4250 [4GB Memory,14" HD Display] | 4,250 | 548 |
| MacBook Air [2.6 GHz, 256 GB flash storage, 4GB memory, 13" Display] | 8,988 | 1,160 |
| Source: www.price.com.hk / Apple / Broadway | ||
| CLOTHES | HK$ | US$ |
| 1 pair of Levi's 501 | 900 | 116 |
| 1 dress in a chain store (H&M, Zara, Esprit etc) | 450 | 58 |
| 1 pair of Nike trainers | 760 | 98 |
| 1 pair of men's business shoes | 1,500 | 194 |
| Source: Levi's / H&M / Zara / Marathon Sports / Marks & Spencers | ||
