Hong Kong's Cost of Living 2013

[Editor]

One of the most common questions we get on GeoExpat is "is my salary enough to survive in Hong Kong?" To an outsider, Hong Kong’s living expenses may seem as high as its skyscrapers. But how much does it really cost to live here? We've done the leg work for you and drawn up an up-to-date list for you of everything from utilities, diapers to a 900 sqft flat in Mid-Levels.

Let us know what you think and if you think we need to include more items on the list, tell us below.

[Grumbler]

holy shit, didn't realize how expensive some of the things are until you see this list. side note, is there data for other cities like chicago or new york for side by side comparisons? that would be cool.

[Claire ex-ax]

Nice job there! (the list not the prices )

But bloody hell! I'm glad I quit smoking.

[Gruntfuttock]

That's not the "Cost of Living Hong Kong Style" as the page title suggests, it's "the cost of living in Hong Kong in a style as close as possible to living in a western city". The cost of living Hong Kong style is MUCH lower.

[shri]

Well, I complained to the pointy-haired boss about the price of 501s. $35ish on Amazon and $900 in HK.

[dtb]

Hmmm, you will definitely save a lot if you steer away from supermarket but buying from the wet market. However, cooked meals are so expensive now and you can hardly get a lunch for less than HK$30. Also, I bought most of my personal hygiene stuffs/hair products/ toilet papers etc via mom and pop's pharmacies, a lot cheaper.

[pandancake]

@Grumbler Rents in NYC are probably slightly cheaper but groceries in Manhattan/Brooklyn chains like D'agostinos, Gristedes, Whole Foods are just as expensive as Park n Shop or Wellcome. You save a bit if you shop at Trader Joe's or then head to Queens/ Chinatown to shop at the Indian/Korean mega supermarkets.

[Drunken Master]

If I remember well a Big Mac meal is just $21.

[Claire ex-ax]

For public transport, perhaps add To/From Airport by Bus/MTR/Taxi...

[ghkg]

"General Practitioner at local neighbourhood private clinics" 120 HKD ???