Monday, August 26, 2013

Hong Kong's Cost of Living


According to a 2013 global cost-of-living report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, Hong Kong is the 14th most expensive city in the world to live in.  America's most expensive city, New York, ranked 47th in the world.   

Below is a general price reference for some everyday goods and services in Hong Kong.  Most commodities aren't that expensive, but you'll notice the real estate market is insane.  I'm always hearing "lack of land" on Hong Kong Island, but actually it is estimated that only 20% of the island is developed.  I wonder why?  I understand the island has several areas that can't be developed due to steep slopes and cliffs, but obviously we do have land that can be developed... quit a bit in fact.  So why do we keep stacking ourselves on top of each other when there is room to expand horizontally?  None the less, interesting list...




ITEMS2013 Average Price HK$2013 Average Price US$
LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENTHK$US$
Dinner for two - mid-range (excl. wine)60077
Dinner for two - top restaurant (excl. wine)1,100142
Pack of cigarettes506
Cocktail in Lan Kwai Fong8010
Bottle of Heineken in Lan Kwai Fong506
Glass of wine709
Pint of  beer506
Set lunch SoHo/Lan Kwai Fong (excl. wine)9512
Takeaway Lunch (lunchbox from local eatery)355
Takeaway Lunch (lunchbox from western eatery)669
Sandwich (Oliver's/Starbucks)355
Starbucks Tall Latte304
Big Mac Value Meal314
Movie ticket70 - 1259 - 16
International theatre/music event400 - 1,00052 - 129
Local theatre/music event100 - 35013 - 45
Best-selling paperback novel13517
HOUSINGHK$US$
Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) furnished apartment in Mid-Levels36,000 - 50,0004,639 - 6,443
Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) unfurnished apartment in Mid-Levels28,000 - 40,0003,608 - 5,128
Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) serviced apartment on Hong Kong Island40,000 - 70,0005,128 - 8,974
UTILITIESHK$US$
Water per quarter40052
Gas per month20026
Electricity per month for a 85m2 (900sqft) apartment1,000 - 1,500129 - 193
GROCERY SHOPPINGHK$US$
Meat
Brazilian previously frozen whole chicken, 1.3kg (supermarket)32.904
US chilled organic chicken 1.3kg (supermarket)15620
Australian chilled hormone free whole chicken 1.5kg (specialist butcher)21728
Australian beef sirloin steak, 150gm (supermarket)25.903
Beverages
Coffee, ground 227gm608
Twinings Earl Grey Tea Bags, 25pcs28.404
Perrier Sparkling Water 750 ml17.902
Evian Mineral Water 1.5L19.903
Tanqueray Gin, 750ml26835
Absolut Vodka, 750ml17923
White wine - Sauvignon Blanc, 750ml59 - 1597.60 - 20.50
Red wine - Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml59 - 1697.60 - 21.80
Heineken Beer Can, 6-pack, 330ml44.906
CocaCola, 2L12.902
Groceries
Olive oil 500ml506
Fresh baked bread from western bakery28 - 403.60 - 4.50
Whole wheat sandwich bread 8 slices101
Thai brown rice, 1.5kg25.903
Thai white rice, 2kg27.904
Spaghetti, 500gm12.502
Local eggs, 6 pcs11.902
Imported free range eggs, 6pcs45.906
Pasta sauce, 400gm26.903
Instant oatmeal, 800gm22.903
Dairy Products
Australian fresh milk 1 litre35.905
Local fresh milk 1 litre22.903
Plain yoghurt 100gm - 125gm8.90 - 12.901.15 - 1.65
Imported Cheddar Cheese 250gm49.506
Fruits & Vegetables
Fuji Apple, per piece3.901
US Strawberries, 454gm29.904
Mixed salad leaves, washed, 270gm46.906
Personal Care
Multivitamins 100 tablets24532
Pain & fever medicine - Panadol, 20 tabs51.907
Tampons, 1 box of 2039 - 43.505 - 5.60
Baby Needs
Enfamil Stage 1 Milk Formula, 900gm29438
Wyeth Illuma Stage 1 Milk Formula, 900gm49964
Bellamy Organic stage 1 Milk Formula, 900gm32942
Newborn Diapers (Pampers) 40pcs456
Newborn Diapers (Huggies)  35pcs506
Source: ParknShop, Marketplace, Pacific Gourmet, Great Food Hall
COMMUNICATIONS & BROADBAND SERVICESHK$US$
PCCW Landline per month11014
Netvigator 100M basic home broadband plan39851
Now Broadband HD TV123 - 24215.85 - 31.20
Mobile Phone - 2G basic package, 1,000 mins, Hutchinson 38811
Mobile Phone - 3G basic package, 1,200 mins, Hutchinson 313818
PUBLIC TRANSPORTHK$US$
Minimum taxi fare for 2 km or less203
Taxi: Central to Stanley13017
Bus: Central to Stanley111
Taxi: Mid-Levels to Central324
Minibus: Mid-Levels to Central6.201
Escalator: Mid-Levels to CentralFREE!0
Tram (anywhere)2.300
Star Ferry (Central/Wan Chai to TST)2.50 - 3.400.30 - 0.45
MTR: Central to TST91
MTR: Central to Kwun Tong132
KCR: TST East to Lo Wu (China border)395
CARSHK$US$
Car Luxury: Mercedes S65 AMG2,915,000375,644
Car SUV: Hyundai Tucson208,00026,804
Car Compact: Mazda 2159,90020,606
Car Registration Fee 1500cc - 2500cc5,794747
Petrol/gas, unleaded, per litre172
EDUCATIONHK$US$
Pre-school (half-day) per annum48,000 - 123,6006,186 - 15,928
International primary school per year66,100 - 155,7008,518 - 20,064
International secondary school per year98,000 - 180,20012,629 - 23,222
HEALTHCAREHK$US$
General Practitioner at local neighbourhood private clinics12015
General Practitioner at expat private clinics800103
Specialist900116
Eye Test (free at opticians)FREE0
X-ray32041
Dentist (Check-up)60077
Physiotherapist65084
WELLNESS & PERSONAL CAREHK$US$
Monthly gym membership300 - 1,20039 - 155
Yoga - drop-in classes250 - 30032 - 39
One hour massage at spa60077
Pedicure and manicure at spa35045
Facial at spa60077
Standard men's hair cut300 - 80039 - 103
Standard women's hair cut400 - 1,00052 - 129
ELECTRICAL GOODSHK$US$
Samsung 32" LCD TV5,680732
Samsung 42" LCD TV7,680990
Philips DVD Player33944
LG Blu-ray Player690 - 2,50089 - 322
Panasonic Refrigerator, 219L3,380436
Whirlpool Washing Machine, front load, 5.5kg capacity3,390437
Panasonic dehumidifier, 15L4,380564
Mobile Phone - Samsung Galaxy S45,898760
Mobile Phone - iPhone 5 32GB6,388823
Mobile Phone 3G - Samsung Galaxy S III mini2,800361
Source: Fortress, SmarTone, Apple
COMPUTERSHK$US$
Dell Inspiron 14z Ultrabook [2.7 GHz, 8GB DDR3 Memory, 14.0" HD LED Display]5,800747
Lenovo IdeaPad G400 [4GB Memory,14" HD Display]5,498709
MacBook Air [2.6 GHz, 256 GB flash storage, 4GB memory, 13" Display]9,9881,287
Source: Fortress, Apple
CLOTHESHK$US$
1 pair of Levi's 501900116
1 dress in a chain store (H&M, Zara, Esprit etc)45058
1 pair of Nike trainers76098
1 pair of men's business shoes1,500193