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...
| ITEMS | 2013 Average Price HK$ | 2013 Average Price US$ |
| LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT | HK$ | US$ |
| Dinner for two - mid-range (excl. wine) | 600 | 77 |
| Dinner for two - top restaurant (excl. wine) | 1,100 | 142 |
| Pack of cigarettes | 50 | 6 |
| Cocktail in Lan Kwai Fong | 80 | 10 |
| Bottle of Heineken in Lan Kwai Fong | 50 | 6 |
| Glass of wine | 70 | 9 |
| Pint of beer | 50 | 6 |
| Set lunch SoHo/Lan Kwai Fong (excl. wine) | 95 | 12 |
| Takeaway Lunch (lunchbox from local eatery) | 35 | 5 |
| Takeaway Lunch (lunchbox from western eatery) | 66 | 9 |
| Sandwich (Oliver's/Starbucks) | 35 | 5 |
| Starbucks Tall Latte | 30 | 4 |
| Big Mac Value Meal | 31 | 4 |
| Movie ticket | 70 - 125 | 9 - 16 |
| International theatre/music event | 400 - 1,000 | 52 - 129 |
| Local theatre/music event | 100 - 350 | 13 - 45 |
| Best-selling paperback novel | 135 | 17 |
| HOUSING | HK$ | US$ |
| Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) furnished apartment in Mid-Levels | 36,000 - 50,000 | 4,639 - 6,443 |
| Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) unfurnished apartment in Mid-Levels | 28,000 - 40,000 | 3,608 - 5,128 |
| Monthly rent for a 85m2 (900sqft) serviced apartment on Hong Kong Island | 40,000 - 70,000 | 5,128 - 8,974 |
| 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 |
| GROCERY SHOPPING | HK$ | US$ |
| Meat | ||
| Brazilian previously frozen whole chicken, 1.3kg (supermarket) | 32.90 | 4 |
| US chilled organic chicken 1.3kg (supermarket) | 156 | 20 |
| Australian chilled hormone free whole chicken 1.5kg (specialist butcher) | 217 | 28 |
| Australian beef sirloin steak, 150gm (supermarket) | 25.90 | 3 |
| Beverages | ||
| Coffee, ground 227gm | 60 | 8 |
| Twinings Earl Grey Tea Bags, 25pcs | 28.40 | 4 |
| Perrier Sparkling Water 750 ml | 17.90 | 2 |
| Evian Mineral Water 1.5L | 19.90 | 3 |
| Tanqueray Gin, 750ml | 268 | 35 |
| Absolut Vodka, 750ml | 179 | 23 |
| White wine - Sauvignon Blanc, 750ml | 59 - 159 | 7.60 - 20.50 |
| Red wine - Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml | 59 - 169 | 7.60 - 21.80 |
| Heineken Beer Can, 6-pack, 330ml | 44.90 | 6 |
| CocaCola, 2L | 12.90 | 2 |
| Groceries | ||
| Olive oil 500ml | 50 | 6 |
| Fresh baked bread from western bakery | 28 - 40 | 3.60 - 4.50 |
| Whole wheat sandwich bread 8 slices | 10 | 1 |
| Thai brown rice, 1.5kg | 25.90 | 3 |
| Thai white rice, 2kg | 27.90 | 4 |
| Spaghetti, 500gm | 12.50 | 2 |
| Local eggs, 6 pcs | 11.90 | 2 |
| Imported free range eggs, 6pcs | 45.90 | 6 |
| Pasta sauce, 400gm | 26.90 | 3 |
| Instant oatmeal, 800gm | 22.90 | 3 |
| Dairy Products | ||
| Australian fresh milk 1 litre | 35.90 | 5 |
| Local fresh milk 1 litre | 22.90 | 3 |
| Plain yoghurt 100gm - 125gm | 8.90 - 12.90 | 1.15 - 1.65 |
| Imported Cheddar Cheese 250gm | 49.50 | 6 |
| Fruits & Vegetables | ||
| Fuji Apple, per piece | 3.90 | 1 |
| US Strawberries, 454gm | 29.90 | 4 |
| Mixed salad leaves, washed, 270gm | 46.90 | 6 |
| Personal Care | ||
| Multivitamins 100 tablets | 245 | 32 |
| Pain & fever medicine - Panadol, 20 tabs | 51.90 | 7 |
| Tampons, 1 box of 20 | 39 - 43.50 | 5 - 5.60 |
| Baby Needs | ||
| Enfamil Stage 1 Milk Formula, 900gm | 294 | 38 |
| Wyeth Illuma Stage 1 Milk Formula, 900gm | 499 | 64 |
| Bellamy Organic stage 1 Milk Formula, 900gm | 329 | 42 |
| Newborn Diapers (Pampers) 40pcs | 45 | 6 |
| Newborn Diapers (Huggies) 35pcs | 50 | 6 |
| Source: ParknShop, Marketplace, Pacific Gourmet, Great Food Hall | ||
| COMMUNICATIONS & BROADBAND SERVICES | HK$ | US$ |
| PCCW Landline per month | 110 | 14 |
| Netvigator 100M basic home broadband plan | 398 | 51 |
| Now Broadband HD TV | 123 - 242 | 15.85 - 31.20 |
| Mobile Phone - 2G basic package, 1,000 mins, Hutchinson 3 | 88 | 11 |
| Mobile Phone - 3G basic package, 1,200 mins, Hutchinson 3 | 138 | 18 |
| PUBLIC TRANSPORT | HK$ | US$ |
| Minimum taxi fare for 2 km or less | 20 | 3 |
| Taxi: Central to Stanley | 130 | 17 |
| Bus: Central to Stanley | 11 | 1 |
| Taxi: Mid-Levels to Central | 32 | 4 |
| Minibus: Mid-Levels to Central | 6.20 | 1 |
| Escalator: Mid-Levels to Central | FREE! | 0 |
| Tram (anywhere) | 2.30 | 0 |
| Star Ferry (Central/Wan Chai to TST) | 2.50 - 3.40 | 0.30 - 0.45 |
| MTR: Central to TST | 9 | 1 |
| MTR: Central to Kwun Tong | 13 | 2 |
| KCR: TST East to Lo Wu (China border) | 39 | 5 |
| CARS | HK$ | US$ |
| Car Luxury: Mercedes S65 AMG | 2,915,000 | 375,644 |
| Car SUV: Hyundai Tucson | 208,000 | 26,804 |
| Car Compact: Mazda 2 | 159,900 | 20,606 |
| Car Registration Fee 1500cc - 2500cc | 5,794 | 747 |
| Petrol/gas, unleaded, per litre | 17 | 2 |
| EDUCATION | HK$ | US$ |
| Pre-school (half-day) per annum | 48,000 - 123,600 | 6,186 - 15,928 |
| International primary school per year | 66,100 - 155,700 | 8,518 - 20,064 |
| International secondary school per year | 98,000 - 180,200 | 12,629 - 23,222 |
| HEALTHCARE | HK$ | US$ |
| General Practitioner at local neighbourhood private clinics | 120 | 15 |
| General Practitioner at expat private clinics | 800 | 103 |
| Specialist | 900 | 116 |
| Eye Test (free at opticians) | FREE | 0 |
| X-ray | 320 | 41 |
| Dentist (Check-up) | 600 | 77 |
| Physiotherapist | 650 | 84 |
| WELLNESS & PERSONAL CARE | HK$ | US$ |
| Monthly gym membership | 300 - 1,200 | 39 - 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 | 300 - 800 | 39 - 103 |
| Standard women's hair cut | 400 - 1,000 | 52 - 129 |
| ELECTRICAL GOODS | HK$ | US$ |
| Samsung 32" LCD TV | 5,680 | 732 |
| Samsung 42" LCD TV | 7,680 | 990 |
| Philips DVD Player | 339 | 44 |
| LG Blu-ray Player | 690 - 2,500 | 89 - 322 |
| Panasonic Refrigerator, 219L | 3,380 | 436 |
| Whirlpool Washing Machine, front load, 5.5kg capacity | 3,390 | 437 |
| Panasonic dehumidifier, 15L | 4,380 | 564 |
| Mobile Phone - Samsung Galaxy S4 | 5,898 | 760 |
| Mobile Phone - iPhone 5 32GB | 6,388 | 823 |
| Mobile Phone 3G - Samsung Galaxy S III mini | 2,800 | 361 |
| Source: Fortress, SmarTone, Apple | ||
| COMPUTERS | HK$ | US$ |
| Dell Inspiron 14z Ultrabook [2.7 GHz, 8GB DDR3 Memory, 14.0" HD LED Display] | 5,800 | 747 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad G400 [4GB Memory,14" HD Display] | 5,498 | 709 |
| MacBook Air [2.6 GHz, 256 GB flash storage, 4GB memory, 13" Display] | 9,988 | 1,287 |
| Source: Fortress, Apple | ||
| 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 | 193 |
