Singapore shoots past Hong Kong in expat cost of living rankings

Prices rose 4% in just one year.

Expats may soon find themselves teaming up with locals in bemoaning Singapore’s high cost of living. Singapore has overtaken Hong Kong in a new survey that ranks the costliest cities for foreign assignees, moving up from last year’s 31st position to become the 26th most expensive location for expats.

The study was released by ECA International and showed that the price of items in ECA’s shopping basket for Singapore rose just over 4% over the year – up from last year’s 2.7%figure.

On a regional basis, Singapore is the ninth most expensive Asian location for expatriates. The republic trails behind cities like top-ranked Seoul, second-seeded Tokyo and third placer Beijing.

Shanghai comes in at fourth, followed by Yokohama and Nagoya at fifth and sixth place, respectively. Busan and Osaka are at the seventh and eighth spots. Hong Kong completes the list at rank 10.