Karachi named world’s second cheapest city for expatriates

TOKYO: Karachi is the second cheapest city of the world in 2014 for expatriates, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's latest Worldwide Cost of Living survey.

The bi-annual report, which ranks 131 global cities, credits currency appreciation, solid price inflation and high costs of living for Singapore's dubious new distinction.

"Car costs have very high related certificate of entitlement fees attached to them, which makes Singapore significantly more expensive than any other location when it comes to running a car," says the report.

"As a result, transport costs in Singapore are almost three times higher than in New York. In addition, as a city-state with very few natural resources to speak of, Singapore is reliant on other countries for energy and water supplies, making it the third most expensive destination for utility costs."

Singapore is also the priciest place in the world to buy clothes.

Last year's title holder Tokyo, dropped from the top spot to sixth — tied with Melbourne, Geneva and Caracas.

World's 10 most expensive cities to live in 2014

1. Singapore

2. Paris

3. Oslo, Norway

4. Zurich, Switzerland

5. Sydney

6. Caracas, Venezuela

6. Geneva, Switzerland

6. Melbourne

6. Tokyo

7. Copenhagen, Denmark

 

World's 10 least expensive cities to live in 2014

Asia also has the world's cheapest city on the list.

1. Mumbai, India

2. Karachi, Pakistan

3. New Delhi, India

4. Kathmandu, Nepal

5. Damascus, Syria

6. Algiers, Algeria

7. Bucharest, Romania

8. Panama City, Panama

9. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

10. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

While the EIU's survey takes into account the cost of living, other firms employ different research methods.

Mercer conducts research to determine the most expensive cities for expatriate living.

It found that in 2013, Luanda, Angola was the hardest on expatriate wallets due to the difficulty of finding adequate secure housing, and the high price of imported goods.