2024 Living Costs: Global Comparisons & Insights

Author

Philip Saparov
July 30, 2024

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In partnership with

Hello, curious mind!

Welcome to our special edition exploring the cost of living around the globe in 2024. In this issue, we'll delve into fascinating data and trends, comparing expenses across different countries and regions. 

Whether you're considering a move abroad, planning your next adventure, or simply curious about how living costs vary worldwide, this comprehensive analysis is designed just for you.

Let's dive in and discover the financial landscape of our diverse world.

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The cost of living is the amount of money needed to sustain a reasonable standard of living, covering basic expenses such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare. It's a crucial metric used to compare variations in the price of goods and services over time or between multiple locations. Generally, developed countries have a higher cost of living compared to developing countries, though they also often boast a higher standard of living. Additionally, urban areas typically have higher costs than rural regions.

Calculating the Cost of Living

Determining the cost of living in a region is complex, and each source has its own method for calculation. Most sources express cost of living as an index number compared to a baseline. For instance, Numbeo uses New York City as a baseline with an index value of 100.00. Countries with lower living costs than New York City have an index below 100.00, and those with higher costs have an index above 100.00.

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Cost of Living

According to Numbeo's 2023 data, the following countries have the highest cost of living:

  1. Bermuda - Index: 141.10

  2. Switzerland - Index: 117.30

  3. Cayman Islands - Index: 115.40

  4. Bahamas - Index: 93.70

  5. Iceland - Index: 87.70

  6. Singapore - Index: 85.90

  7. Barbados - Index: 84.20

  8. Jersey - Index: 82.60

  9. Norway - Index: 82.20

  10. Denmark - Index: 79.20

These indices can be broken down into specific categories like rent and restaurant prices. For example, the rent index estimates the cost of renting apartments, while the restaurant index compares the cost of meals and drinks. A unique metric, Local Purchasing Power (LPP), indicates the relative value of the average wage in a location—higher LPP is preferable.

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Global Comparisons

Comparing an entire country's cost of living index to a single city like New York can be misleading. For example, while Bermuda and Switzerland have indices higher than New York City, this comparison doesn't account for the mix of urban and rural areas within these countries. Typically, expenses in major cities are higher than in rural regions, which skews the national average.

Living Costs and Quality of Life

A higher cost of living often correlates with a higher standard of living. Countries like Norway and Denmark, with high living costs, are among the best places to live due to their quality of life.

Diverse Rankings Across Sources

Different sources may rank countries differently due to variations in their calculation methods or data inclusion. Here's a comparison of the top 10 countries with the highest and lowest costs of living from various sources:

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Highest Cost of Living:

Rank

Numbeo

Livingcost

Expatistan

Global Economy

1

Bermuda

Monaco

Bermuda

Bermuda

2

Switzerland

Cayman Islands

Hong Kong

Iceland

3

Norway

Hong Kong

Bahamas

Switzerland

4

Iceland

Switzerland

Switzerland

Norway

5

Barbados

Singapore

Singapore

Denmark

6

Jersey

Iceland

Ireland

Barbados

7

Israel

Liechtenstein

Norway

Australia

8

Denmark

Luxembourg

United States

Israel

9

Bahamas

United States

Israel

New Zealand

10

Singapore

Ireland

United Kingdom

Bahamas

Lowest Cost of Living:

Rank

Numbeo

Livingcost

Expatistan

Global Economy

1

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

Moldova

Egypt

2

Afghanistan

Pakistan

India

Ukraine

3

India

Nepal

Turkey

Sudan

4

Colombia

Afghanistan

Kosovo

Kyrgyzstan

5

Algeria

Algeria

Kazakhstan

Azerbaijan

6

Kosovo

Tunisia

Egypt

Myanmar

7

Uzbekistan

Libya

Colombia

Sierra Leone

8

Tunisia

Egypt

Tanzania

Nepal

9

Nepal

Tajikistan

Bangladesh

India

10

Turkey

Gambia

Ukraine

Tajikistan

Final Analysis

Numbeo's data shows Pakistan as having the lowest cost of living index globally at 19.92, indicating it's over 80% cheaper to live in Pakistan than in New York City. Afghanistan, India, and Colombia follow closely. However, rankings can vary across different sources due to differences in their methodologies.

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Business decisions come down to time and money, and Express Employment Professionals can save you both. With access to international resources and a commitment to local service, their teams provide workforce solutions unmatched by others. Each of their locally owned offices ensure personalized attention to your business needs while delivering screened and qualified workers across various industries.

With nearly 80,000 businesses served annually, Express offers tailored staffing solutions to meet your goals. With over 40 years of experience, we understand the importance of finding the right person for the job.

Trust Express to provide quality talent and a seamless experience, from start to finish. Find out how your local team can help you build a stronger workforce and grow your business today.

Comparing the cost of living between countries poses significant challenges, such as finding comparable items across different economies. For instance, the price of shoes or a dozen eggs can vary widely based on numerous factors, complicating direct comparisons.

As we wrap up this edition, we hope it has provided you with a clearer understanding of the cost of living across the globe. We look forward to bringing you more insights into crucial economic trends and other significant topics.

Until next time, keep exploring and stay informed about the world around you.

Warm regards,  

Shane Fulmer