Cost of living rises in the US, drops in the UK

The latest Cost of Living report from global mobility expert, ECA International (ECA) has revealed the most expensive cities around the world.

As a result of the weakened GBP since the referendum, the cost of living in UK cities* has, despite inflation, become comparatively lower than the majority of cities in the US and the Middle East, as well as many in Europe such as Paris, Brussels and Dublin, making it more expensive for Brits overseas.

However, London’s low ranking means that expatriates coming in from countries such as the UAE and US may find everyday basket goods cheaper in the UK thanks to the current strength of the US dollar in comparison to the weakened pound. This has seen locations such as Indianapolis move ahead of London in the rankings for the first time.

Brexit effect on UK cost of living
The UK has dropped 81 places since the Brexit referendum according to ECA’s Cost of Living report which compares a basket of like-for-like consumer goods such as groceries, meats and vegetables, and essential household goods.

Steven Kilfedder, Production Manager at ECA International, said: “The cost of living in the UK has dropped significantly for overseas workers and visitors since the referendum along with the value of the pound. With the UK’s scheduled leave date fast approaching, all that can be certain is there will be more fluctuation in inflation and exchange rates as the nature of future relationships becomes clearer. The current political uncertainty is demonstrating the economic rollercoaster that the UK is facing right now and there is likely to be ups and downs as Brexit negotiations continue. This all has an effect on exchange rates, which makes a huge impact on how expensive Brits will find working and living abroad. Depending on the outcome of the negotiations UK cities could continue to fall in the rankings or start moving back up, depending on how the exchange rate moves.”

The US overtakes many European cities in the top 100 most expensive
Four US cities have re-entered the Top 100 most expensive in the world, bringing it up to 17 cities in total. Miami, New Jersey, Baltimore and St Louis have jumped by 26 places on average, making them more expensive for Brits than in the past as well as for other visiting Europeans. The cost of living in countries pegged to the USD, such as Hong Kong and some Middle Eastern countries, has also increased due to the strength of the USD.

Australia and New Zealand drop in the rankings
However, it’s better news for Brits visiting down under as the Australian and New Zealand dollars performed poorly in the past year, causing all cities in the report to drop by around 33 places on average. Darwin, Adelaide and Christchurch dropped out of the top 100 for the first time in three years as a result.

The cost of living for overseas workers in Australia and New Zealand has plummeted since 2017, with every Australasian location included in the survey dropping at least 20 places. Sydney and Canberra both fell out of the top 50 and now sit in 70th and 85th respectively.

According to ECA’s report, petrol is an example of an item that is much cheaper in Sydney compared to London, costing 46p less per litre (96p compared to £1.42).

Kilfedder explained: “Both the Australian and New Zealand dollar experienced difficulties over the past year and were outperformed by a number of other regional and global currencies. This is good news for UK expatriates living in cities in these two nations however, as they have become much less expensive overall.”

The UAE leads a rise in the rankings for Middle Eastern countries
The cost of living in the majority of cities in the Middle East has increased, with Dubai entering the top 50 most expensive cities list for the first time**.

“The introduction of a five percent Value Added Tax in the UAE has pushed up the average price of goods and services in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This, combined with the fact that its currency is pegged to the US dollar has caused the cost of living for many overseas workers to jump. In the past five years these UAE cities have jumped by 125 and 128 places in the rankings, with Dubai now in 49th place and Abu Dhabi at 54th,” explained Kilfedder.

Swiss cities make up four of the top five most expensive in the world
Geneva (2nd), Zurich (3rd), Basel (4th) and Bern (5th) all continue to demonstrate that Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world, with the four Swiss cities maintaining a steady record of being within the top ten most expensive in the world for the past five years. A cup of coffee in Geneva for example costs £4.73, over £2 more than in central London (£2.71).

Kilfedder explained, “A strong currency and particularly high food prices are among the reasons why Switzerland is so expensive for foreigners. However, despite the high prices, high salaries in the country mean locals are still well-off compared to their European counterparts.”

ECA’s Cost of Living report analyses a basket of goods and services commonly purchased by international assignees in 479 locations worldwide. The survey allows businesses to ensure that their employees’ spending power is maintained when they are sent on international assignments. ECA International has been conducting research into cost of living for over 45 years.

The Top 20 Most Expensive Cities

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