The World’s 10 Most Expensive Cities

Find out which African city landed the top spot.

Cost of Living: The World’s 10 Most Expensive Cities - Each year, U.S. consulting firm Mercer releases a global cost of living survey to help multinational companies determine the compensation of their expatriate employees. Recent world events, including economic and political upheavals, resulted in currency fluctuations and cost inflation impacted these cities, a Mercer senior partner, told International Business Times. Keep reading to find out how a bustling African seaport, a wealthy Asian city-state and other cities measured up. — Patrice Peck(Photo: Keith Tsuji/Getty Images)

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Cost of Living: The World’s 10 Most Expensive Cities - Each year, U.S. consulting firm Mercer releases a global cost of living survey to help multinational companies determine the compensation of their expatriate employees. Recent world events, including economic and political upheavals, resulted in currency fluctuations and cost inflation impacted these cities, a Mercer senior partner, told International Business Times. Keep reading to find out how a bustling African seaport, a wealthy Asian city-state and other cities measured up. — Patrice Peck(Photo: Keith Tsuji/Getty Images)

1. Luanda, Angola - Although more than 50 percent of Luanda residents live in poverty, the Angolan city is the world’s most expensive city for expatriates. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($6,500), movie ticket ($10.42), pair of blue jeans ($204.41), cup of coffee ($3.88), fast food hamburger meal ($20.06), 1 liter of gasoline ($0.63), 1 liter of whole milk ($3.18), 1 liter of soda ($2.14).(Photo: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)

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1. Luanda, Angola - Although more than 50 percent of Luanda residents live in poverty, the Angolan city is the world’s most expensive city for expatriates. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($6,500), movie ticket ($10.42), pair of blue jeans ($204.41), cup of coffee ($3.88), fast food hamburger meal ($20.06), 1 liter of gasoline ($0.63), 1 liter of whole milk ($3.18), 1 liter of soda ($2.14).(Photo: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)

2. Moscow, Russia - Not only does Russia’s capital city Moscow rank as the costliest European city on this list, but it is home to the largest community of billionaires in the world, according to Forbes. However, due to the current global economic situation, the city’s price of real estate continues to rise. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($4,600), movie ticket ($11.60), pair of blue jeans ($169.13), cup of coffee ($8.29), fast food hamburger meal ($6.47), 1 liter of gasoline ($1.04), 1 liter of whole milk ($7.59), 1 liter of soda ($1.77).(Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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2. Moscow, Russia - Not only does Russia’s capital city Moscow rank as the costliest European city on this list, but it is home to the largest community of billionaires in the world, according to Forbes. However, due to the current global economic situation, the city’s price of real estate continues to rise. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($4,600), movie ticket ($11.60), pair of blue jeans ($169.13), cup of coffee ($8.29), fast food hamburger meal ($6.47), 1 liter of gasoline ($1.04), 1 liter of whole milk ($7.59), 1 liter of soda ($1.77).(Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

3. Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo, the largest metropolitan area in the world, houses the headquarters of several of the world’s largest insurance companies and investment banks. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($4,600), movie ticket ($19.34), pair of blue jeans ($135.40), cup of coffee ($6.98), fast food hamburger meal ($7.31), 1 liter of gasoline ($1.74), 1 liter of whole milk ($1.05), 1 liter of soda ($1.92).(Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

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3. Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo, the largest metropolitan area in the world, houses the headquarters of several of the world’s largest insurance companies and investment banks. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($4,600), movie ticket ($19.34), pair of blue jeans ($135.40), cup of coffee ($6.98), fast food hamburger meal ($7.31), 1 liter of gasoline ($1.74), 1 liter of whole milk ($1.05), 1 liter of soda ($1.92).(Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

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4. N’djamena, Chad - In the port city of N’djamena, Chad’s capital and financial center, apartment hunting can get expensive when searching for a “high-quality and secure” rental, said Mercer spokesman Steven Nurney. Although several purchases were marked not applicable on Mercer’s list, including rental prices, a newspaper costs $6.94, a club sandwich and soda costs $25.51, one liter of whole milk costs $2.75 and one liter of soda costs $1.63.(Photo: Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)

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5. Singapore, Singapore - Boasting several noteworthy titles like the world’s fourth-leading financial center and the world’s largest oil-rig producer, Singapore has maintained a strong currency. Recent government measures made to moderate housing price increases have been effective. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($3,794.94), movie ticket ($9.28), pair of blue jeans ($129.11), cup of coffee ($4.84), fast food hamburger meal ($5.61), 1 liter of gasoline ($1.76), 1 liter of whole milk ($2.62), 1 liter of soda ($1.13).(Photo: Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images)

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5. Singapore, Singapore - Boasting several noteworthy titles like the world’s fourth-leading financial center and the world’s largest oil-rig producer, Singapore has maintained a strong currency. Recent government measures made to moderate housing price increases have been effective. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($3,794.94), movie ticket ($9.28), pair of blue jeans ($129.11), cup of coffee ($4.84), fast food hamburger meal ($5.61), 1 liter of gasoline ($1.76), 1 liter of whole milk ($2.62), 1 liter of soda ($1.13).(Photo: Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images)

6. Hong Kong, China - With its low taxation and free trade, this Chinese city has maintained a highly capitalist economy. The Hong Kong dollar is the ninth most traded currency in the world, yet most of the city’s food and raw materials must be imported because the area lacks land for crops. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($7,091.69), movie ticket ($11.60), pair of blue jeans ($115.92), cup of coffee ($5.67), fast food hamburger meal ($3.54), 1 liter of gasoline ($2.23), 1 liter of whole milk ($3.12), 1 liter of soda ($1.02).(Photo: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomber/Getty Images)

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6. Hong Kong, China - With its low taxation and free trade, this Chinese city has maintained a highly capitalist economy. The Hong Kong dollar is the ninth most traded currency in the world, yet most of the city’s food and raw materials must be imported because the area lacks land for crops. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($7,091.69), movie ticket ($11.60), pair of blue jeans ($115.92), cup of coffee ($5.67), fast food hamburger meal ($3.54), 1 liter of gasoline ($2.23), 1 liter of whole milk ($3.12), 1 liter of soda ($1.02).(Photo: Lam Yik Fei/Bloomber/Getty Images)

7. Geneva, Switzerland - Home to an important and old finance sector, Geneva has a mainly service-oriented economy. A number of multinational companies like DuPont and Cargill have their international headquarters in the Swiss city. Geneva nearly outranked its sister city Zurich as one of the costliest places to live. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($4,349.74), movie ticket ($18.48), pair of blue jeans ($141.26), cup of coffee ($6.52), fast food hamburger meal ($12.51), 1 liter of gasoline ($2.02), 1 liter of whole milk ($1.74), 1 liter of soda ($1.60).(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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7. Geneva, Switzerland - Home to an important and old finance sector, Geneva has a mainly service-oriented economy. A number of multinational companies like DuPont and Cargill have their international headquarters in the Swiss city. Geneva nearly outranked its sister city Zurich as one of the costliest places to live. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($4,349.74), movie ticket ($18.48), pair of blue jeans ($141.26), cup of coffee ($6.52), fast food hamburger meal ($12.51), 1 liter of gasoline ($2.02), 1 liter of whole milk ($1.74), 1 liter of soda ($1.60).(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

8. Zurich, Switzerland - Zurich, the most populous city in Switzerland, is one of the world’s largest financial centers. Despite having such a high cost of living, this Swiss city has also been ranked as having the highest quality of life for years, coming in behind Vienna in 2012. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($3,914.77), movie ticket ($20.66), pair of blue jeans ($141.26), cup of coffee ($5.98), fast food hamburger meal ($12.51), 1 liter of gasoline ($2.02), 1 liter of whole milk ($1.74), 1 liter of soda ($1.60).(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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8. Zurich, Switzerland - Zurich, the most populous city in Switzerland, is one of the world’s largest financial centers. Despite having such a high cost of living, this Swiss city has also been ranked as having the highest quality of life for years, coming in behind Vienna in 2012. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($3,914.77), movie ticket ($20.66), pair of blue jeans ($141.26), cup of coffee ($5.98), fast food hamburger meal ($12.51), 1 liter of gasoline ($2.02), 1 liter of whole milk ($1.74), 1 liter of soda ($1.60).(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

9. Bern, Switzerland - Also ranked among the world’s top 10 cities for the best (and costliest) quality of life is Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($2,686.51), movie ticket ($18.95), pair of blue jeans ($138.00), cup of coffee ($4.68), fast food hamburger meal ($12.51), 1 liter of gasoline ($2.02), 1 liter of whole milk ($1.74), 1 liter of soda ($1.60).(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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9. Bern, Switzerland - Also ranked among the world’s top 10 cities for the best (and costliest) quality of life is Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($2,686.51), movie ticket ($18.95), pair of blue jeans ($138.00), cup of coffee ($4.68), fast food hamburger meal ($12.51), 1 liter of gasoline ($2.02), 1 liter of whole milk ($1.74), 1 liter of soda ($1.60).(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

10. Sydney, Australia - A high-ranking world city home to multiple major global sporting events, Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, as well as its financial and economic hub. While this city outputs a majority of the country’s production, including poultry meat and eggs, it also has the highest median house price of any Australia city at $450 a week.   Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($2,551.42), movie ticket ($19.62), pair of blue jeans ($113.55), cup of coffee ($5.16), fast food hamburger meal ($9.20), 1 liter of gasoline ($1.51), 1 liter of whole milk ($2.67), 1 liter of soda ($2.15).(Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images)

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10. Sydney, Australia - A high-ranking world city home to multiple major global sporting events, Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, as well as its financial and economic hub. While this city outputs a majority of the country’s production, including poultry meat and eggs, it also has the highest median house price of any Australia city at $450 a week.   Cost of living: Rent of a luxury two-bedroom apartment, ($2,551.42), movie ticket ($19.62), pair of blue jeans ($113.55), cup of coffee ($5.16), fast food hamburger meal ($9.20), 1 liter of gasoline ($1.51), 1 liter of whole milk ($2.67), 1 liter of soda ($2.15).(Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images)