Cost of living for a family of four in 10 major Asian cities

According to Numbeo, monthly rent in downtown Shanghai is about $2,700.

Zuozhuangzhuang | Electronic+ | Getty Images

Living in a big city can come with a hefty price tag, so it’s best to get your knowledge before making the big move.

In Asia, Hong Kong and Singapore rank among the highest in terms of cost of living. It is estimated that a family of four can expect to spend $9,000 per month to live in these cities. Nubeoan online database of user-contributed information.

As global financial centers, Singapore and Hong Kong attract expats from around the world, which can push up pricesThat’s according to a June report from human resources consulting firm Mercer.

“Singapore is one of the most attractive locations for those looking to advance their careers,” Tracey Ma, regional mobility director for Asia Pacific at Mercer, told CNBC Make It. She said the country’s “strong” economy and numerous Factors such as opportunities can attract foreigners to the country.

Additionally, the real estate markets in these two cities are also hot.

“Hong Kong has always been one of the most expensive rental markets in the world due to limited housing supply and the number of people moving in,” Ma said.

House rentals in Singapore have also “skyrocketed” starting in 2022, but prices have started to stabilize in recent months, Ma said.

For the second consecutive quarter, private companies House rents fall in the island nationAccording to data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore, the decline was 1.9% in the first quarter of 2024, following a 2.1% decline in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Here’s a broader look at the cost of living for a family of four in 10 major Asian cities, according to Numbeo:

Singapore

population: 6.1 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $4,025

Rent for three bedrooms in downtown: $5,308

Total living expenses: $9,333/month

Hongkong

Population: 7.7 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (not including rent): $4,137

Rent for three bedrooms in downtown: $4,997

Total living expenses: $9,134/month

Seoul, Korea

Population: 10 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (not including rent): $4,123

Rent for three bedrooms in downtown: $2,528

Total living expenses: $6,651/month

Tokyo, Japan

Population: 37 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $3,431

Rent for three bedrooms in downtown: $2,634

Total living expenses: $6,065/month

China Shanghai

Population: 29.9 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $2,311

Rent for three bedrooms in downtown: $2,716

Total living expenses: $5,027/month

Bangkok, Thailand

Population: 11.2 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $2,304

Three-bedroom rent downtown: $1,664

Total living expenses: $3,968/month

Manila, Philippines

Population: 14.9 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $2,209

Three-bedroom rent downtown: $1,619

Total living expenses: $3,828/month

Jakarta, Indonesia

Population: 11.4 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,732

Rent for three bedrooms downtown: $1,260

Total living expenses: $2,992/month

Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam

Population: 9.6 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (excluding rent): $1,746

Three-bedroom rent downtown: $1,157

Total living expenses: $2,903/month

Delhi, India

Population: 33.8 million

Estimated monthly living expenses (not including rent): $1,383

Rent for three bedrooms in city center: $727

Total living expenses: $2,110/month

Globally, Geneva, Switzerland tops the list with a monthly cost of living of $6,201 for a family of four, and Zurich ranks second in Numbeo’s 2024 cost of living indexfollowed by New York City, San Francisco and Boston.

Want to make some extra money outside of your day job? register CNBC’s New Online Course How to Earn Passive Income Online Learn about common passive income streams, tips for getting started, and real-life success stories.