Singapore and Zurich are this year’s most expensive cities to live in, according to a new report—but looking at how much a cup of coffee costs in each city can reveal a different side to the story
In its annual cost-of-living survey, The Economist Intelligence Unit released its take on the world’s most expensive cities to live in. Singapore, which kept its number one title for the ninth year in a row, shares its crown with Zurich, dethroning last year’s other top city New York. Hong Kong, the only other Asian city in the top ten, slid from fourth to fifth.
But what does all this actually mean? Let’s look at how much a cup of cappuccino costs in the top ten most expensive cities and see if it can put some perspective to this ranking.
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Zurich and Singapore, both occupying first place
At CHF5.63 (US$6.40) for a cup of cappuccino, living in Zurich may make you consider brewing your own coffee at home (or even switch to tea altogether).
Singapore’s cappuccinos are slightly cheaper. Around SG$6.30 (US$4.70) should get you a good cup at a decent coffee shop. The big advantage of this city is that if you really want to save (or if you just enjoy locally made coffee), the average cup of kopi—a traditional style of coffee found in Southeast Asian countries—is only SG$1.35 (US$1.00).
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