Cost of Living in Hong Kong

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The cost of living in Hong Kong is undeniably high, with some reports putting the city's cost of living as the highest in the world.

For a number of years, Hong Kong has topped Mercer's Cost of Living Survey and remains the most expensive city for expats in the world in 2023. In part, this is thanks to the region's extremely overinflated property market, which makes finding accommodation an expensive endeavour. Add to that the fact that most produce and commodities are imported, and one tends to find that the necessities of life are generally more expensive in Hong Kong than in other cities.

Nevertheless, the typically high salaries earned by expats tend to offset these costs, and many find their quality of life is higher than it was back home.

Cost of accommodation in Hong Kong

Housing in Hong Kong is notoriously expensive and, depending on their needs, expats can expect a high percentage of their salary to be spent on an (often tiny) apartment. The older Chinese-style apartments, in particular, may be more reasonably priced, but don't afford the space that Western expats may be used to.

Cost of public transport in Hong Kong

Public transport is cheap, clean and reliable. By contrast, owning and maintaining a car in Hong Kong is very expensive. Most people find that they don’t need one if they live centrally; plus the cost – and risk of bumping into erratic taxi drivers – is generally not worth it.

Cost of education in Hong Kong

Education is free in Hong Kong's state-run schools, but the majority of expats who arrive with kids prefer to send them to one of the region's private international schools that follow a foreign curriculum, such as that of the US and UK. These can be incredibly expensive and expats should make sure their salaries or package will cover school costs before signing a permanent contract.

Cost of healthcare in Hong Kong

Healthcare is free for expats using the public system, which is very good but heavily oversubscribed. Most organise a private insurance plan through their employer.

Cost of groceries and shopping in Hong Kong

Thanks to its proximity to China, there are many things that can be picked up cheaply in Hong Kong. Household supplies, clothes and other bits and pieces are made just across the border and transported freely into Hong Kong, and are thus very affordable. China also provides a lot of Hong Kong’s fresh food and grocery items, and if expats are happy to go local in terms of produce origin, the weekly shop can be easy on the wallet.

That said, most Westerners prefer not to buy local produce, especially with stories of questionable farming practices and food additive scandals hitting the papers regularly. Expats buying imported goods can expect to pay double for many food and produce items (especially meat), with the result that grocery shopping costs will quickly add up.

There is no shortage of Western items on international supermarket shelves: Tim Tams and Vegemite for the Australian market, graham crackers and ranch dressing for US expats, and Tiptree Jam and Marmite for the Brits. Not to mention the Japanese supermarkets, Thai food shops and Philippines speciality stores stocking their own culinary assets from home.