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Hong Kong among the cheapest cities in the world for beer
While the latest global annual cost of living survey again crowned Hong Kong as the most expensive city in the world to live in, the city is among the cheapest places for beer, according to consulting firm Mercer.
A bottle of imported 0.33 litre beer in the city sells for US$1.30 in supermarkets, thanks to Hong Kong’s zero tax on wine and beer. The same bottle would sell for US$2.44 in Singapore, and US$4.18 in Sydney, according to the report.
Fast food such as a burger is equally good value, costing only US$4.83 compared to US$6.3 in Tokyo and US$8.19 in Sydney.
But as far as overall cost of living goes, the city is the most expensive place to live of the 209 cities surveyed for the Mercer report, outranking Tokyo, Zurich, Singapore, and Seoul mainly due to its soaring rental price.
A two-bedroom flat of international standard goes for US$7,671 per month in Hong Kong, compared with US$5,700 in New York, US$3,334.96 in Singapore, and US$4,334.79 in London.
Mercer’s 24th annual Cost of Living Survey compares prices on rental accommodation, meals, and entertainment among a measure of 200 daily necessities in comparing the living cost for expatriates, according to SCMP.