The Worlds Ten Cheapest Cities To Live
A new survey has revealed the ten least expensive cities to live in the world.
More than 200 factors, including the cost of housing, transport and food are taken into account from the 143 cities surveyed.
One important fact about this list is that it’s not about your normal everyday local who lives in these cities. The survey is aimed at firms thinking of sending workers abroad.
I personally think the results are way off the mark in terms of living cheaply. If you lived like the locals in cities across South America and Asia you wouldn’t spend nearly as much because the high standards set out for expat workers are far higher than what is available in terms of accommodation and food.
10. Tunis
The tenth cheapest city in the annual survey was Tunis in Tunisia. Most African cities have become more expensive in the past year, according to consulting firm Mercer.
9. Chennai
Chennai (Madras), in India, was ranked cheaper than New Delhi and Mumbai, which both became considerably cheaper this year after the Indian rupee made a significant loss against the US dollar.
8. Quito
Quito, in Ecuador, was named the eighth cheapest city, the first of four Central and South American cities in the inexpensive top ten.
7. Mexico City
Mexico City came next as the seventh least expensive city, after living costs fell compared to last year. Most European cities were also judged to be cheaper in the 2009 ratings as many European currencies weakened against the dollar.
6. Auckland
The cost of living in Auckland, New Zealand also fell this year. Surprisingly it was named the world’s sixth cheapest city.
5. Wellington
Wellington, also on New Zealand’s north island, is even cheaper.
The survey could partly explain the island’s reputation as a popular holiday destination if it offers such value for money.
4. Karachi
Karachi, in Pakistan, is fourth cheapest among the cities of the world, coming in at 140th overall. It continues to be the least costly city in Asia.
3. Asunción
Third from top in the cheap list is Asunción, in Paraguay in South America. In 2008 it was the cheapest city in the survey.
2. Monterrey
Monterrey, in Mexico, was the next cheapest when goods such as housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment were measured.
1. Johannesburg
Finally, Johannesburg was deemed the world’s cheapest city. Tokyo, named the most expensive city, is nearly three times as costly.
Posted on July 16, 2009 | Filed Under Travel
3 Responses to The Worlds Ten Cheapest Cities To Live
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Monterrey as a cheap city in whch to live? Only if most American cities are also cheap, as Monterrey is virtually a carbon copy of them. No way. Even Acapulco and Cancun are cheaper in which to live. Makes one wonder about the validity of the other listed cities, especially the NZ cities. Everyone knows NZ is a beautiful but very expensive place in which to live.
Thanks for posting an article without prices, it was really informative information that I could do jack shit with.
Along with being cheap they look very pleasant to stay in, I am quite surprised to hear about some of the cities mentioned in this as I did think they would be expensive.