Moscow ranks as world's priciest city

by Victoria Revay | June 19, 2007 at 12:16 pm | 506 views | 4 comments

Bridge over the river in downtown Moscow

by NP_1_120908

Moscow is the world's most expensive city the second year in a row. This according to a survey by Mercer Human resource Consulting, which ranked 143 cities around the world and compared them in over 200 areas such as housing, transportation and food. How expensive is expensive? Well, if you're an expat living in Moscow, you'll pay at least $4,000 a month to rent a two-bedroom apartment, you can expect to pay at least $5.00 for a fast food hamburger and a CD will set you back roughly $25.00. What's the least expensive city for the fifth year in a row? Paraguay's capital, Asuncion, where the cost of living is half that of New York.

The cost of living for expatriates in the Russian capital is nearly 35 percent higher than in New York,

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Ronia Nash

at 13:32 on June 19th, 2007

We spent 3 nights at the Sheraton and our hotel bill was $2300CAN .... maybe $300 of that was food, but that's a high estimate.

Ronia Nash

at 13:32 on June 19th, 2007

We spent 3 nights at the Sheraton and our hotel bill was $2300CAN .... maybe $300 of that was food, but that's a high estimate.

chaz

at 13:54 on June 19th, 2007

Sounds to me like Russians are catching on to capitalism... Can we now expect twelve million illegal Russian immigrants looking for a better life?

Barry Artiste

at 14:29 on June 19th, 2007

Wow $2300.00 at the Sheraton, last year I stayed at the Belgrade Hotel for close to a month for that kind of coin, I guess it depends on what luxuries you need. In 2002 I rented a three room flat in Arabat for around $50 US, which was on par with some mid priced hotels. If they had known I was there as a Government of Canada rep, the price would be triple. Tourists always get taken for a ride. You just have to be savy beforehand. I once pushed a Moscow cab a half kilometer from Moscow U until it finally started, and he only charged me half far about 130 rubles. Moscow's Golden circle will always be pricey, but considering you can drive 10 minutes to Reutov, which is a suburb like Burnaby BC. Prices are pretty reasonable. Homeownership will always be a problem when salaries of the Russian people are at $600.00 a month.

One thing is certain Moscow is indeed a beautiful city, and wonderful people, especially if you try and learn to speak the language.