Dhaka ranks as the second expensive city in South Asia

Mumbai has been named the most expensive city in South Asia for expatriates, according to the 2024 Mercer Cost of Living Survey. The city now ranks 136th globally, reflecting a slight increase from last year. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, has also seen a significant rise in costs, moving up to 140th place from 154th last year. This jump of 14 places highlights the growing expenses for expats living in Dhaka. Hong Kong remains the world's most expensive city for expats for the third year in a row, with Singapore coming in second. Several cities in Switzerland also rank among the top ten most expensive. In South Asia, New Delhi is ranked 165th, Colombo 190th, and Islamabad 224th. Cities in Afghanistan, Bhutan, the Maldives, and Nepal did not make the list. The Mercer survey evaluates over 200 factors in 226 cities worldwide, including transportation, food, clothing, household goods, and entertainment, to determine the cost of living for expatriates. The 2024 rankings were published on Monday, offering a detailed look at the living expenses expats face around the world.