Cost of living comparison between Hong Kong (Hong Kong) and Charlotte (United States)
| Food | 6% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Hong Kong (Hong Kong) is 6% cheaper than in Charlotte (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | HK$91 ($11.73) | $11.56 | 1% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | HK$28 ($3.64) | $5.62 | 35% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | HK$28 ($3.65) | $4.94 | 26% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | HK$23 ($2.98) | $2.44 | 22% |
| 12 eggs, large | HK$30 ($3.92) | $2.35 | 67% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | HK$19.53 ($2.51) | $5.33 | 53% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | HK$58 ($7.41) | $4.21 | 76% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | HK$23 ($2.99) | $3.53 | 15% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | HK$21 ($2.67) | $4.07 | 34% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | HK$12.47 ($1.60) | $2.08 | 23% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | HK$147 ($18.92) | $18.33 | 3% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | HK$15.62 ($2.01) | $1.63 | 23% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | HK$14.94 ($1.92) | $1.37 | 40% |
| Housing | 125% | ||
| Housing in Hong Kong (Hong Kong) is 125% more expensive than in Charlotte (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | HK$33,361 ($4,294) | $1,267 | 239% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | HK$1,341 ($173) | $218 | 21% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | HK$234 ($30) | $42 | 29% |
| 40” flat screen TV | HK$8,712 ($1,121) | $603 | 86% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | HK$1,300 ($167) | $90 | 86% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | HK$63 ($8.04) | $12.74 | 37% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | HK$69 ($8.92) | $33 | 73% |
| Clothes | 29% | ||
| Clothes in Hong Kong (Hong Kong) is 29% more expensive than in Charlotte (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | HK$769 ($99) | $43 | 132% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | HK$341 ($44) | $43 | 3% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | HK$569 ($73) | $76 | 3% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | HK$1,045 ($134) | $81 | 66% |
| Transportation | 28% | ||
| Transportation in Hong Kong (Hong Kong) is 28% more expensive than in Charlotte (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | HK$283,857 ($36,536) | $20,982 | 74% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | HK$16.16 ($2.08) | $1.06 | 97% |
| monthly ticket public transport | HK$396 ($51) | $55 | 7% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | HK$101 ($13.05) | $16.14 | 19% |
| Personal Care | 30% | ||
| Personal Care in Hong Kong (Hong Kong) is 30% more expensive than in Charlotte (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | HK$92 ($11.87) | $7.12 | 67% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | HK$39 ($4.96) | $6.14 | 19% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | HK$27 ($3.44) | $2.75 | 25% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | HK$83 ($10.68) | $4.97 | 115% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | HK$14.59 ($1.88) | $3.33 | 44% |
| Tube of toothpaste | HK$17.76 ($2.29) | $2.69 | 15% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | HK$198 ($26) | $18.07 | 41% |
| Entertainment | 7% | ||
| Entertainment in Hong Kong (Hong Kong) is 7% more expensive than in Charlotte (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | HK$307 ($39) | $36 | 10% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | HK$133 ($17.08) | $18.41 | 7% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | HK$612 ($79) | $64 | 23% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | HK$852 ($110) | $70 | 56% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | HK$86 ($11.11) | $8.08 | 38% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | HK$36 ($4.68) | $4.63 | 1% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | HK$44 ($5.61) | $4 | 40% |
| iPod nano 8GB (6th generation) | HK$1,171 ($151) | $130 | 16% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | HK$1.61 ($0.21) | $0.70 | 70% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | HK$581 ($75) | $42 | 80% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | HK$50 ($6.44) | $4.89 | 32% |
| TOTAL | 49% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 2,819 prices entered by 269 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 15, 2012.
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Cost of living in Hong Kong (Hong Kong) is 49% more expensive than in Charlotte (United States)
For example, you would need at least $4,457
(HK$34,628)
in Hong Kong
to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with
$3,000
in Charlotte.