Cost of living in Hong Kong is 17% more expensive than in Charlotte, North Carolina (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 689 prices entered by 100 different people.
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Food | - 20% | |||
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Food in Hong Kong is 20% cheaper than in Charlotte, North Carolina (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Hong Kong | Charlotte, North Carolina | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | HK$87 ($11) | $19 | - 41% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | HK$44 ($5.57) | $10 | - 42% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | HK$50 ($6) | $6 | + 5% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | HK$22 ($2.76) | $0.98 | + 182% | |
12 eggs, large | HK$33 ($4.20) | $6 | - 35% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | HK$24 ($3.00) | $3.93 | - 24% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | HK$106 ($14) | $5.58 | + 143% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | HK$33 ($4.25) | $3.96 | + 7% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | HK$24 ($3.09) | $2.21 | + 40% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | HK$16 ($2.04) | $5.14 | - 60% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | HK$153 ($19) | $15 | + 34% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | HK$17 ($2.18) | $3.11 | - 30% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | HK$17 ($2.22) | $2.65 | - 16% | |
Housing | + 79% | |||
Housing in Hong Kong is 79% more expensive than in Charlotte, North Carolina (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Hong Kong | Charlotte, North Carolina | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | HK$44,474 ($5,667) | $2,318 | + 144% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | HK$28,143 ($3,586) | $1,647 | + 118% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | HK$968 ($123) | $214 | - 42% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | HK$24,786 ($3,158) | $1,499 | + 111% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | HK$17,400 ($2,217) | $1,189 | + 86% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | HK$824 ($105) | $163 | - 36% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | HK$225 ($29) | $45 | - 36% | |
40” flat screen tv | HK$4,866 ($620) | $277 | + 124% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | HK$1,523 ($194) | $103 | + 88% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | HK$90 ($12) | $10 | + 15% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | HK$98 ($12) | $23 | - 47% | |
Clothes | + 6% | |||
Clothes in Hong Kong is 6% more expensive than in Charlotte, North Carolina (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Hong Kong | Charlotte, North Carolina | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | HK$675 ($86) | $56 | + 52% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | HK$354 ($45) | $43 | + 5% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | HK$626 ($80) | $105 | - 24% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | HK$1,220 ($155) | $179 | - 13% | |
Transportation | - 12% | |||
Transportation in Hong Kong is 12% cheaper than in Charlotte, North Carolina (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Hong Kong | Charlotte, North Carolina | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | HK$235,062 ($29,950) | $28,726 | + 4% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | HK$23 ($2.88) | $0.92 | + 213% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | HK$526 ($67) | $90 | - 26% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | HK$91 ($12) | $40 | - 71% | |
Personal Care | - 32% | |||
Personal Care in Hong Kong is 32% cheaper than in Charlotte, North Carolina (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Hong Kong | Charlotte, North Carolina | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | HK$59 ($7) | $7 | + 14% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | HK$101 ($13) | $14 | - 8% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | HK$369 ($47) | $168 | - 72% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | HK$67 ($9) | $7 | + 28% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | HK$45 ($5.70) | $4.34 | + 31% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | HK$44 ($5.62) | $5.81 | - 3% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | HK$13 ($1.72) | $6 | - 72% | |
Tube of toothpaste | HK$20 ($2.52) | $1.75 | + 44% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | HK$265 ($34) | $35 | - 3% | |
Entertainment | + 33% | |||
Entertainment in Hong Kong is 33% more expensive than in Charlotte, North Carolina (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Hong Kong | Charlotte, North Carolina | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | HK$353 ($45) | $50 | - 9% | |
2 tickets to the movies | HK$209 ($27) | $24 | + 12% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | HK$1,653 ($211) | $197 | + 7% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | HK$1,004 ($128) | $64 | + 99% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | HK$144 ($18) | $13 | + 44% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | HK$47 ($6) | $6 | - 4% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | HK$64 ($8) | $5.61 | + 45% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | HK$3,667 ($467) | $491 | - 5% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | HK$0.86 ($0.11) | $0.16 | - 33% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | HK$909 ($116) | $49 | + 136% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | HK$69 ($9) | $8 | + 11% | |
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TOTAL | + 17% |

These prices were last updated on March 22, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.12741
USD
/
HKD
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For example, you would need at least $7,494 (HK$58,816) in Hong Kong to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $6,400 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Singapore costs SGD $15 (about 1 hour ago)
- 1 liter of whole fat milk in Seoul costs ₩2,896 (about 1 hour ago)
- 500 g of boneless chicken breast in Ibague costs COL$9,000 (about 1 hour ago)
- Monthly rent - 900 sqft furnished accommodation in expensive area in London costs £2,541 (about 1 hour ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Santiago costs CH$950,000 (about 2 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in São Paulo costs R$ 4,000 (about 2 hours ago)