An app to compare cost of living in major APAC cities

BANGALORE, INDIA: Despite being the most populous and wealthiest city in India with the highest number of millionaires and billionaires, Mumbai is 53% less expensive below the APAC average.

In Mumbai, secondary and higher education is 68% less expensive than the APAC average while food is 61% less expensive.

But, delving deeper into the data reveals that all is not how it may seem.

For example, a Mercedes CLS is 20% more expensive in Mumbai compared to one in Tokyo. Similarly, a round of golf (9 holes) is more expensive in Mumbai when compared to Sydney.

And how do we know this?

Qlik has developed a new web-based Cost of Living app that uses embedded visual analytics to enable you to quickly and easily compare the cost of living across eight key cities in Asia Pacific (APAC) – Mumbai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

Some other interesting insights on living costs in APAC countries:

Cost of property:

In terms of finding a place to live, Kuala Lumpur is most attractive option for people who like to live in the city center, with property costing US$331 per square feet to buy and US$1.11 per square feet to rent. Hong Kong tops the city center list at US$2,002 per square feet to buy and US$6.52 per square feet to rent. On the other hand, if you are interested in renting in the inner suburbs, then Mumbai (US$0.24 per square feet), Kuala Lumpur (US$0.41 per square feet) and Sydney (US$0.9 per square feet) are the most attractive choices.

Cost of education:

The cost of sending one student to an international school in Shanghai (US$45,229) is the equivalent of sending 22 to an international school in Mumbai (US$2,016).

Cost of eating out:

While Sydney is known for being a gourmet paradise, it is also the priciest place in APAC to eat out in hotel restaurants, with a meal for two costing up to US$247. followed by Shanghai (US$133), Tokyo (US$116), Hong Kong (US$70), Mumbai (US$61) and Seoul (US$53).

Cost of staying in shape:

Although Shanghai’s cost of living data places it 11% lower than the APAC average, it is the most expensive city to stay in shape, with a monthly gym membership costing US$157 and a session with a personal trainer costing US$393. In contrast, although Seoul has a similar overall cost of living to Shanghai coming in at 10% lower than average, a monthly gym membership will set you back just US$30, while a personal trainer session costs only US$72.