Amsterdam leaps up list of most expensive cities, but is still only 50th

Amsterdam has risen 35 places in Mercer’s annual ranking of the most expensive cities for expats, but still only comes in 50^th place.

Consultants group Mercer bases its ranking on the cost of eating out and entertainment as well as the price of renting a home. The high cost of rental properties in Amsterdam is likely to be the main reason for the city’s rise up the list.

Newcomers can expect to pay upwards of €1,500 for one-room apartment of 50 square metres – if they can find one. Average new rental contracts in the city are now over €2,200, according to research by housing platform Pararius.

Hong Kong is top of the list, replacing Luanda, the capital of Angola, followed by Tokyo and Zurich.

‘Overall, Western European cities have all risen in the rankings, a result of strong local currencies against the US dollar and the cost of goods and services,’ Mercer said.

In particular, cities in Germany experienced some of this year’s biggest surges in the ranking, with Frankfurt (68) and Berlin (71) jumping forty-nine spots while Munich (57) climbed forty-one places.

Copenhagen, in 14^th place, is the most expensive EU city, followed by London in 19^th position.