For expats, Kolkata is more economical than Mumbai

Former capital of India is now the least expensive city for expatriates while Mumbai is deemed as the costliest.

Ranking 82 on the Mercer's 2016 Cost of Living Survey, India’s financial capital was followed by New Delhi (130) and Chennai (158). 

While Bengaluru and Kolkata were the least expensive cities for expats, Bengaluru still ranked higher at 180 leaving Kolkata at 194.

Bengaluru has witnessed the highest jump in ranking, on account of surge in prices, especially on items pertaining to food and personal care.

The city is also one of the most expensive cities in India on account of transportation, which include taxi fares, cost of auto and auto parts as well as running costs, a PTI report stated.

Mumbai also ranks before major cities like Seattle (83), Frankfurt (88), Canberra (98), Berlin (100) and Istanbul (101), the survey stated.

Here are the top 10 of the costliest cities in the world for expatriates to live in.

1. Hong Kong
2. Luanda (Angola)
3. Zurich (Switzerland)
4. Singapore
5. Tokyo (Japan)
6. Kinshasa (Congo)
7. Shanghai (China)
8. Geneva (Switzerland)
9. N’Djamena (Chad)
10. Beijing (China)

According to the survey, the world’s least expensive cities for expatriates are Windhoek (209) in Namibia, Cape Town (208) in South Africa and Bishkek (207) in Kyrgyzstan bordering Central Asia.

(With inputs form PTI report)