The Most Expensive City in the Americas

This week, British agency Employment Conditions Abroad released its 2010 survey of the most expensive cities in the world for expats, demonstrating a rise in the cost of living  in several countries, particularly Brazil. In fact, that's the kicker: the study found that Rio de Janeiro is now the most expensive city in the hemisphere -- even more expensive than New York.

The sharp rise in the cost of living was attributed to an increased demand for Brazilian commodities, as well as the strengthening of the real. Granted, the study isn't completely comprehensive; it includes food (groceries and eating out at restaurants), drinks and tobacco, "miscellaneous goods," services, clothing, electrical goods, and "motoring." It does not include accommodation, utilities, car purchases, or school fees. But it does reflect a reality that prices in Rio are outrageously high, and have been for some time (I've been writing about this for awhile). Interestingly, though, Rio and New York were right next to each other on the list - Rio as the 28th most expensive city and New York (Manhattan) as the 29th.

To see the complete list of cities, click here.

Related story: Brazil's emerging lower middle class fires up marketers in Brazil

Excerpt: "Understanding this group of new consumers can be challenging for marketers trying to target them with the right products, services and messages. An ad agency called Consumidor Popular recently ran a workshop for 12 executives that included kits full of photos the agency had snapped in the homes of Clase C families showing what was in their cupboards and refrigerators to offer insights into their brand choices and consumption habits. High-status cellphones are a given, and the Samsung Star model, priced at $325, is a favorite among the Clase C, who account for about 50% of Samsung's cellphone sales."

Comments

[BZgirl]

Thanks for consolidating this information. I'm sick of trying to explain how backwardly and unjustly expensive Rio is to people who haven't lived there. I'm also sick of the U.S. twenty-somethings who speak about New York and Los Angeles as if they were the end all and be all of world cities, constantly citing the ability to survive in one of those places as the ultimate litmus test to one's toughness and personal grit. I feel slightly vindicated reading this somehow. I think that the ability to survive in Rio is more of a testament to one's ability to survive anywhere than the ability to survive in New York or Los Angeles.

[Simone]

Well, this definitely is new to me. When I left Brazil, Rio used to be much more affordable than SP. For instance rent, food, etc. I guess all the gringos going to Rio in the past few years might have had an influence in the high price of everything as well. ;-)

[carol]

Brasilia and sp are far more expensive than Rio...

[James Miller]

When Brazilians get hot water in their showers on a regular basis then I will consider them a world power.

[Eduarda]

Carol, people from Brasilia and SP have higher salaries than people in Rio.

[Account Deleted]

Miller, there are 40 millions houses in Brazil with electrical showers, and high-income houses use gas-powered showers. Even on shantytowns people have electrical showers, since Federal Government pays a great part of bill. Just on remote locations or very very poor houses people havent electrical showers. Have you been in Brazil already?