MigrantoCost of living in Hong Kong
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Hong Kong
Spending runs from HK$9,080 a month in the poorest fifth to HK$54,400 in the richest
Per person, whole country
HK$21,300
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
HK$9,080richest 20%
HK$54,400
Where people spend money in Hong Kong
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Hong Kong in numbers
Other takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 30.5% of spending here, or HK$6,480 a month, against 14.6% in a typical country, 15.9 points more.
The most expensive of its neighbours
Every neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs HK$12,100 here against HK$9,500 in Macao, the closest on price.
How living costs in Hong Kong compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Hong Kong against other countries
More expensive than 80% of countries
Where Hong Kong sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs HK$7,840 at world-middle prices costs HK$12,100 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank, regional estimate), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2024 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Hong Kong
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Cost of living in Hong Kong
HK$9,080/mo
vs HK$6,270 in your country
Take-home
HK$10,300
vs HK$9,400 in your country
Potential savings
HK$1,180
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Hong Kong?
A typical person in Hong Kong spends about HK$21,300 a month — around HK$255,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Hong Kong?
By spending, Hong Kong ranks #9 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about HK$21,300 a month, the poorest 20% about HK$9,080 and the richest 20% about HK$54,400. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Hong Kong in US dollars?
The cost of living in Hong Kong is about $2,713 a month, or roughly $32,556 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Hong Kong?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about HK$9,080 a month per person, a typical one around HK$21,300, and a comfortable life around HK$30,000. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Hong Kong?
The biggest expense is housing, at about HK$3,890 a month (18% of spending). Then come groceries (HK$2,320, 11%) and clothing (HK$2,020, 10%).
Is the average salary in Hong Kong enough to live on?
Usually not quite. Average spending is about HK$21,300 a month, while the average take-home pay in Hong Kong is about HK$18,100. For more on incomes, see salaries in Hong Kong.
Is Hong Kong an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Hong Kong is more expensive than 96% of countries worldwide and ranks 1st of 27 in Asia by cost of living.
What currency is used in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Hong Kong
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