Auckland among world's most expensive cities

Auckland is among the world's most expensive cities. Photo / 123rf

Forget the flashy reputations of Monaco or Macau, a striking new infographic has revealed the world's most expensive cities - and Auckland's among them.

Despite the extravagant lifestyles of urbanites in Asia and the Middle East, Bermuda's capital, Hamilton, is the costliest city on Earth, followed by San Francisco and New York.

Travel agent The Crazy Tourist used recent stats from crowd sourced data site Numbeo to create the handy illustration of the 20 most expensive cities.

Numbeo found that while Bermuda may look like a relaxed location, visitors and locals alike must ensure they're carrying their wallets in their colourful shorts in Hamilton.

According to the Daily Mail story, the median monthly cost of living is an eye-watering $6865 in the financial hub, which has a tiny population of just over 3000 people.

Financially squeezed San Franciscans might be surprised to discover that their Californian home is the second most expensive city in the world with the cost of living a staggering $6625 per month.

Rounding out the top three ranking is economic powerhouse New York, which costs residents $6043 each month for the privilege of life in the Big Apple.

London was rated sixth on the list costing locals $4637 each month just ahead of Dubai in seventh place with monthly expenses totalling $4318.

Sydney also made the top 10 list, with locals spending $4149 on their living costs each month.

The Crazy Tourist also revealed that rather than residents of these expensive hubs splashing their income on the highlife and attractions that their home city has to offer, for many the biggest expense is rent.

On average San Franciscans spend a whopping 72.7 per cent of their cost of living each month on rent. Locals in New York are similarly cash-strapped, forking out 69 per cent of their living costs on lodgings.

Followed by Hong Kong and London where locals set 65.4 per cent of their living costs each month aside for accommodation.

However, in stylish Geneva, the fourth most expensive city in the world, residents are able to lavish 15.4 per cent of their living costs on dining out at restaurants.

Hamilton locals were also found to spend 12.1 per cent of their living costs on eating out.
One of the most staggering findings from the study was how the same item can cost significantly more in one city than another.

While beer generally hovers around $8.65 in San Francisco, New York and Geneva, it is marginally cheaper in London and Hong Kong.

But in Hamilton pub goers will need deep pockets as it costs $13 to quench your thirst with a beer there.

A trip to the cinema varies significantly, with tickets in Hong Kong costing $17 but for the same viewing, moviegoers must fork out $28 in Geneva.

The most shocking difference is the cost of high speed internet access, which is $40 in Hong Kong but an eye-watering $200 in Hamilton, Bermuda.