Auckland and Wellington living costs rise slightly

Auckland and Wellington have become more expensive cities to live in but are still much cheaper than most cities in developed countries.

The Economist Intelligence Unit's latest worldwide cost of living survey rates Auckland and Wellington at 101st with the Polish capital of Warsaw.

Auckland was 107th and Wellington was 105th in the same survey six months ago.

Tokyo and Osaka remain the two most expensive cities in the world to visit and to live in. They head the list of 134 cities.

Among the London-based report's findings are that a taxi ride from the airport to the centre of Tokyo will cost $US230 ($NZ544), and a two-course meal for two people can typically cost $US185.

London is at its highest ranking (fifth) in the past decade and the British capital is also the highest of any European Union country.

Los Angeles is 12th and Sydney 64th with two other former Olympic cities Montreal and Atlanta.

The city of the 2004 summer Olympics, Athens (84th), has a cost of living index below Cairo's and Montevideo's.

New York remains the most expensive city in the Americas. Its global position of 7th is unchanged from 12 months ago.

Other cities include Paris (14th), Buenos Aires 20th, Manchester 28th, Melbourne 74th, Perth 86th and Adelaide 99th.

The survey compares prices and products in 134 cities around the world.

Its purpose is to provide companies with an unbiased and independent guide from which allowances can be calculated for executives and their families being sent overseas.

- NZPA