Hong Kong (HK)
Hong Kong is one of the world's most dynamic cities — a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China operating under the 'One Country, Two Systems' framework that preserves its common law legal system, independent judiciary, free port status, and separate currency.
Capital: Hong Kong
Region: Asia
Language: Chinese (Cantonese)
Currency: HKD (HK$)
Cost of living: Very expensive (index 90)
Emergency: 999
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Hong Kong — 2026 data in HKD.
90
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Above average cost. Budget carefully, especially for housing and groceries.
Food & Groceries
Bread (500g, local bakery) HK$20–45
Milk (1L, fresh) HK$20–35
Eggs (12, free range) HK$40–70
Chicken (1kg, whole) HK$50–90
Fresh salmon (200g, City Super) HK$80–140
Rice (jasmine, 5kg) HK$60–120
Beer (can 330ml, supermarket) HK$15–25
Wine (750ml, decent imported) HK$100–300
Monthly groceries for 1 person (eating in mix) HK$3,000–5,500
Dining Out
Cha Chaan Teng set meal (tea + food) HK$45–90
Wonton noodle soup (noodle shop) HK$50–80
Dim sum / yum cha (per person, weekend) HK$150–300
Local Cantonese restaurant main dish HK$80–180
Lunch set (mid-range restaurant) HK$100–200
Dinner for 2 (mid-range, without alcohol) HK$400–800
Michelin-starred restaurant (per person, tasting menu) HK$800–3,000+
Coffee (flat white, specialty café) HK$40–65
Beer in a bar (500ml, Wan Chai/LKF) HK$60–100
Starbucks latte HK$48–68
Rent
1BR apartment, urban HK Island (Wan Chai/Sheung Wan) HK$18,000–28,000
2BR apartment, urban HK Island HK$28,000–50,000
1BR apartment, Kowloon (TST/Mong Kok) HK$14,000–22,000
2BR apartment, Kowloon HK$20,000–38,000
1BR apartment, New Territories (Sha Tin/Tuen Mun) HK$10,000–16,000
2BR apartment, New Territories HK$14,000–22,000
Expat house with garden (Sai Kung/Clear Water Bay) HK$35,000–80,000
Transport
MTR single journey (short) HK$5.50–10.00
MTR single journey (cross-harbour) HK$12–20
MTR monthly pass (typical commuter route) HK$400–600
Octopus card (initial purchase inc. HK$100 value) HK$150
Star Ferry (TST to Central) HK$4.20 (lower deck)
Airport Express (one-way, HKIA to Central) HK$115
Red taxi (urban, flag-fall) HK$29 first 2km, then HK$1.90/0.2km
Hong Kong tram (flat fare) HK$3.00
Petrol (per litre, E10) HK$18–22
Monthly tunnel fee (Cross-Harbour Tunnel) HK$20/crossing
Health & Insurance
Public A&E (Hospital Authority) HK$180/visit
Public general outpatient clinic (GOPC) — HKID holders HK$50/visit (subsidised)
Public hospital ward fee (general ward) HK$120/day
Private GP consultation HK$300–600
Private specialist consultation HK$800–2,500
Private hospital A&E HK$500–1,500
Private health insurance (basic individual plan) HK$3,000–8,000/year
Private health insurance (comprehensive plan) HK$12,000–40,000/year
Dental check-up (private) HK$300–600
Utilities
Electricity (1BR, moderate AC use) HK$400–700
Electricity (1BR, summer with heavy AC) HK$800–1,500
Town gas (Towngas, cooking) HK$100–250
Broadband internet (500Mbit) HK$200–350
Mobile plan (unlimited data + calls) HK$100–250
Water (included in government rates, usually paid by landlord) Typically included in rent
Childcare
Local kindergarten (after voucher subsidy) HK$2,000–6,000/month
International kindergarten HK$8,000–25,000/month
ESF primary school tuition HK$10,500–13,500/month
Local primary school (EMI, government) Free
International school (full-year fee) HK$100,000–250,000+/year
HK University (UGC undergraduate) HK$42,100/year
Tutor/private lesson (per hour) HK$300–800
After-school activities per term HK$1,500–5,000
Leisure
Cinema ticket (IMAX) HK$120–180
Gym membership (local LCSD recreation centre) HK$200–400/month
Gym membership (private gym, e.g. Pure Fitness) HK$700–1,500/month
Country park hiking (free) Free
Haircut (men, local barber) HK$80–200
Haircut (women, mid-range salon) HK$300–800
Concert/show (mid-range venue) HK$300–800
Ocean Park / Disneyland (day pass) HK$380–699
Cost of Living
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