Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Cost of Living in Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Hong Kong costs approximately $2,580 per month for one person including rent. That is 59% above the $1,620 global median across the 340 cities in the Voyica Cost of Living Index 2026. Against its own region, where the median is $891, Hong Kong is on the more expensive side for Asia. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2,228 per month, or $1,682 outside the centre. Day to day, an inexpensive restaurant meal runs about $7.68 and a monthly transit pass $70. For anyone weighing a longer stay, median internet speed is 345 Mbps and Hong Kong scores 82/100 on safety (very safe). Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighbourhood, and exchange rates; figures come from crowd-sourced price data last refreshed June 2026. See the full Cost of Living Index →

Hong Kong is a city in Hong Kong, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,580 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2,228 per month, or $1,682 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 345 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Hong Kong scores 82/100 — very safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 87°F and winter highs around 64°F, with roughly 161 sunny days a year.

Top for RunningTop for Rooftop BarTop for Art SceneTop for ShoppingTop for Boat TourTop for Night MarketFamily friendlySafe tap waterMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$2,580≈ $86/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$2,228
Internet345 Mbps
Safety82/100
Avg Temp76°F

Hong Kong Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$7.68
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$66.58
McDonald's Combo Meal$6.40
Cappuccino$5.03
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$6.40
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.08

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$3.04
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.10
Eggs (12)$3.39
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.53
Apples (1 lb)$1.71
Bananas (1 lb)$1.08
Tomatoes (1 lb)$1.40
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.09
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.87
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$16.01
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$13.19

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.54
Monthly Transit Pass$70.42
Taxi Start$3.71
Taxi (1 Mile)$2.16
Gasoline (1 Liter)$3.26
VW Golf (New)$38,412.29

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$222.55
Mobile Phone Plan$14.07
Broadband Internet$18.84

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$77.74
Cinema Ticket$12.80
Preschool (Monthly)$1,018.71
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$22,671.31

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$71.70
Nike Running Shoes$81.71

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$2,227.91
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$1,681.99
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$4,942.38
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$3,270.17
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$2,374.92
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$1,503.76

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$3,280.16
Mortgage Interest Rate3.78%

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Hong Kong

Internet345 Mbps
Safety82/100
Healthcare67/100
Public Transit92/100
Walkability88/100
Nightlife73/100
Food Scene92/100
Fine Dining88/100
Coffee Culture78/100
Air Quality69/100
Green Spaces55/100
Culture72/100
Beaches40/100
Hiking55/100
Surfing10/100
Coworking Spaces75
US Visa-Free90 days

How Hong Kong Ranks Among 340 Cities

Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Hong Kong ranks in the top 1% for public transit, but costs more than 85% of them.

MetricHong KongWorld rankRank in Asia
Monthly cost$2,580#291 of 340#64 of 65
Safety82/100#35 of 340#11 of 65
Healthcare67/100#179 of 340#29 of 65
Internet speed345 Mbps#11 of 340#2 of 65
Walkability88/100#5 of 340#1 of 65
Public transit92/100#2 of 340#2 of 65
Food scene92/100#15 of 340#6 of 65
Air quality69/100#280 of 340#38 of 65

Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.

Cheaper Alternatives to Hong Kong

Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Hong Kong.

Neighborhoods in Hong Kong

Central · Wan Chai · Sheung Wan · Tsim Sha Tsui

Communities & Expat Groups

Hong Kong Digital Nomads

Hong Kong FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Hong Kong?

A single person should budget around $2,580 per month in Hong Kong, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Hong Kong?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Hong Kong averages $2,228 per month, dropping to about $1,682 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $4,942.

Is Hong Kong safe?

Hong Kong scores 82/100 on safety, which is very safe. Tourist safety is rated 85/100.

How fast is the internet in Hong Kong?

Median download speeds in Hong Kong are around 345 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 75 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Hong Kong offer a digital nomad visa?

Hong Kong does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 90 days visa-free.

What is the weather like in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong sees summer highs around 87°F and winter highs near 64°F, with about 161 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 111 days.

Hong Kong in our travel guides

Visa Requirements for Hong Kong

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Hong Kong and how to apply.