Ask HN: Cost of living across the world (Ramen PPP Index for hackers)

Post by jacquesm » Mon, Oct 11, 2010, 4:03 PM UTC

Confusion wrote: post #91

jacquesm wrote: post #28

Europe, Netherlands (adjusted for one person): - rent/mortgage 500 (comes to about the same) - food 120 - mandatory health insurance 100 - internet 20M 75 (yep, that's splurging) - cheap car 250 (owning a car is expensive here) - energy bill 200 - various other insurances 100 - phone 50

That adds up to about 1500 EUR and the individual numbers sounds reasonable, but I know I can get by on less. I think the main differences are: - mortgage: 350 for an 85 m^2 apartment near The Hague, after tax returns (no maintenance included) - health insurance: 80 for the minimum package - internet: 30 - energy: 100 - car: 150 (bare minimum)

Post by rjurney » Mon, Oct 11, 2010, 4:23 PM UTC

ido wrote: post #108

niyazpk wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The place I stay is relatively small and I would say that the rent is just right. My electricity bill comes around 300-400 INR ($7-9). I don't have an AC - you don't need it in Bangalore. I have a laptop and an extra monitor. My Airtel DigitalTV is connected to the monitor so I don't have a separate TV.

I don't have an AC - you don't need it in Bangalore. As a westerner that spent about 2 months in India I have to say - although Bangalore's weather is mild in Indian terms, >30c weather (normal for high summer in Bangalore) is well within "requires AC" limits for Europeans :) Also, if you don't absolutely require high speed internet or being around other high-tech folks there are much cheaper (and IMO nicer) places i…

Post by mhill » Mon, Oct 11, 2010, 4:43 PM UTC

jzycrzy wrote: post #103

trevelyan wrote: post #7

Beijing, China $500 to $1000 in rent, plus equivalent amount food and entertainment for a non-stressful lifestyle. You can pare down costs to perhaps $800/month by getting a room in a shared apartment and eating inexpensively. Add on $2500 annual expenses for visa, entry-exit expenses, etc. Hiring programmers costs between $500 and $1500 per month depending on skills and experience. Without a legitimate Chinese busin…

Beijing, China $800 in rent (single, just me footing that bill). Food expenses are between $500 and $1000 a month. Could easily spend less, but it makes being social difficult. I'm working full-time with a RMB salary and working on side projects (a bit slow at the moment). Local programmers can be cheap, $500-$1500/month. If you want to sell to the local Chinese market online you may need an Internet Content Provider…

Post by semanticist » Mon, Oct 11, 2010, 4:49 PM UTC

kingofspain wrote: post #13

Manchester UK Expenses: Rent: £200-£500pm for a flat/small house. Lower end can be in somewhat interesting areas though. Bills: Utilities usually £40ish. Council tax £80-120 pm. Internet/Phone: Bundled from £10-£20pm. Pay a little bit more and you can throw in cable too. Bus: £10 unlimited weekly travel Train: Depends on how far you go, obv but city to outer suburbs never more than £4-5 return. Adv returns to London…

Post by thomas11 » Mon, Oct 11, 2010, 4:54 PM UTC

loewenskind wrote: post #127

thomas11 wrote: post #96

A data point for the higher end: Geneva (also, Zurich), CH. Currency is CHF which is almost 1:1 with USD. Rent 1500-2000 (one person apartment!) Food 500 (eating at home, eating out is minimum 30/meal) Internet + smart phone w/ 3G: 150 Net salary after tax, health insurance, pension: 60,000 - 120,000 for a programmer.

If you go with Orange on the phone you can get 35CFS/mo for phone + 3G. They have a deal going for 10CFS off per month of all plans. The high end for a programmer is higher if you consult, and there is no real downside to contracting in Switzerland.