Human resources company Employment Conditions Abroad (ECA) assesses the cost of living in 400 worldwide locations on the basis of the cost of a basket of everyday goods and services twice a year.
The report into the cost of living around the world has confirmed that Tokyo is still the most expensive city for foreign workers.
Tokyo, Japan 日本东京
ECA assesses the cost of living in 400 worldwide locations on the basis of the cost of a basket of everyday goods and services twice a year.
Tokyo remains the most expensive location in the world for international assignees. Although Japan is the only Asian country where the price of ECA's basket of goods has fallen, the strong yen has kept the cost of living significantly higher than in other countries.
Oslo, Norway 挪威奥斯陆
The Norwegian capital remains the most expensive location in Europe, and second most expensive globally.
Nagoya, Japan 日本名古屋
The strong yen has pushed Nagoya up one place from its 2010 ranking into third.
Stavanger, Norway 挪威斯塔万格
Stavanger moves up two places in the rankings this year to fourth place.
Yokohama, Japan 日本横滨
Slotting into fifth spot is Yokohama in Japan, which retains its position from 2010. All five of the most expensive cities are located in Japan or Norway, with six of the top ten also located in one of the two countries.
Zurich, Switzerland 瑞士苏黎世
A regular feature in 'most expensive cities' surveys, Zurich has jumped into the heart of ECA's top cities this year from tenth place in 2010. Of all the European locations surveyed, the cost of living hs increased most in Swiss locations.
Luanda, Angola 安哥拉卢旺达
The Angolan capital ranks seventh globally, down from third place in 2011. However, Africa is also home to some of the least expensive locations, including Alexandria in Egypt, and Durban in South Africa, which rank 235th and 225th on ECA's list respectively.
Geneva, Switzerland 瑞士日内瓦
Geneva has risen one place to eighth this year.
Kobe, Japan 日本神户
The sixth largest city in Japan is also the world's ninth most expensive for foreign workers.
Bern, Switzerland 瑞士伯尔尼
The strong Swiss Franc and low inflation rate have edged Bern up one place into the top ten.