Every year, investment consulting firm Mercer releases its list of the most expensive cities in the world. Last year, Luanda (the capital city of Angola) held the top spot, but this year sees Tokyo taking over as the most expensive city in the world.

In Tokyo, a cup of coffee averages $8,15 and the monthly rent on a luxury two-bed, unfurnished flat runs to $4 766. Sho.

Here is the full list:

10. Nagoya, Japan (last year #11)
9. Hong Kong (last year #9)
8. N’Djamena, Chad (last year #3)
6. Singapore (last year #8)
6. Zurich, Switzerland (last year #7)
5. Geneva, Switzerland (last year #5)
4. Moskow, Russia (last year #4)
3. Osaka, Japan (last year #6)
2. Luanda, Angola (last year #1)
1. Tokyo, Japan (last year #2)

The analysis uses New York as a base city and measures the comparative prices of more than 200 items in each location, such as transport, clothing, food, household goods and entertainment. Housing costs, also included, are critical in the ranking as they are often the biggest expense for expatriates.

The cost of living infographic. Click picture for full size.

Both New York and London are absent from the list, ranking 33 and 25 respectively.

[Source: Guardian]