Many of the referral keywords that bring an inquiring fellow to my blog contain the phrase “cost of living in hong kong”. At this point, for all folks who need to find an idea of how much does it really cost to live in this part of the world.

I am going to take what typical expenses cost like if I were to live in Hong Kong at this season. Not so extravagant and not so “back packery”. Of course, this is just an estimate and must not be used to argue with any travel agent, property agent, immigration officer and human resources executive.

Shelter
You will need to find a property agent in an area you intend to stay. For example, if you want to stay in the Eastern District (Quarry Bay, Sai Wan Ho or Shaukeiwan) you will have to go to the place and visit a local shop of a property agent. There are many agents scattered everywhere in Hong Kong that it’s not so difficult to find one.

As mandated by law, property agents drafts the tenancy agreement between you and the owner of the flat. Monthly rentals can vary from HK$3,000 to HK$500,000 per month but having a HK$7,500 to HK$9,000 can be good enough with two bedrooms, a bathroom, living and dining room plus facilities such as 24-hour security and garbage disposal.

So, for the purpose of calculation, we settle at a flat costing us HK$8,000 per month. Beware, rates have gone up in 2006!

Food
Cooking at home is a healthier (if cooking the right food) option and saves you money compared to eating out especially if you have a family. Typical cost of going out is at HK$15 for breakfast and about HK$25 for lunch or HK$30 for dinner. Having to eat out on weekends and spending about HK$40 daily on weekdays will bring us to roughly HK$2,800 per month including extras like beer, tea, bread or yum cha.

Utilities
This can include electricity, water, cable charges, gas (heater or stove), broadband connection, land line and mobile phone.

Electricity: HK$450 monthly on winter and HK$650 on summer
Water: HK$100 per quarter
Cable TV: HK$175 per month
Gas: HK$200 per month
Broadband TV: HK$150 per month
Land line: HK$330 per quarter
Mobile phone: HK$210 per month

Entertainment
Watching movies in Hong Kong can be a costly thing to do. Morning shows can start at HK$30 while afternoons can run up to HK$60 to HK$75. Maybe we decide to watch once a month.

Squash courts cost HK$27 to book for half an hour and ping pong halls run by the Leisure Department cost HK$25 per hour.

Newspapers cost HK$6 to HK$7 per copy. Magazines around HK10 to HK35.

We play squash twice a month: HK$108
We watch movies twice a month: HK$120
Newspapers/magazines consumption: HK$150

Clothing
A 7-lb of laundry can cost up to HK$25 a week in a shop but you can always use the in-house washing machine if you have.

Laundry in a month: HK$100
Clothing in a month: HK$500

Transportation
A day won’t pass without me taking the bus, taxi, tram or subway. From Quarry Bay to Central costs HK$5.60. Buses can cost HK$3.90 to HK$20.80 depending on distance. Trams and Star Ferry rides are the cheapest.

Transportation cost: HK$500

Haircut
Some salons charge HK$400 for a new hairstyle. Filipino shops are cheaper at about HK$60.

Haircut cost: HK$60 + HK$20 tip

If we add them up, it costs HK$13,786 a month for a typical me to live in Hong Kong. With that amount practically you have to be employed all the time. The pressure is on when you lose a job. Worse, suicidal tendency problems rise. It’s tough to live here. But the pleasure of living here is on.