The cost of living well in Hong Kong.

Our verdict. Hong Kong suits a family that wants the lowest top rate of any taxing city in the Atlas, 17%, with no tax on foreign income, dividends or capital gains. Household help is regulated and modest: the minimum allowable wage is HK$5,220 a month, plus HK$1,236 for food. The drawback is space. Prime homes trade at about US$3,750 per square foot, the highest of the Asian cities here, and a Clearwater Bay golf membership costs HK$6.3 million. Millionaire numbers have grown just 3% in ten years. Compared with Singapore, the school costs a little less: Hong Kong International School charges HK$272,600 for the senior grades.

1. A prime family home, rented2026£156k

   US$208,219 a year · Savills prime residential rent US$1.86 per sq ft per week x10.764 = per sqm per week, x52 weeks x200 sqm (prime rent for a 200 m² home)

   Savills Research, Spotlight: World Cities Prime Residential Index H1 2026 (tables: Prime residential capital values / rents as at June 2026), June 2026 (H1 2026 index)

2. Senior school fees, two children2026-27£52k

   HK$272,600 a year a child · Hong Kong International School, Grades 9-12 tuition 2026-27 (HK$136,300 per semester x2)

   HKIS Tuition & Fees, 2026-27 academic year

3. Membership at a leading golf club2026£3,901

   HK$40,860 a year in subscriptions · joining HK$6,300,000 · Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club individual membership HK$6,300,000 (first-hand) + HK$3,405 a month subscription x12

   Elite Membership price list (membership); Everfine Membership Services (monthly fee), Price list, 7 Jan 2026

4. A berth for a 20 m yacht2026£9,107

   HK$95,400 a year · RHKYC monthly mooring fee, Causeway Bay, 20-22 m LOA band, HK$7,950 a month x12

   Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Marine Fees, Marine Fees as of 1 August 2026

5. A full-time housekeeper or nanny2026£7,396

   HK$77,472 a year · Minimum Allowable Wage HK$5,220 a month + food allowance HK$1,236 a month, x12

   HKSAR Government press release (Labour Department), Contracts signed on or after 3 Oct 2026

6. Tasting menu for two, twice a month2026£12k

   HK$5,360 a dinner · T'ang Court (3 Michelin stars) Legendary Set Menu, HK$2,680 per person x2, food only, before 10% service charge

   The Langham, Hong Kong – T'ang Court Legendary Set Menu (PDF), Menu dated January 2026, checked October 2026

Figures are published prices, fees and surveys as dated, converted to pounds at the stated rates. They change, vary by home, school year and membership, and are a guide, not a quote. Nothing here is financial, tax or legal advice.

• London£322k+55%
• Monaco£313k+50%
• Dubai£307k+48%
• New York£255k+23%
• Miami£176k−15%
• Los Angeles£174k−17%
• Milan£171k−18%
• Paris£160k−23%
• Geneva£152k−27%
• Singapore£147k−29%
• Abu Dhabi£145k−30%
• Amsterdam£120k−42%
• Bangkok£112k−46%
• Riyadh£108k−48%
• Munich£104k−50%
• Manchester£95k−54%
• Lisbon£93k−55%
• Doha£89k−57%
• Muscat£80k−62%
• Marbella£78k−63%
• Phuket£70k−66%
• Jeddah£68k−67%
• Kuala Lumpur£59k−72%
• Manama£36k−83%
• Kuwait City£25k−88%

Pounds at ECB reference rates (Gulf currencies at their dollar pegs) rates of 2026-10-20.