Khartoum the most expensive city for expats: Survey 

(MENAFN) Cost of living for expats living in the Middle East has dropped, mainly because of slower price increases on goods and services, a new survey by consulting firm Mercer found in its Worldwide Cost Of Living Survey 2012.

Jeddah continued to rank the least expensive city for expats among the Arabic cities, placed at 186 position globally.

Khartoum, Sudan ranked the most expensive Arabic city, standing at 26 position globally, followed by Beirut which advanced eight places to 67 globally and Abu Dahbi which dropped nine places to 76.

The survey covers 214 cities across five continents and compares the cost of over 200 items in each location, including transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.

The cost of housing is also included and, as it is often the biggest expense for expatriates, it plays an important part in determining where cities are ranked.

Recent world events, including economic and political upheavals, have changed the rankings for many regions through currency fluctuations, inflation, and volatility in accommodation prices.

Globally, Tokyo was ranked the most expensive city for expatriates, followed by Luanda, Angola and Osaka, Karachi was ranked the world's less expensive city for expats, dropping seven places to 214.