Economist Intelligence Unit

The Worldwide Cost of Living survey enables human resources line managers and expatriate executives to compare the cost of living in 140 cities in 93 countries and calculate fair compensation policies for relocating employees.
The survey gathers detailed information on the cost of more than 160 items--from food, toiletries and clothing to domestic help, transport and utility bills--in every city. More than 50,000 individual prices are collected in each survey round, which take place in March and September, and surveys are updated each June and December. A cost-of-living index is calculated from the price data to express the difference in the cost of living between any two cities.
Companies can then apply this index to an executive's spendable income to reach a fair cost of living allowance. The purpose of a cost of living allowance is to reimburse employees for excess living costs resulting from a foreign assignment. Payment is based on the assumption that an expatriate has a right to live at the assignment site in the same manner and with the same kind of goods and services he would find at home. A salary calculator on the site enables you to make these calculations within seconds.
The survey also contains price information for other cost categories, helping you create separate allowances to cover housing costs, school fees and business trips. In addition, background information is provided on each city's housing market and on local disposable income levels.
(sk) 円安になれば、Cost of Living は下がる（つまりランキングが下がる）。グローバルな会社や組織の日本駐在の人たちのドル・ベースでの（名目上の）給料は下がるけれど、円ベースでの（実際に円でもらう）給料は変わらない。だから、うまみはなくなるが、生活は苦しくならない。