Tuesday 1 September 2009

How long do you have to work to afford an iPod nano?



An average wage-earner in Zurich and New York can buy a nano from an Apple store after nine hours of work. At the other end of the spectrum are workers in Mumbai, who need to work 20 nine-hour days – roughly the equivalent of a month’s salary – to purchase a nano. For us mid-range mortals in the UK (or London to be precise) it will take the average worker 11 hours. If you need a Big Mac, and need to earn it fast, then Chicago, Tokyo and Toronto are the places to work, and you can start licking your lips after a mere 12 minutes. But pity the worker in Nairobi who will need to work 158 minutes to get his teeth into his burger. These eye-opening facts are all part of the 2009 UBS Prices and Earnings survey which looks at which are the most expensive cities to live in, where you're likely to get paid the highest salary, and where your money will go the furthest. When it comes to choosing where to base yourself for the highest pay, a nasty surprise is in store for those living in London. Three years ago the British capital was in the No. 2 spot, but now it has slid 19 places, to 21. The reason? The falling pound has made London employees around 25% cheaper for multinational companies than they were three years ago. So choose where you live and work wisely. And look after your iPod in Mumbai!

UBS Prices and Earnings Survey 2009

  • According to the UBS report, which are the most expensive cities to live in?
  • Where are the cities whose workers take home the highest pay?
  • How do salaries compare between Western and Eastern Europe?
  • Once tax and social security deductions have been made, where are the cities with the greatest purchasing power?

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