New tool to help calculate your cost-of-living abroad Tokyo was found to be the most expensive in terms of cost of living, with Luanda, Zurich, Osaka Kobe and Oslo making up the rest of the top five, respectively. ECA International rank cities twice a year based on the cost of a basket of day-to-day goods and services. The basket includes groceries such as meat, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables; drink and tobacco; clothing; electrical goods and meals out. A closer look at each city is also available on the Lloyds TSB International cost of living tool, using information from Numbeo and Expatistan.com, with prices correct as of September 2011. For example, in Tokyo you will find that theatre tickets cost more than twice as much as in London, with two best-seat tickets for popular shows setting you back the equivalent of £164. Statistics also show that a kilo of apples costs over £5.50 in Tokyo, more than three times as much as in London. Sam Instone of AES International recommended also getting advice on other areas of finance before considering an overseas move. "The tax environment, validity of your insurances, your local or international banking and investment arrangements are all important considerations when moving overseas," Mr Instone said. However, it is important that these are organised around your personal priorities and don't become the driving factors in making relocation decisions.