The Benefits of Appropriate Accommodations on Assignment

The Benefits of Appropriate Accommodations on Assignment

While housing is one of the most costly and visible components of an expatriate compensation package, no other single component has such a direct impact on the well-being of a relocating family.

The benefits of appropriate accommodations on assignment

There are many important factors to consider when making housing decisions for your relocating personnel. The benefits of appropriate accommodations on assignment include:

  • Enhanced Recruitment and Retention

  • Greater Assignee and Family Satisfaction

  • Quicker Settling-In Process

Expatriate Housing: Most and Least Expensive Locations

Expatriate Housing: Most and Least Expensive Locations

What do you get for your money when relocating your best and brightest?

Top Ten Most Expensive Cities >Expensive Cities Medium Cost Cities Lower Cost Cities Top Ten Least expensive Cities Next
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  • AIRINC surveys housing in over 400 locations around the globe each year. We compiled these lists using data collected over the past year to provide a glimpse into international cost differences.

    Top 10 Most Expensive Cities for Expatriate Rental Housing

    Surveyed by AIRINC in the last year

    1. Luanda, Angola
    2. Hong Kong
    3. Moscow, Russia
    4. Manhattan, NY, U.S.A.
    5. Hamilton, Bermuda
    6. London, U.K.
    7. Geneva, Switzerland
    8. Shanghai, China
    9. Tokyo, Japan
    10. Yangon, Myanmar
  • Banjul, Gambia, where USD 1,250 per month will get you a newly constructed 5-bedroom house with a garden, sea views, and staff quarters, was the least expensive city surveyed by AIRINC.

    Top 10 Least Expensive Cities for Expatriate Rental Housing

    Surveyed by AIRINC in the last year

    1. Banjul, Gambia
    2. Mbabane, Swaziland
    3. Port Dickson, Malaysia
    4. Miri, Malaysia
    5. Lodz, Poland
    6. Gaborone, Botswana
    7. Nenagh, Ireland
    8. Brno, Czech Republic
    9. Grenoble, France
    10. Montpellier, France
One Budget Does Not Fit All

One Budget Does Not Fit All

One might think that $4500 would rent a large and luxurious house just about anywhere, but rental markets around the world vary a great deal. In Quito, Ecuador, $4500 rents a very large house with an indoor swimming pool, while in San Francisco, the same budget will only be enough for a 2 bedroom apartment.

What do you get for a budget of USD 4,500 per month around the world?

Tokyo, Japan - Roppongi

Tokyo, Japan - Roppongi
Unit Description Type # Bedrooms Size
Updated apartment, high-rise building Apartment 1 950 ft2

Geneva, Switzerland - Old Town

Geneva, Switzerland - Old Town
Unit Description Type # Bedrooms Size
Older apartment, historic building Apartment 2 1050 ft2

San Francisco, California - Pacific Heights

San Francisco, California - Pacific Heights
Unit Description Type # Bedrooms Size
Updated apartment, low-rise building Apartment 2 1200 ft2

Chicago, Illinois - Wilmette

Chicago, Illinois - Wilmette
Unit Description Type # Bedrooms Size
Older house, large yard, not near lake House 4 2500 ft2

Cape Town, South Africa - Camp's Bay

Cape Town, South Africa - Camp's Bay
Unit Description Type # Bedrooms Size
Modern house, swimming pool, ocean views House 4 3000 ft2

Atlanta, Georgia - Dunwoody

Atlanta, Georgia - Dunwoody
Unit Description Type # Bedrooms Size
New construction house, lakeside, gourmet kitchen House 5 4000 ft2

Quito, Ecuador - Cumbaya

Quito, Ecuador - Cumbaya
Unit Description Type # Bedrooms Size
Modern house, large garden, indoor swimming pool House 5 6000 ft2
What About Utilities?

What About Utilities?

Utilities are another major consideration when it comes to host housing. AIRINC monitors several factors that affect the cost of utilities for expatriates including: Prices, Climate, Unit Type, and Expatriate Usage Patterns.

The cost of electricity can vary widely depending on taxes, subsidies, and how the electricity is produced. For example, in oil-rich Kuwait , where electricity costs are heavily subsidized by the government, 1,000 kilowatt hours of residential electricity use costs USD 7. In St. Thomas, 1,000 kilowatt hours cost USD 397—more than 50 times the Kuwait price.

Price per kWh for 1000 kWh usage in one month (USD)

Contact AIRINC

Contact AIRINC

Housing is a critical element in any expatriate package, since appropriate housing is important to the well-being of a relocating family and therefore to the success of an assignment. Housing is also one of the most costly and visible components of an expatriate compensation package.

At AIRINC we help companies manage their international housing programs by setting consistent and fair housing budgets for assignees based on our own research and in-depth understanding of rental markets in hundreds of cities around the globe. Our unique methodology allows us to equate housing standards across diverse locations, ensuring that your housing program is equitable and cost-effective. We facilitate mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and limit costly exceptions.

Please complete the form to request a free consultation.

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