The 10 most expensive cities on the planet

For more than thirty years, The Economist has produced the Worldwide Cost of Living survey. New York is taken as the base city and more than 400 individual prices are compared across 160 products and services.

Food, drink, clothing, rent, transport, bills, schools, and entertainment are all looked at as part of the survey, which is intended to assist human resources and finance managers with calculating compensation packages for expatriates and business travellers.

Click through to see the most expensive places to live on the planet in 2013.

1. Tokyo, Japan

Once again, the Japanese capital is the most expensive place to live on the planet.

An average bottle of table wine costs US$15.95 (£10.30).

2. Osaka, Japan

One of the largest cities in Japan and a commerical hub, Osaka is second on the list.

An average bottle of table wine costs $17.55.

3. Sydney, Australia

Third is Australia's biggest city.

An average bottle of table wine costs $25.38.

4. Oslo, Norway

Norway's capital, supposedly founded at the start of the last millenium, is fourth.

An average bottle of table wine costs $17.58.

5. Melbourne, Australia

Fifth is Melborne, the location of England's 2010 Ashes victory.

An average bottle of table wine costs $25.03.

6. Singapore, The Republic of Singapore

Asian city-state and trade centre Singapore is sixth on the list.

An average bottle of table wine costs $25.65

7. Zurich, Switzerland

Sitting just north of the Alps, the Swiss financial hub is seventh.

An average bottle of table wine costs $16.74.

8. Paris, France

The French capital is eighth.

An average bottle of table wine costs $9.45.

9. Caracas, Venezuela

Skewed by fixed exchange rates, Caracas comes in at ninth.

An average bottle of table wine costs $18.14.

10. Geneva, Switzerland

Tenth is Switzerland's lakeside second city.

An average bottle of table wine costs $8.19.

Now see the 10 cheapest cities on the planet.