Two Japanese cities are still listed as costliest.

A global survey compiled twice annually by Business International, a Geneva-based consulting firm, said a weak dollar further boosted living costs for expatriates in Japan, with Tokyo costs up to twice the level of New York. For the second year in a row, Tokyo topped the list; Osaka was second and Brazzaville, capital of Congo, was third. The Venezuelan capital, Caracas, remained the cheapest city for expatriates with an index figure of 34. Next cheapest were Mexico City and Beijing. Among U.S. cities, Los Angeles and Chicago were tied in 36th place and New York was listed in 34th.