A new survey of the cost of living for expats around the world has shown that Beijing is actually getting relatively cheaper. (Though not actually, of course, actually cheaper). The capital has slipped to the 59th most expensive place to live, down three places from 2011.

The survey compared over 400 prices in goods and services to give a comprehensive analysis  of the cost of being an expat, measuring the cost of necessities like food, drink, clothing, and discretionary expenses like private schooling, domestic help (where would we be without our ayis?) and recreation. While it might seem surprising that Beijing fell in the rankings, the yuan weakening against the dollar, declining inflation and the bursting housing bubble have probably all been factors.

Elsewhere in Greater China, Shanghai climbed six places to 42nd (tied with Los Angeles and Moscow), but Hong Kong remains the most expensive Chinese city at 22nd worldwide. The most expensive city worldwide was (and this is probably no surprise) Zurich, which displaced Tokyo, while Geneva with joint third. The relative inexpense of Chinese cities will no doubt continue make them a great attraction.