Move to Hong Kong
Everything a future Hong Kong settler needs to know. Residency, money, safety — the stuff the tourism board won't put on a poster.
Hong Kong at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Dependants of employment visa holders receive unrestricted work authorisation. No separate permit needed.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Hong Kong
One city, no paradox of choice
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$2,225
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 1 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$75,196
GDP per capita
2.8%
Unemployment
1.7%
Inflation
High inequality — gated communities exist for a reason.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
5.2/10
⚠️ Hybrid regime
Is Hong Kong safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Boringly safe. Your biggest danger is cycling accidents.
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Cantonese
Primary language
Moderate
English proficiency (#39 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning Cantonese isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to Hong Kong — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Hong Kong?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Hong Kong ranks #1 in Hong Kong with a score of 56/100. City-centre rent starts around $2225/month.
How much does it cost to live in Hong Kong?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $2225 to $2225/month across our 1 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $2,787.
Is Hong Kong a democracy?▾
Hong Kong scores 5.2/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Hybrid regime."
Is Hong Kong safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Hong Kong is 0.4 per 100,000 people. That's quite safe by global standards.