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>This list does not account for cost-of-living savings accrued to local citizens through government-subsidized housing, health care, and education, differences in taxation, and many other factors irrelevant to expatriates. Cost of living may be much higher for expatriates than for local residents in a developing country, especially if expatriates expect a standard of living similar to a developed country.
You have to consider how this cost is calcualted. It includes such things as hotel room, taxi rides, dining in fancy restaraunts, tips, etc atc all other expenses that local can avoid or make cheaper. As a local, you can easily survive on $500 a month salary in Moscow, as a foreigner it wont be enough to get from airport to your hotel.