Here's some good news: New York is only the world's 22nd most expensive city, according to the consulting firm Mercer. As outrageous as it may seem to live in a city where a 500-square-foot apartment will run you a million bucks to buy (or $3,000 a month to rent), at least you don't live in Moscow! Or Tokyo. The list of the 21 even more painful places to live below.

1. Moscow, Russia

2. Tokyo, Japan

3. London, UK

4. Oslo, Norway

5. Seoul, South Korea

6. Hong Kong, China

7. Copenhagen, Denmark

8. Geneva, Switzerland

9. Zurich, Switzerland

10. Milan, Italy

11. Osaka, Japan

12. Paris, France

13. Singapore

14. Tel Aviv, Israel

15. Sydney, Australia

16. Dublin, Ireland

17. Rome, Italy

18. St. Petersburg, Russia

19. Vienna, Austria

20. Beijing, China

21. Helsinki, Finland

Mercer's 2008 Cost of Living survey highlights [Mercer, via Bloomberg]