Our Methodology
Current data status
We are in the middle of replacing every price on this site with a value sourced from a real retailer, official price list, or a recognized cost-of-living dataset. Until a row is verified, it is labeled "Est." on every page and should be treated as a rough approximation only — not a price you can expect to pay. Verified rows show a "✓ Verified" badge with a link to the source we used.
How a price becomes "Verified"
A price is only marked verified once we have linked it to one of the following, recorded the source and date in our database:
- Official retailer or manufacturer pricing — e.g. a brand's own regional online store
- Recognized international price indices — e.g. the Big Mac Index, Numbeo cost-of-living data
- Official government or statistical agency data — e.g. national statistics offices, utility regulators
We do not mark something verified based on a guess, a cost-of-living multiplier, or an unsourced estimate — those stay labeled "Est." until we can confirm them.
Estimated prices — how they're calculated
Rows still labeled "Est." were generated algorithmically: we took a US base price for the product and scaled it per country using a cost-of-living or category multiplier (and a market exchange rate). This is a reasonable starting approximation for some categories, but it is frequently wrong for imported or globally-branded goods, where import duties and brand pricing strategy — not local cost of living — drive the real price. Treat every "Est." value as a placeholder, not a fact.
Currency Conversion
All prices are converted to US Dollars (USD) using market exchange rates for easy comparison. We use mid-market rates, which represent the fairest rate between two currencies. Note that the actual cost to you may differ slightly due to exchange rate fees charged by banks and payment processors.
Limitations
- The majority of prices are still unverified estimates (see the status note above)
- Verified prices may not reflect promotional discounts or sales
- Regional variations within a country are not captured (e.g., rural vs. urban)
- Currency fluctuations mean USD equivalents change daily even for verified rows
Corrections
If you spot an inaccurate price — verified or estimated — please let us know at hello@howmuchwhere.com with where you found the real price. We are actively working through the catalog and prioritize corrections.