@pfvspnf
I think the difference is in the size of the 1 bedroom apartment. In the second tier US City, $900 / month would get you a good sized, relatively nicely equipped 1 bedroom apartment.
In HK, it would be a very small place, with likely no separate dryer, no dishwasher, and a dorm room fridge. At 25k / month, it's either very small and really nice, or big and really old, like hot plates instead of a stove top old.
I contend if you are single, or even a couple, come to HK. It's high school for middle-aged people and lots of fun until you have kids, then it's a bit of a pain in the *ss.