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Most and Least Affordable Cities by City Size

Explore how affordability varies by city size around the world. This ranking compares the most and least affordable cities within small, mid-sized, and large population categories, helping you understand how urban scale impacts cost of living. Use the interactive table and map to filter cities by size group and compare Cost of Living Index values. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly small city or evaluating affordability in major global hubs, this page provides a clear, data-driven comparison.

Lowest
Highest
Region Worldwide Europe Asia North America South America Africa Oceania Insular Oceania Antarctica
Rank
City
Population
Living Index
211
2,390,120
32
212
2,388,000
38
213
2,334,871
38
214
2,333,700
36
215
2,330,000
19
216
2,315,560
42
217
2,304,580
130
218
2,304,580
127
219
2,300,500
46
220
2,299,026
37
221
2,287,896
117
222
2,258,718
49
223
2,236,000
69
224
2,232,000
26
225
2,185,304
40
226
2,164,134
48
227
2,161,303
58
228
2,156,505
36
229
2,150,000
37
230
2,147,763
56
231
2,143,020
51
232
2,141,993
48
233
2,133,111
132
234
2,132,100
35
235
2,127,000
25
236
2,125,000
36
237
2,122,661
35
238
2,105,000
34
239
2,098,231
22
240
2,097,610
32
Page 8 of 17 • 500 entries total Show more Page 1

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: February 24, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How is affordability determined in this ranking?
Affordability is based on the Cost of Living Index, which compares average expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and services. Cities are grouped by population size to allow fair comparisons within similar urban categories.
Why does city size affect cost of living?
Larger cities often have higher housing demand, stronger job markets, and greater infrastructure costs, which can increase living expenses. Smaller cities may offer lower housing and daily costs but sometimes fewer economic opportunities.
Should I choose a smaller city to save money?
Not always. While small cities are often more affordable, factors like salary levels, job availability, quality of life, and services should also be considered. This ranking helps you compare affordability within each city size category.
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