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.

Region Worldwide Europe Asia North America South America Africa Oceania
Currency
Rank
City
Population
Price
per month for a nomad
Living Index
211
2,486,723
$1,692
80
212
2,450,212
$1,347
65
213
2,428,708
$842
40
214
2,417,678
$1,007
48
215
2,405,700
$532
26
216
2,405,464
$3,866
185
217
2,396,800
$1,385
66
218
2,390,120
$624
30
219
2,388,000
$1,074
52
220
2,334,871
$659
31
221
2,333,700
$719
34
222
2,330,000
$358
17
223
2,315,560
$953
45
224
2,304,580
$2,759
131
225
2,304,580
$2,650
127
226
2,300,500
$1,040
49
227
2,299,026
$819
39
228
2,287,896
$2,644
127
229
2,258,718
$945
45
230
2,236,000
$1,357
65
231
2,232,000
$476
23
232
2,207,090
$787
38
233
2,185,304
$611
29
234
2,164,134
$697
34
235
2,161,303
$810
39
236
2,156,505
$718
34
237
2,150,000
$662
32
238
2,147,763
$1,223
58
239
2,143,020
$879
42
240
2,141,993
$862
41
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: November 3, 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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