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
Rank
City
Population
Living Index
211
2,390,120
29
212
2,388,000
51
213
2,334,871
30
214
2,333,700
33
215
2,330,000
16
216
2,315,560
43
217
2,304,580
124
218
2,304,580
125
219
2,300,500
47
220
2,299,026
38
221
2,287,896
123
222
2,258,718
43
223
2,236,000
63
224
2,232,000
22
225
2,185,304
30
226
2,164,134
33
227
2,161,303
41
228
2,156,505
33
229
2,150,000
43
230
2,147,763
51
231
2,143,020
40
232
2,141,993
40
233
2,133,111
125
234
2,132,100
31
235
2,127,000
25
236
2,125,000
31
237
2,122,661
32
238
2,105,000
32
239
2,098,231
23
240
2,097,610
28
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: August 25, 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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