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 Africa Northern Africa Western Africa Middle Africa Eastern Africa Southern Africa

Rank	City	Population	Price per month for a nomad	Living Index
121	Batna, Algeria	290,645	$531	26
122	Djelfa, Algeria	289,226	$478	23
123	Setif, Algeria	288,461	$409	20
124	Zagazig, Egypt	285,097	$359	17
125	Ilesha, Nigeria	277,904	$481	23
126	Ondo, Nigeria	275,000	$361	17
127	Krugersdorp, South Africa	275,000	$1,249	60
128	East London, South Africa	267,007	$999	48
129	Damietta, Egypt	267,000	$326	16
130	Boksburg, South Africa	260,000	$1,241	59
131	Annaba, Algeria	257,359	$614	29
132	Minya, Egypt	247,000	$362	17
133	Antsirabe, Madagascar	246,354	$453	22
134	Aswan, Egypt	241,261	$412	20
135	El Jadida, Morocco	237,464	$621	30
136	Centurion, South Africa	236,580	$1,322	63
137	Qena, Egypt	235,362	$436	21
138	Gaborone, Botswana	231,626	$843	41
139	Adama, Ethiopia	228,623	$1,027	49
140	Damanhur, Egypt	227,943	$307	15
141	Maseru, Lesotho	227,880	$676	32
142	Kimberley, South Africa	225,160	$1,120	54
143	Sandton, South Africa	222,415	$1,253	60
144	Sousse, Tunisia	221,530	$707	34
145	Sagamu, Nigeria	214,558	$483	23
146	Sidi Bel Abbes, Algeria	212,935	$555	27
147	Biskra, Algeria	205,608	$530	25
148	Tiaret, Algeria	201,263	$428	21
149	Al `arish, Egypt	199,243	$417	20
150	Tebessa, Algeria	196,537	$423	20

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

Last update: November 10, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.