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 Asia Central Asia Eastern Asia Southern Asia South-Eastern Asia Western Asia
Rank
City
Population
Living Index
151
2,703,853
33
152
2,691,185
61
153
2,635,286
62
154
2,592,439
17
155
2,568,387
29
156
2,559,545
21
157
2,528,933
69
158
2,526,000
17
159
2,508,900
33
160
2,405,700
26
161
2,390,120
29
162
2,334,871
30
163
2,333,700
33
164
2,330,000
16
165
2,300,500
47
166
2,258,718
43
167
2,236,000
63
168
2,232,000
22
169
2,185,304
30
170
2,164,134
33
171
2,161,303
41
172
2,156,505
33
173
2,150,000
43
174
2,147,763
51
175
2,143,020
40
176
2,132,100
31
177
2,125,000
31
178
2,122,661
32
179
2,105,000
32
180
2,098,231
23
Page 6 of 17 • 500 entries total Show more Page 1

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.
Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.
Cost of Living Index Most Popular Cities Affordable Cities by Size Current Prices by City Current Prices by Country