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 Asia Central Asia Eastern Asia Southern Asia South-Eastern Asia Western Asia

Rank	City	Population	Living Index
61	Jiujiang, China	4,728,778	38
62	Zibo, China	4,708,400	36
63	Kaifeng, China	4,676,159	35
64	Chenzhou, China	4,667,134	36
65	Huizhou, China	4,597,002	35
66	Yangzhou, China	4,559,797	31
67	Jiangmen, China	4,448,871	33
68	Lianyungang, China	4,393,914	34
69	Zhangjiakou, China	4,345,491	37
70	Guiyang, China	4,324,561	36
71	Anqing, China	4,165,284	33
72	Liuzhou, China	4,157,934	36
73	Yichang, China	4,059,686	36
74	Urumqi, China	4,054,369	26
75	Zhuzhou, China	4,000,500	36
76	Chuzhou, China	3,987,054	34
77	Yokohama, Japan	3,777,491	71
78	Binzhou, China	3,748,500	39
79	Yulin, China	3,700,000	36
80	Lanzhou, China	3,688,400	33
81	Wuhu, China	3,644,420	37
82	Jilin, China	3,623,713	36
83	Busan, South Korea	3,586,079	75
84	Kunming, Yunnan, China	3,583,000	41
85	Jiaxing, China	3,563,700	33
86	Jiaozuo, China	3,539,860	34
87	Xiamen, China	3,531,000	39
88	Taiyuan, China	3,525,300	31
89	Hohhot, China	3,446,100	35
90	Hanzhong, China	3,416,196	33

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

Last update: February 24, 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.