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	Price per month for a nomad	Living Index
61	Jiujiang, China	4,728,778	$760	37
62	Zibo, China	4,708,400	$729	36
63	Kaifeng, China	4,676,159	$501	24
64	Chenzhou, China	4,667,134	$751	36
65	Huizhou, China	4,597,002	$768	37
66	Yangzhou, China	4,559,797	$683	33
67	Jiangmen, China	4,448,871	$512	25
68	Lianyungang, China	4,393,914	$765	36
69	Zhangjiakou, China	4,345,491	$784	37
70	Guiyang, China	4,324,561	$713	34
71	Anqing, China	4,165,284	$660	31
72	Liuzhou, China	4,157,934	$773	37
73	Yichang, China	4,059,686	$710	34
74	Urumqi, China	4,054,369	$609	29
75	New Taipei City, Taiwan	4,004,367	$1,166	56
76	Zhuzhou, China	4,000,500	$713	34
77	Chuzhou, China	3,987,054	$712	34
78	Yokohama, Japan	3,777,491	$1,361	65
79	Binzhou, China	3,748,500	$782	38
80	Yulin, China	3,700,000	$736	35
81	Lanzhou, China	3,688,400	$714	34
82	Wuhu, China	3,644,420	$690	33
83	Jilin, China	3,623,713	$751	37
84	Busan, South Korea	3,586,079	$1,798	87
85	Kunming, Yunnan, China	3,583,000	$775	37
86	Jiaxing, China	3,563,700	$636	30
87	Jiaozuo, China	3,539,860	$672	32
88	Xiamen, China	3,531,000	$837	40
89	Taiyuan, China	3,525,300	$593	28
90	Hohhot, China	3,446,100	$761	36

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.