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
91	Hanzhong, China	3,416,196	$715	34
92	Datong, China	3,318,057	$717	34
93	Bengbu, China	3,296,408	$672	32
94	Zhenjiang, China	3,210,418	$703	34
95	Zhongshan, China	3,209,600	$699	34
96	Huainan, China	3,033,528	$719	34
97	Qinhuangdao, China	2,987,605	$715	34
98	Heyuan, China	2,953,019	$775	38
99	Huzhou, China	2,893,542	$822	39
100	Jingmen, China	2,873,687	$741	37
101	Haikou, China	2,873,358	$817	39
102	Incheon, South Korea	2,870,545	$1,408	67
103	Yinchuan, China	2,859,074	$725	35
104	Weihai, China	2,804,800	$628	30
105	Kaohsiung, Taiwan	2,777,873	$1,134	54
106	Taichung, Taiwan	2,767,239	$1,101	53
107	Xiangtan, China	2,748,552	$714	34
108	Linyi, China	2,710,000	$593	28
109	Baotou, China	2,709,378	$774	37
110	Jinzhou, China	2,703,853	$729	35
111	Osaka, Japan	2,691,185	$1,417	68
112	Taipei, Taiwan	2,635,286	$1,329	63
113	Chaozhou, China	2,568,387	$651	31
114	Longyan, China	2,559,545	$461	22
115	Daegu, South Korea	2,528,933	$1,506	72
116	Puning, China	2,508,900	$716	34
117	Xining, China	2,333,700	$709	34
118	Nagoya, Japan	2,236,000	$1,367	66
119	Zhuhai, China	2,207,090	$783	38
120	Jiamusi, China	2,156,505	$715	34

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.