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
271	Prachin Buri, Thailand	19,910	43
272	Tak, Thailand	19,900	46
273	Si Racha, Thailand	19,444	47
274	Pathum Thani, Thailand	18,320	41
275	Ranong, Thailand	16,163	46
276	Pampanga, Philippines	15,616	33
277	Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia	15,000	68
278	Sanur, Bali, Indonesia	15,000	58
279	Jerudong, Brunei	11,000	35
280	Amed, Bali, Indonesia	10,000	47
281	Koh Chang, Thailand	8,500	50
282	Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia	5,000	83
283	Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia	5,000	87
284	Cemagi, Bali, Indonesia	4,824	60
285	Koh Phi Phi, Thailand	2,500	97
286	Pai, Thailand	2,284	44
287	Kuta, Lombok, Indonesia	2,000	38
288	Gili Air, Indonesia	1,800	42
289	Senggigi, Lombok, Indonesia	1,500	43
290	Gili Trawangan, Indonesia	1,500	49
291	Koh Tao, Thailand	1,382	55
292	Koh Lipe, Thailand	800	105

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.