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	42
272	Tak, Thailand	19,900	43
273	Si Racha, Thailand	19,444	47
274	Pathum Thani, Thailand	18,320	36
275	Ranong, Thailand	16,163	47
276	Pampanga, Philippines	15,616	32
277	Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia	15,000	61
278	Sanur, Bali, Indonesia	15,000	51
279	Jerudong, Brunei	11,000	35
280	Amed, Bali, Indonesia	10,000	41
281	Koh Chang, Thailand	8,500	45
282	Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia	5,000	78
283	Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia	5,000	74
284	Cemagi, Bali, Indonesia	4,824	53
285	Koh Phi Phi, Thailand	2,500	92
286	Pai, Thailand	2,284	41
287	Kuta, Lombok, Indonesia	2,000	33
288	Gili Air, Indonesia	1,800	38
289	Senggigi, Lombok, Indonesia	1,500	38
290	Gili Trawangan, Indonesia	1,500	44
291	Koh Tao, Thailand	1,382	50
292	Koh Lipe, Thailand	800	100

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

Last update: August 25, 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.