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
211	Nakhon Pathom, Thailand	74,446	32
212	Sihanoukville, Cambodia	73,036	46
213	Alabang, Philippines	71,075	34
214	Chon Buri, Thailand	70,364	38
215	Samut Sakhon, Thailand	67,515	44
216	Phitsanulok, Thailand	66,106	37
217	Tulungagung, Indonesia	65,952	33
218	Rayong, Thailand	63,565	42
219	Koh Samui, Thailand	62,110	62
220	Saraburi, Thailand	61,900	39
221	Songkhla, Thailand	61,758	41
222	Yala, Thailand	60,617	45
223	Ende, Indonesia	60,000	34
224	Trang, Thailand	59,304	51
225	Kuta, Bali, Indonesia	57,304	63
226	Vigan, Philippines	53,879	34
227	Luang Prabang, Laos	53,792	79
228	Sakon Nakhon, Thailand	53,100	44
229	Lampang, Thailand	52,124	42
230	Samut Prakan, Thailand	50,843	41
231	Ayutthaya, Thailand	50,830	38
232	El Nido, Philippines	50,494	41
233	Hua Hin, Thailand	50,169	45
234	Rawang, Malaysia	50,000	43
235	Krabi, Thailand	50,000	51
236	Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei	50,000	57
237	Maha Sarakham, Thailand	46,523	46
238	Semenyih, Malaysia	45,000	45
239	Pattani, Thailand	43,631	46
240	Bang Kruai, Thailand	43,453	43

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.