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
241	Chaiyaphum, Thailand	42,436	44
242	Si Sa Ket, Thailand	42,193	46
243	Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia	41,700	29
244	Bacong, Philippines	41,207	34
245	Mambajao, Philippines	41,094	31
246	Surin, Thailand	40,104	46
247	Canggu, Bali, Indonesia	40,000	85
248	Panglao, Philippines	39,839	41
249	Nilai, Malaysia	38,612	44
250	Bac Kan, Vietnam	38,510	36
251	Ratchaburi, Thailand	38,208	42
252	Kalasin, Thailand	37,653	46
253	Puerto Galera, Philippines	36,606	45
254	Nong Khai, Thailand	35,000	38
255	Roi Et, Thailand	34,229	32
256	Koh Lanta, Thailand	32,000	49
257	Cha-am, Thailand	31,354	47
258	Kuala Belait, Brunei	31,178	83
259	Seria, Brunei	30,097	28
260	Thung Song, Thailand	29,232	46
261	Buriram, Thailand	28,333	46
262	Chanthaburi, Thailand	27,602	44
263	Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand	26,926	47
264	Lopburi, Thailand	26,500	40
265	Mui Ne, Vietnam	25,000	37
266	Magallanes, Cavite, Philippines	23,851	39
267	Phetchabun, Thailand	23,823	45
268	Sa Pa, Vietnam	22,882	37
269	Loei, Thailand	22,677	46
270	Kuala Lipis, Malaysia	20,000	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.