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
| Rank | City | Population | Living Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21,741,000 | | |
| 2 | 16,787,941 | | |
| 3 | 14,910,352 | | |
| 4 | 12,442,373 | | |
| 5 | 11,126,285 | | |
| 6 | 8,000,000 | | |
| 7 | 6,936,534 | | |
| 8 | 6,809,970 | | |
| 9 | 6,352,254 | | |
| 10 | 5,959,798 | | |
| 11 | 4,681,087 | | |
| 12 | 4,588,455 | | |
| 13 | 4,486,679 | | |
| 14 | 3,289,000 | | |
| 15 | 3,272,335 | | |
| 16 | 3,203,846 | | |
| 17 | 3,115,431 | | |
| 18 | 3,100,000 | | |
| 19 | 3,073,400 | | |
| 20 | 3,001,184 | | |
| 21 | 2,767,031 | | |
| 22 | 2,592,439 | | |
| 23 | 2,526,000 | | |
| 24 | 2,405,700 | | |
| 25 | 2,330,000 | | |
| 26 | 2,232,000 | | |
| 27 | 2,098,231 | | |
| 28 | 2,027,001 | | |
| 29 | 1,970,042 | | |
| 30 | 1,961,260 | |
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: August 25, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How is affordability determined in this ranking?
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.
Why does city size affect cost of living?
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.
Should I choose a smaller city to save money?
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.