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	Givat Shmuel, Israel	24,659	128
242	Kiryat Shmona, Israel	23,076	128
243	Zikhron Ya'akov, Israel	22,984	114
244	Yokneam Illit, Israel	22,746	120
245	Samtredia, Georgia	22,201	34
246	Zaqatala, Azerbaijan	21,800	18
247	Aglantzia, Cyprus	20,000	83
248	Aradippou, Cyprus	20,000	64
249	Izki, Oman	20,000	43
250	Dilijan, Armenia	20,000	57
251	Qusar, Azerbaijan	18,600	34
252	Adam, Oman	18,515	43
253	Ucar, Azerbaijan	18,300	29
254	Beit Shean, Israel	17,587	125
255	Kobuleti, Georgia	17,435	46
256	Paralimni, Cyprus	15,000	79
257	Al Mahwit, Yemen	12,817	35
258	Al Hidd, Bahrain	12,797	82
259	Side, Turkey	12,500	53
260	Dukhan, Qatar	12,000	80
261	Borjomi, Georgia	11,194	45
262	Ypsonas, Cyprus	10,916	87
263	Dali, Cyprus	10,000	79
264	Tkibuli, Georgia	9,000	29
265	Gurjaani, Georgia	8,000	45
266	Khor, Qatar	7,000	73
267	Tseri, Cyprus	7,000	82
268	Sanad, Bahrain	7,000	59
269	Mitzpe Ramon, Israel	5,200	128
270	Athienou, Cyprus	5,000	78

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.