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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 Europe Northern Europe Western Europe Eastern Europe Southern Europe
Rank
City
Population
Living Index
271
43,000
116
272
42,824
106
273
42,800
105
274
42,800
121
275
42,344
93
276
42,100
103
277
41,998
63
278
41,334
90
279
41,160
91
280
41,051
62
281
41,044
106
282
40,776
128
283
40,621
101
284
40,300
137
285
39,974
125
286
39,492
108
287
39,335
87
288
39,277
118
289
39,107
111
290
39,087
150
291
39,080
89
292
38,837
79
293
38,761
142
294
38,693
142
295
38,362
126
296
38,227
92
297
37,967
109
298
37,851
113
299
37,800
106
300
37,144
116
Page 10 of 17 • 500 entries total Show more Page 1

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

Last update: February 24, 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.
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Cost of Living Index Most Popular Cities Affordable Cities by Size