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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
301
37,040
105
302
36,601
115
303
36,492
88
304
36,199
98
305
36,000
114
306
35,711
92
307
35,590
113
308
35,322
140
309
35,212
88
310
35,170
95
311
35,015
114
312
34,466
94
313
34,266
129
314
34,087
119
315
33,936
67
316
33,886
142
317
33,841
126
318
33,777
104
319
33,512
132
320
33,249
111
321
33,059
118
322
32,953
91
323
32,920
122
324
32,775
106
325
32,698
124
326
32,659
92
327
32,522
168
328
32,120
115
329
31,965
110
330
31,842
73
Page 11 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