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
421	Mo i Rana, Norway	18,755	124
422	Boden, Sweden	18,680	74
423	Sollefteå, Sweden	18,673	91
424	Malahide, Ireland	18,608	127
425	Hässleholm, Sweden	18,500	87
426	Clonmel, Ireland	18,369	121
427	Ystad, Sweden	18,350	88
428	Carrigaline, Ireland	18,239	128
429	Kongsvinger, Norway	18,104	123
430	Almhult, Sweden	18,039	92
431	Bangor, United Kingdom	17,988	94
432	Alton, United Kingdom	17,816	126
433	Eslov, Sweden	17,748	91
434	Köping, Sweden	17,743	87
435	Cesis, Latvia	17,673	70
436	Maynooth, Ireland	17,259	183
437	Nyborg, Denmark	17,164	115
438	Rakvere, Estonia	16,953	63
439	Bromley, United Kingdom	16,826	183
440	Nykobing Falster, Denmark	16,778	102
441	St. Andrews, United Kingdom	16,460	107
442	Falköping, Sweden	16,350	91
443	Aabenraa, Denmark	16,274	99
444	Frederikssund, Denmark	16,254	106
445	Kalix, Sweden	15,734	90
446	Palanga, Lithuania	15,732	74
447	Llandudno, United Kingdom	15,371	116
448	Askim, Norway	15,368	130
449	Kuressaare, Estonia	15,170	72
450	Tullamore, Ireland	15,000	119

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.