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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
61
183,600
102
62
183,491
125
63
181,808
102
64
180,000
99
65
178,210
116
66
176,194
124
67
173,314
152
68
168,168
153
69
166,698
101
70
165,468
89
71
165,000
153
72
164,455
134
73
163,919
109
74
162,666
136
75
162,360
68
76
154,718
127
77
151,677
132
78
149,330
137
79
148,280
98
80
147,821
98
81
146,234
107
82
145,818
156
83
139,720
98
84
139,403
120
85
139,000
99
86
137,000
111
87
136,894
192
88
136,082
116
89
132,512
126
90
131,136
126
Page 3 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