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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
121
102,414
80
122
101,057
62
123
101,000
129
124
100,000
101
125
99,690
64
126
99,214
138
127
98,237
84
128
98,088
89
129
97,541
114
130
96,224
159
131
95,894
143
132
95,238
90
133
94,585
126
134
94,192
143
135
94,000
102
136
93,838
89
137
92,855
132
138
92,500
87
139
92,000
129
140
89,663
123
141
88,859
143
142
86,191
135
143
85,540
89
144
85,267
134
145
85,016
93
146
85,016
87
147
84,423
91
148
83,958
126
149
83,117
79
150
82,800
97
Page 5 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