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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
151
82,729
91
152
81,203
99
153
80,000
113
154
79,594
84
155
78,908
149
156
78,876
90
157
78,787
68
158
78,060
94
159
76,792
142
160
76,575
158
161
76,143
115
162
76,131
116
163
75,805
106
164
75,556
96
165
75,529
154
166
74,000
109
167
73,864
95
168
73,500
92
169
73,404
166
170
73,016
88
171
72,398
101
172
72,000
114
173
71,673
109
174
71,403
113
175
70,827
119
176
70,628
107
177
70,374
87
178
68,303
85
179
68,156
172
180
67,594
113
Page 6 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