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.

Currency
Rank
City
Population
Price
per month for a nomad
Living Index
451
115,282
$2,774
124
452
115,282
$1,939
93
453
115,162
$2,286
109
454
115,000
$1,047
50
455
114,746
$3,964
188
456
114,746
$2,199
105
457
114,428
$2,519
121
458
114,355
$3,062
146
459
114,247
$2,722
132
460
113,843
$1,202
57
461
113,150
$2,538
121
462
113,150
$1,889
91
463
112,644
$2,725
125
464
112,644
$2,387
114
465
112,603
$1,039
50
466
111,823
$3,174
152
467
111,502
$2,638
128
468
111,385
$2,085
99
469
110,945
$2,865
129
470
110,660
$2,621
125
471
110,629
$3,128
150
472
110,525
$2,148
103
473
110,511
$1,848
88
474
110,366
$5,119
246
475
110,128
$2,721
131
476
110,115
$1,172
56
477
110,000
$2,511
120
478
110,000
$1,645
78
479
109,960
$3,909
189
480
109,830
$3,814
184

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 3, 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.
Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?