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
$2,790
125
452
115,282
$1,933
93
453
115,162
$2,256
109
454
115,000
$1,047
50
455
114,746
$3,935
188
456
114,746
$2,175
105
457
114,428
$2,526
121
458
114,355
$3,050
146
459
114,247
$2,762
132
460
113,843
$1,177
56
461
113,150
$2,537
121
462
113,150
$1,889
91
463
112,644
$2,751
126
464
112,644
$2,383
115
465
112,603
$1,034
50
466
111,823
$3,188
152
467
111,502
$2,680
128
468
111,385
$2,047
99
469
110,945
$2,641
130
470
110,660
$2,642
125
471
110,629
$3,179
151
472
110,525
$2,089
101
473
110,511
$1,831
88
474
110,366
$5,134
246
475
110,128
$2,716
130
476
110,115
$1,169
56
477
110,000
$2,508
121
478
110,000
$1,665
79
479
109,960
$3,958
190
480
109,830
$3,824
185

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

Last update: November 10, 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?