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.

Region Worldwide North America Northern America Central America Caribbean
Currency
Rank
City
Population
Price
per month for a nomad
Living Index
91
15,000
$1,346
64
92
14,972
$1,582
75
93
14,486
$1,705
82
94
13,999
$2,152
104
95
13,827
$1,229
58
96
13,779
$934
45
97
13,671
$1,029
49
98
13,467
$1,250
59
99
12,172
$1,283
61
100
12,054
$768
37
101
11,934
$1,322
63
102
11,647
$1,244
60
103
11,269
$3,912
188
104
10,974
$1,217
58
105
10,919
$1,062
51
106
10,000
$771
37
107
9,373
$1,263
61
108
8,973
$2,266
108
109
8,568
$777
37
110
8,551
$1,633
78
111
8,217
$1,298
62
112
7,779
$1,025
49
113
7,713
$876
42
114
7,713
$1,412
68
115
7,500
$1,629
77
116
7,377
$1,025
49
117
5,622
$1,320
63
118
5,153
$1,021
49
119
4,342
$922
44
120
4,170
$6,053
293
Page 4 of 5 • 131 entries total Show more Page 1

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.
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