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
361
107,742
$2,905
140
362
107,588
$3,319
157
363
107,408
$2,935
140
364
107,158
$3,470
166
365
106,874
$2,780
134
366
106,803
$3,310
160
367
106,785
$3,030
145
368
106,519
$2,667
127
369
106,447
$2,884
138
370
106,215
$3,311
159
371
105,162
$4,798
228
372
105,162
$2,674
127
373
105,000
$2,929
140
374
104,659
$2,316
111
375
104,423
$3,485
167
376
104,371
$2,204
105
377
104,246
$2,504
120
378
103,700
$2,403
115
379
103,536
$4,620
222
380
103,453
$1,839
88
381
103,340
$3,674
176
382
102,827
$2,232
108
383
102,316
$1,811
87
384
101,724
$2,180
105
385
101,724
$1,987
95
386
101,412
$2,011
97
387
101,410
$2,291
110
388
101,228
$2,734
132
389
101,030
$3,305
159
390
100,670
$3,779
179

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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