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 Oceania Australia and New Zealand Melanesia Micronesia Polynesia

Rank	City	Population	Price per month for a nomad	Living Index
121	Penrith, Australia	13,343	$2,545	122
122	Campbelltown, Australia	13,193	$2,372	117
123	Balga, Australia	12,685	$2,497	125
124	Penshurst, NSW, Australia	12,673	$2,409	122
125	Wanneroo, Australia	12,113	$2,505	121
126	Wanaka, New Zealand	11,600	$1,664	80
127	Mudgee, Australia	11,563	$2,363	120
128	Bowral, Australia	10,764	$2,545	122
129	Byron Bay, Australia	10,538	$2,404	115
130	Redcliffe, Australia	10,460	$2,662	119
131	Esperance, Australia	10,218	$2,508	122
132	Casino, NSW, Australia	10,000	$2,352	119
133	Nowra NSW, Australia	9,598	$2,451	124
134	Tweed Heads, Australia	9,017	$2,618	120
135	Ballina, Australia	8,911	$2,462	122
136	Moe, Australia	8,700	$2,478	115
137	Fremantle, Australia	8,616	$2,518	120
138	Mansfield, Australia	8,600	$2,458	122
139	Forbes, Australia	8,481	$2,513	122
140	Katoomba, Australia	8,000	$2,558	121
141	Margaret River, Australia	8,000	$2,602	125
142	Ormond, VIC, Australia	8,000	$2,423	121
143	Kerikeri, New Zealand	8,000	$2,014	98
144	Deniliquin NSW, Australia	7,793	$2,619	125
145	Thames, New Zealand	7,500	$2,221	102
146	Noosa Heads, Australia	7,041	$2,640	126
147	Collie, Australia	7,000	$2,598	125
148	Yamba NSW, Australia	6,913	$2,436	119
149	Nuriootpa, Australia	6,300	$2,502	124
150	Winmalee, Australia	6,057	$2,695	124

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

Last update: November 10, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.