Singapore and New York were ranked as the most expensive cities worldwide with an index of 100 out of a possible 100. Three of the 11 most expensive cities were in the United States, whereas two were in Switzerland.

Damascus in Syria was ranked as the least expensive city worldwide in 2023, with an index score of 13 out of 100. The country has been marred by civil war over the last decade, hitting the country's economy hard. Other cities in the Middle East and North Africa such as Tehran, Tripoli, and Tunis are also present on the list. Buenos Aires is the Latin American city with the highest costs of living, as Argentina has recently faced an economic crisis and rapidly rising inflation. On the other hand, Singapore and Zurich were ranked the most expensive cities in the world.

The average for 2021 based on 40 countries was 69.86 index points. The highest value was in Israel: 188.01 index points and the lowest value was in Syria: 33.25 index points. The indicator is available from 2017 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

West Virginia and Kansas had the lowest cost of living across all U.S. states, with composite costs being half of those found in Hawaii. This was according to a composite index that compares prices for various goods and services on a state-by-state basis. In West Virginia, the cost of living index amounted to 84.8 - well below the national benchmark of 100. Nevada - which had an index value of 100.1 - was only slightly above that benchmark. Expensive places to live included Hawaii, Massachusetts, and California Housing costs in the U.S. Housing is usually the highest expense in a household’s budget. In 2023, the average house sold for approximately 427,000 U.S. dollars, but house prices in the Northeast and West regions were significantly higher. Conversely, the South had some of the least expensive housing. In West Virginia, Mississippi, and Louisiana, the median price of the typical single-family home was less than 200,000 U.S. dollars. That makes living costs in these states significantly lower than in states such as Hawaii and California, where housing is much more expensive. What other expenses affect the cost of living? Utility costs such as electricity, natural gas, water, and internet also influence the cost of living. In Alaska, Hawaii, and Connecticut, the average monthly utility cost exceeded 500 U.S. dollars. That was because of the significantly higher prices for electricity and natural gas in these states.

The average for 2021 based on 41 countries was 107.05 index points. The highest value was in Switzerland: 211.98 index points and the lowest value was in Belarus: 40.99 index points. The indicator is available from 2017 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Kazakhstan Cost of Living: Average per Capita: Region: Akmolinskaya data was reported at 27,356.000 KZT in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 27,579.000 KZT for Sep 2018. Kazakhstan Cost of Living: Average per Capita: Region: Akmolinskaya data is updated monthly, averaging 11,893.000 KZT from Oct 2000 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 217 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 28,447.000 KZT in Aug 2018 and a record low of 4,060.000 KZT in Oct 2000. Kazakhstan Cost of Living: Average per Capita: Region: Akmolinskaya data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by The Agency of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kazakhstan – Table KZ.H012: Cost of Living: Average per Capita.

Ireland: Cost of living index, world average = 100: The latest value from 2021 is 175.68 index points, an increase from 157.19 index points in 2017. In comparison, the world average is 79.81 index points, based on data from 165 countries. Historically, the average for Ireland from 2017 to 2021 is 166.44 index points. The minimum value, 157.19 index points, was reached in 2017 while the maximum of 175.68 index points was recorded in 2021.

A table comparing the cost of living in various European Union countries, including expenses for rent, utilities, food, and transportation in major cities

The average for 2021 based on 27 countries was 115.11 index points. The highest value was in Luxembourg: 184.36 index points and the lowest value was in Romania: 59.9 index points. The indicator is available from 2017 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

South Korea's capital Seoul had the highest cost of living among megacities in the Asia-Pacific region in 2024, with an index score of 70.3. Japan's capital Tokyo followed with a cost of living index score of 57.4. AffordabilityIn terms of housing affordability, Chinese megacity Shanghai had the highest rent index score in 2024. Affordability has become an issue in certain megacities across the Asia-Pacific region, with accommodation proving expensive. Next to Shanghai, Japanese capital Tokyo and South Korean capital Seoul boast some of the highest rent indices in the region. Increased opportunities in megacitiesAs the biggest region in the world, it is not surprising that the Asia-Pacific region is home to 28 megacities as of January 2024, with expectations that this number will dramatically increase by 2030. The growing number of megacities in the Asia-Pacific region can be attributed to raised levels of employment and living conditions. Cities such as Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing have become economic and industrial hubs. Subsequently, these cities have forged a reputation as being the in-trend places to live among the younger generations. This reputation has also pushed them to become enticing to tourists, with Tokyo displaying increased numbers of tourists throughout recent years, which in turn has created more job opportunities for inhabitants. As well as Tokyo, Shanghai has benefitted from the increased tourism, and has demonstrated an increasing population. A big factor in this population increase could be due to the migration of citizens to the city, seeking better employment possibilities.

Although consumers around the globe wish to help protect the environment in 2022, many of them feel the current cost of living prevents them from doing so. Specifically, about two-thirds of global consumers reported wanting to do more, but that the cost of living is preventative. This sentiment was felt most in countries like Brazil and India.

Turkey Cost of Living Index: 63=100: Istanbul (IB) data was reported at 428,251,644.200 1963=100 in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 383,616,648.700 1963=100 for 2016. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 63=100: Istanbul (IB) data is updated yearly, averaging 12,568.000 1963=100 from Dec 1953 (Median) to 2017, with 65 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 428,251,644.200 1963=100 in 2017 and a record low of 40.100 1963=100 in 1953. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 63=100: Istanbul (IB) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Turkey – Table TR.I015: Cost of Living Index: Wage Earners: Istanbul: 1963=100.

The average for 2021 based on 10 countries was 59.91 index points. The highest value was in Singapore: 118.34 index points and the lowest value was in India: 40.44 index points. The indicator is available from 2017 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Kazakhstan Cost of Living: Average per Capita: City: Almaty data was reported at 32,029.000 KZT in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 32,475.000 KZT for Sep 2018. Kazakhstan Cost of Living: Average per Capita: City: Almaty data is updated monthly, averaging 15,920.000 KZT from Oct 2000 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 217 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 32,640.000 KZT in Aug 2018 and a record low of 4,577.000 KZT in Oct 2000. Kazakhstan Cost of Living: Average per Capita: City: Almaty data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by The Agency of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kazakhstan – Table KZ.H012: Cost of Living: Average per Capita.

Living Cost: Average per Month: SF: Republic of Crimea data was reported at 11,074.000 RUB in Dec 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,945.000 RUB for Sep 2020. Living Cost: Average per Month: SF: Republic of Crimea data is updated quarterly, averaging 9,798.500 RUB from Sep 2014 (Median) to Dec 2020, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,074.000 RUB in Dec 2020 and a record low of 5,786.000 RUB in Sep 2014. Living Cost: Average per Month: SF: Republic of Crimea data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table RU.HF001: Living Cost.

As of 2022, Israel had the highest price level index among listed countries, amounting to 138, with 100 being the average of OECD countries. Switzerland and Iceland followed on the places behind. On the other hand, Turkey and India had the lowest price levels compared to the OECD average. This price index shows differences in price levels in different countries. Another very popular index indicating the value of money is the Big Mac index, showing how much a Big Mac costs in different countries. This list was also topped by Switzerland in 2023.

Living Cost: Average per Month: NC: Republic of Ingushetia data was reported at 10,353.000 RUB in Dec 2020. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,336.000 RUB for Sep 2020. Living Cost: Average per Month: NC: Republic of Ingushetia data is updated quarterly, averaging 4,872.500 RUB from Mar 2001 (Median) to Dec 2020, with 80 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,571.000 RUB in Jun 2020 and a record low of 1,121.000 RUB in Mar 2001. Living Cost: Average per Month: NC: Republic of Ingushetia data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table RU.HF001: Living Cost.

This statistic displays the results of a survey about the cost of living ranking according to expatriates living in the Gulf Cooperation Council as of March 2018, by country. According to the report published by InterNations, Saudi Arabia ranked 25th out of 68 countries when it comes to cost of living as of March 2018.

Living Cost: Average per Month: VR: Samara Region data was reported at 10,962.000 RUB in Dec 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11,163.000 RUB for Sep 2020. Living Cost: Average per Month: VR: Samara Region data is updated quarterly, averaging 6,476.000 RUB from Dec 2001 (Median) to Dec 2020, with 77 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,163.000 RUB in Sep 2020 and a record low of 1,661.000 RUB in Dec 2001. Living Cost: Average per Month: VR: Samara Region data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal State Statistics Service. The data is categorized under Russia Premium Database’s Household Survey – Table RU.HF001: Living Cost.

Turkey Cost of Living Index: 95=100: Istanbul: Dwelling Expenses data was reported at 23,676.100 1995=100 in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 23,327.800 1995=100 for Sep 2018. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 95=100: Istanbul: Dwelling Expenses data is updated monthly, averaging 9,291.150 1995=100 from Jan 1996 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 274 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,676.100 1995=100 in Oct 2018 and a record low of 150.600 1995=100 in Jan 1996. Turkey Cost of Living Index: 95=100: Istanbul: Dwelling Expenses data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Turkey – Table TR.I012: Cost of Living Index: Wage Earners: Istanbul: 1995=100.