Scraping By: The 10 Most Expensive Cities To Live In & The 10 Cheapest
Priciest and Cheapest Cities to Live
With life far more mobile than ever before, you may be thinking of a change of scenery. Whether you have a lot of money to spare or need to tighten your belt, there are so many amazing cities in the world that offer unique living experiences for any budget. Let's dive into some of the most expensive cities in the world to live in and some of the cheapest.
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1. Hong Kong, China
From world-class restaurants, shops, and nightlife, Hong Kong has a lot going for it, and the cost of living there reflects that. It costs about $2,700 to live there per month, with the majority of that pricetag going towards housing.
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2. Reykjavik, Iceland
Although it’s known for its unique natural beauty, the cost of living in Iceland is about 30% higher than in the USA, and the capital Reykjavik is no exception. The average cost of living for a single person is between $2,000 and $2,500 per month.
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3. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is known for its pristine streets, modern technology, and gorgeous natural setting, but it’s also known for its price. The inflation of the Swiss franc caused it to become one of the most expensive cities to buy groceries, household items, and clothing, bringing the average price of living for a single person to around $3,000 a month.
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4. Geneva, Switzerland
Just next to Zurich in both cost and size is Geneva. Another victim of the inflation of the Swiss franc, Geneve is 12 percent more expensive than New York City not including rent prices, with rent alone costing an eye-watering $2,000 on average for a one-bedroom.
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5. New York City, USA
Where dreams are made of… if you can afford it! The average cost of living for a single person is around $4,000, with almost three-fourths of that cost going towards housing.
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6. Los Angeles, USA
Have you ever thought of moving to the City of Angels? You should think again as living costs in LA are twice the national average. Living in LA costs around $3,500 a month, but at least that price tag comes with amazing beaches, sunshine, and celebrities.
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7. Paris, France
Paris is dubbed the City of Lights for its romantic atmosphere, but those beautiful boulevards, world-class restaurants, and the amazing arts scene don’t come cheap. Paris costs around $3,500 per person per month.
Photo by Elina Sazonova: https://www.pexels.com/photo/eiffel-tower-behind-buildings-1850619/
8. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen routinely ranks among the best cities to live in thanks to its safety, cleanliness, and relaxed vibe. However, it’s also one of the most expensive with the average monthly cost of living upwards of $2,500 per person.
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9. Tel Aviv, Israel
Back in 2021, Tel Aviv took the top spot for the most expensive city in the world. Since then, costs have mellowed slightly but are still in the top 10 with the average monthly cost of living for a single person at around $3,300.
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10. San Francisco, USA
San Francisco is restricted by water on three sides, making it beautiful but also impossible to expand, limiting the housing supply. It’s one of the most expensive cities in the USA with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom coming in at around $3,000.
Now that we’ve covered the cities that’ll eat a hole in your wallet, let’s talk about where you can live if you want to scrimp and save.
1. Kabul, Afghanistan
It's not likely Kabul was on your list of places, but maybe you should give it a chance considering Afghanistan’s cost of living is almost 70 percent lower than the USA. You can live here for around $500 a month with the average rent for a one-bedroom in the city center being only $90.
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2. Ahmedabad, India
Known for its beautiful temples and landscapes, Ahmedabad just might be your next home with the cost of living less than $500 per month. The average rent in the city center is around $100 for a one-bedroom.
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3. Delhi, India
If you’re interested in moving to India, why not make it the capital? Delhi is a bustling megacity of over 15 million people. You can comfortably live there for less than $500 per month per person with average rent in the city center costing around $250 for a one-bedroom.
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4. Lahore, Pakistan
“The Heart of Pakistan” is a modern city rich in history, adorned with unique Moghul architecture. It’ll only cost you around $600 per month to live here.
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5. Cape Town, South Africa
The capital of South Africa is a beautiful city nestled in the mountains and surrounded by ocean on three sides. The average rent for a one-bedroom in the city center is a little pricier, but still only comes in at $700, and other monthly costs amount to around $600.
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6. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is the vibrant multicultural capital of Malaysia. It boasts a modern skyline, plenty of events all year round, and low living costs. You can find a one-bedroom apartment in the city center for around $500, and other monthly costs total around $600.
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7. Alexandria, Egypt
Looking for a cheap place to live that has nice weather, is steeped in history, and has gorgeous natural settings? Look no further than Alexandria! It costs around $100 per month to rent an apartment in the city center and other costs come to around $300.
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8. Chittagong, Bangladesh
Chittagong is a contemporary port city in Bangladesh with a unique cultural heritage. It’s also extremely inexpensive. You can live there comfortably for as little as $400 with the average price of a one-bedroom in the city centre being only around $75 a month.
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9. Hanoi, Vietnam
If you’re looking for an adventure, why not move to Hanoi? Known for its unique history and cultural blend of French, Chinese, and Southeast Asian influences, there’s plenty to see and do here. What’s more, it only costs around $700 a month to live here.
10. Damascus, Syria
The oldest capital in the world, Damascus is a historical and cultural behemoth of the Arab world. $800 a month will get you a one-bedroom in the city center and all the food, entertainment, and household items you could want.
