The 20 Most Expensive Cities to Live in

We know that there are quite big differences between various countries’ cost of living. It’s usually because of the different wages, taxes and other financial and economic reasons, but that’s an other story to discuss. Now we have gathered the 20 most expensive cities to live in 2019. Also, it’s not a surprise that a lot of cities are from the same country, namely from Switzerland and the United States. Let’s see where you need the most cash to survive a month. The ranking is based on the so called „cost of living index”, which measures the relative cost to live in a certain region.

20. Paris, France

The cost of living index of Paris is 84,27. I know that this might not seem very useful, but at the end, it’s great for comparison. If you want to rent an apartment, the average price in the city centre for 1 bedroom is around 1100 euros and the average monthly salary (after tax) in Paris is around 2100 euros. But hey, if you are lucky, you get to see this view above and you can drink amazing wine and eat delicious french food every day.

19. Copenhagen, Denmark

Breathtaking, isn’t it? With the signature view of the colorful houses on the riverbank, Copenhagen is the 19th most expensive city to live in. The cost of living index is 84,59. The average cost of renting a flat in the city centre is a little bit more than 1100 euros, and the average monthly salary takes shape similarly; it’s just a little bit above 2100 euros. If you want to drink a true danish beer, like Carlsberg, you have to pay between 4 and 8 euros for it.

 18. Tokyo, Japan

This whole country is like it’s from another world. So strange, yet so familiar. Traditional and absolutely modern at the same time. But let’s get down to business. The cost of living index of Tokyo is 88,45. If you don’t own a house and want to rent a 1 bedroom apartment, preferably in the city centre, it will cost you around 1200 euros per month but with the average monthly salary, which is 2200 euros, it’s not impossible, but it sure is not cheap.

17. Luxembourg, Luxembourg

This lovely city is the 17th most expensive city to live in. Unimaginable, right? But the index is 89,64 and the average monthly salary is almost 3300 euros. The most suprising thing is, that it’s actually cheaper to buy a house/apartment, since the prices per square meter are even lower than in Paris. A trip to an average restaurant for 2 persons will cost around 70 euros and a local beer is around 5 euros.

16. Brooklyn, NY, United States

Brooklyn is not only famous for the Brooklyn bridge and the incredible ethnical diversity, but its prices are also famously high. The average monthly rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre is around 2500 euros and the average monthly salary is around 3400 euros. If you feel like drinking a coffe while chilling, maybe eat something next to it, it will cost you approximately 15-20 euros. Of course there are cheaper and also more expensive places, it’s totally up to you which ones you choose.

15. San Francisco, CA, United States

San Francisco, the city of lights. I can’t disagree, just look at that picture. But what about the electricity bill? Just kidding, but seriously, San Francisco is the 15th most expensice city to live in with a 91,67 cost of living index. If you want to take a taxi, it’s 1,5 euros per km. If you decide to use public transportation, a one-way ticket is almost 2,5 euros. But hey, the average monthly salary is around 5200 euros. Not bad, right?

14. Washington, Dc, United States

Washington has a 91.99 cost of living index. Suprisingly, the average monthly salary is much lower than in San Francisco (concretely around 4200 euros) despite the fact that Washington is more expensive. Renting a 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre is almost 2000 euros and a not-so-fancy bottle of wine will cost you around 14 euros. If we don’t count the rents, a single person monthly costs around 1000 euros.

13. Honolulu, HI, United States

Honolulu has a cost of living index of 95.82. Who doesn’t want to live in a beautiful place like this? Palm trees, nice and warm weather, the breeze of the ocean in the morning and a fascinating view (if you are lucky). But what does it cost you? The average monthly salary is only 3200 euros, but guess what? A 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre is yours for 1500 euros per month. And a little fun fact: Honolulu has the 1st Most Expensive Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) in the World.

12. Trondheim, Norway

Trondheim has a cost of living index of 99,47. A single person monthly costs around 1000 euros without rent. If you want to rent a 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre, it’s also around 1000 euros, and the average monthly salary is 3000 euros, so you still have 1000 to spend on whatever you feel like to spend. Perfect, right? And these are just the average numbers. By the way, Trondheim is the third biggest city of Norway and only 170 000 people live there.

11. Bergen, Norway

What a spectacular view. Bergen is the second city of Norway and it’s right next to Trondheim in this ranking. A single person monthly costs around 1000 euros without rent, the rent is also 1000 euros usually for a 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre and the average monthly salary is 2900 euros. An interesting thing: people there usually spend more money in the markets than on rent per month. Cigarettes are also not too cheap; the average price is 13 euros.

10. New York, NY, United States

The city that never sleeps. There is something very fetching and mysterious about this city. Everyone has or had a phase when she/he wanted to live there. Let’s see what are the expenses. New York has a complete 100.00 cost of living index. If you want to go out to grab something to eat, it’ll cost you around 35-40 euros. The average monthly salary is around 4000 euros and the rent of a 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre is usually 2800 euros. Maybe it’s better to choose an aparment in the suburban region, but it sure is achievable.

9. Oslo, Norway

It’s Norway again, now with Oslo. This city has a cost of living index of 103,72 and a 3000 euros average monhtly salary. A 1 bedroom apartment in the city centre is about 1300 euros per month and the basic utilities are around 170 euros monthly. Transportation is quite expensive, for example Oslo has the 2nd most expensive Taxi Start (normal tariff) in the world. But this view is worth every penny, right?

8. Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik, where the ocean meets the snowy mountains. I think many of us would give anything for enjoying this view while drinking a coffee in the morning. If you are thinking about moving there, first consider the prices. Usually a 1 bedroom apartment in the centre costs 1500 euros and the basic utilities are around 100 euros monthly. The average monthly salary is around 2800 euros, so the renting and the utilities are not a problem. But did you know that Reykjavik has the 1st most expensive meal for 2 people in a mid-range restaurant?

7. Stavanger, Norway

Stavanger, what a cute city. Actually, it’s the fourth most populated city in Norway, what is more, the city’s history dates back to the Middle Ages. Amazing, right? Not a surprise that it’s in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world. Stavanger has a cost of living index of 104.78. The average monthly salary is around 3200 euros and a single person monthly costs around 1000 euros without rent. Surprisingly, rents are much more cheaper than any of the cases above; it’s around 980 euros per month for a 1 bedroom apartment in the centre.

6. Lugano, Switzerland

Now, we finally reached Switzerland. Just as I said at the beginning, many of the top expensive cities are from the same country. Actually, the 6 most expensive cities are from Switzerland, and Lugano is the „cheapest” of them. Lugano has a cost of living index of 118.50. The average salary is around 3100 euros, basic utilities are approximately 150 euros per month and renting a 1 bedroom apartment in the centre will cost you 1000 euros.

5. Geneva, Switzerland

Geneva is the second most populated city in Switzerland, but the mood of the city is very cosy, it’s not crowded at all. An interesting fact: almost half of the inhabitants are from abroad. Geneva has a cost of living index of 117.73 and the average salary is around 4700 euros. The basic utilities are around 160 euros per month and if you want to rent a small apartment in the centre, it’s around 1700 euros.

4. Bern, Switzerland

Bern is the de facto capital city of Switzerland. The old town of Bern is even listed by the UNESCO. Bern has a cost of living index of 123.00. The average price of renting a 1 bedroom apartment is 930 euros, which seems cheap, compared to the previous cities, but the basic utilities usually costs 200 euros per month and the markets are also quite expensive. The average monthly salary is around 4300 euros.

3. Lausanne, Switzerland

Lasuanne is a merchant city in the french-speaking part of Switzerland. Some people even say that it’s the most beautiful city in Switzerland. With a wonderful view of Lake Geneva and the huge snowy mountains hugging around the lake, it’s just something from another world. The cost of living index of Lausanne is 122,34 and the average salary is 4300 euros. The cost of renting a 1 bedroom apartment in the centre is around 1250 euros.

 2. Zurich, Switzerland

Zurich lays next to Lake Zurich and is the largest city in Switzerland. Zurich is the city where nature and urban lifestyle meets and it works completely fine. Zurich has a cost of living index of 126.90. A single person monthly costs: 1400 euros without rent. Renting a 1 bedroom apartment in the centre costs 1500 euros, but in the suburbans, it’s „only” 1200. The average monthly salary is around 5200 euros. Zurich has the 1st most expensive meal in an average restaurant.

1. Basel, Switzerland

We finally reached the most expensive city in the whole world, and it’s Basel from Switzerland. Basel has a cost of living index of 128.78 and a 4700 euros average salary per month. Fun fact: Basel has the most expensive McDonald’s meal in the world, it’s 13,25 euros. For a small apartment in the centre, you have to pay around 1150 euros and the basic utilities costs 200 euros.