Global City Index Rankings New York City Base = 100.0 2026 Mid-Year Data
Current Cost of Living Index 2026: Mid-Year Global City Rankings
Comprehensive global ranking of consumer expenses, apartment rent, groceries, restaurants, and local purchasing power across 206 world cities, benchmarked against New York City (NYC = 100.0).
Benchmark BaselineNYC = 100.0
🇺🇸
New York, NY, USA
Standard Index Reference Point A city with an index of 120 is 20% more expensive than NYC, while an index of 60 is 40% cheaper.
Key Takeaway & Executive Summary Target Audience: Expats • Remote Workers • HR Leaders • Travelers
Quick Answer: The global median Cost of Living Index for 2026 is 59.4 relative to New York City (100.0). Zurich (122.4) ranks as the most expensive city globally, requiring consumer expenditure ~22.4% above New York. Conversely, Alexandria (20.8) ranks as the most affordable metro, with living costs approximately 79.2% lower than New York City.
200+ Cities Ranked6 Sub-Indices (Rent, Groceries, Dining, Purchasing Power) Aligned with OECD PPP Standards
Ranked Cities
206 Metros
5 ContinentsGlobal Average Index
57.7
Median: 59.4Highest Cost Index
🇨🇠122.4
Zurich, SwitzerlandMost Affordable
🇪🇬 20.8
Alexandria, Egypt2026 Global Living Cost Highlights & Key Takeaways
Top 6 Most Expensive Cities Worldwide
Highest Cost of LivingTop 6 Most Affordable World Metros
Lowest Consumer Costs206 of 206 cities matching
Full Global City Rankings Table (2026 Mid-Year)
| Rank | City & Country | Cost of Living | Rent Index | Cost + Rent | Groceries | Restaurant | Purchasing Power | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇨🇠Zurich Switzerland Europe | 122.4 | 124.0 | 123.1 | 173.4 | 170.5 | 68.7 | Details |
| 2 | 🇨🇠Basel Switzerland Europe | 119.5 | 113.6 | 116.8 | 170.5 | 164.8 | 70.3 | Details |
| 3 | 🇨🇠Geneva Switzerland Europe | 118.2 | 118.8 | 118.5 | 167.5 | 159.1 | 71.1 | Details |
| 4 | 🇨🇠Lausanne Switzerland Europe | 115.8 | 108.5 | 112.5 | 164.5 | 153.4 | 72.6 | Details |
| 5 | 🇺🇸 New York United States Americas | 100.0 | 172.7 | 132.7 | 118.4 | 125.0 | 82.5 | Details |
| 6 | 🇺🇸 Faro United States of America Americas | 96.9 | 97.3 | 97.1 | 87.0 | 86.9 | 85.1 | Details |
| 7 | 🇺🇸 Coimbra United States of America Americas | 96.9 | 97.3 | 97.1 | 87.0 | 86.9 | 85.1 | Details |
| 8 | 🇺🇸 Braga United States of America Americas | 96.9 | 97.3 | 97.1 | 87.0 | 86.9 | 85.1 | Details |
| 9 | 🇺🇸 San Francisco United States Americas | 96.5 | 154.5 | 122.6 | 126.3 | 125.0 | 85.5 | Details |
| 10 | 🇺🇸 Honolulu United States Americas | 94.5 | 122.7 | 107.2 | 136.8 | 120.0 | 87.3 | Details |
| 11 | 🇺🇸 San Jose United States Americas | 91.2 | 140.9 | 113.6 | 121.1 | 115.0 | 90.4 | Details |
| 12 | 🇮🇸 Reykjavik Iceland Europe | 89.4 | 85.6 | 87.7 | 124.0 | 115.9 | 81.7 | Details |
| 13 | 🇳🇴 Oslo Norway Europe | 88.7 | 58.4 | 75.1 | 91.7 | 91.7 | 59.5 | Details |
| 14 | 🇺🇸 Boston United States Americas | 88.4 | 131.8 | 107.9 | 115.8 | 115.0 | 93.3 | Details |
| 15 | 🇺🇸 Washington D.C. United States Americas | 86.2 | 122.7 | 102.6 | 113.2 | 110.0 | 95.7 | Details |
| 16 | 🇬🇧 London United Kingdom Europe | 86.1 | 122.4 | 102.4 | 94.5 | 128.2 | 67.6 | Details |
| 17 | 🇸🇬 Singapore Singapore Asia | 85.9 | 122.1 | 102.2 | 90.3 | 56.0 | 145.0 | Details |
| 18 | 🇺🇸 Seattle United States Americas | 85.7 | 109.1 | 96.2 | 113.2 | 110.0 | 96.2 | Details |
| 19 | 🇺🇸 Los Angeles United States Americas | 84.3 | 118.2 | 99.6 | 107.9 | 110.0 | 97.8 | Details |
| 20 | 🇮🇱 Tel Aviv Israel Asia | 83.4 | 68.8 | 76.8 | 103.1 | 94.6 | 101.8 | Details |
| 21 | 🇺🇸 San Diego United States Americas | 82.6 | 113.6 | 96.6 | 110.5 | 105.0 | 99.8 | Details |
| 22 | 🇩🇰 Copenhagen Denmark Europe | 82.5 | 69.2 | 76.5 | 91.5 | 108.7 | 96.0 | Details |
| 23 | 🇱🇺 Luxembourg Luxembourg Europe | 81.3 | 81.5 | 81.4 | 103.0 | 108.7 | 100.9 | Details |
| 24 | 🇺🇸 Miami United States Americas | 81.2 | 113.6 | 95.8 | 110.5 | 120.0 | 101.6 | Details |
| 25 | 🇦🇺 Sydney Australia Oceania | 79.4 | 86.0 | 82.4 | 74.7 | 81.1 | 142.6 | Details |
| 26 | 🇮🇪 Dublin Ireland Europe | 79.2 | 96.3 | 86.9 | 88.7 | 108.7 | 101.8 | Details |
| 27 | 🇺🇸 Chicago United States Americas | 78.9 | 95.5 | 86.4 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 104.5 | Details |
| 28 | 🇳🇱 Amsterdam Netherlands Europe | 78.6 | 91.4 | 84.4 | 97.3 | 97.8 | 77.2 | Details |
| 29 | đź‡đź‡° Hong Kong Hong Kong Asia | 77.8 | 104.9 | 90.0 | 118.1 | 44.9 | 60.3 | Details |
| 30 | 🇺🇸 Portland United States Americas | 77.5 | 81.8 | 79.4 | 102.6 | 100.0 | 106.4 | Details |
| 31 | 🇫🇷 Paris France Europe | 77.2 | 66.7 | 72.5 | 94.4 | 92.4 | 64.5 | Details |
| 32 | 🇺🇸 Denver United States Americas | 76.8 | 86.4 | 81.1 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 107.4 | Details |
| 33 | 🇨🇦 Vancouver Canada Americas | 76.4 | 83.6 | 79.6 | 79.3 | 88.2 | 134.1 | Details |
| 34 | 🇩🇪 Munich Germany Europe | 75.8 | 71.6 | 73.9 | 91.5 | 87.0 | 67.2 | Details |
| 35 | 🇺🇸 Sacramento United States Americas | 75.8 | 84.1 | 79.5 | 100.0 | 95.0 | 108.8 | Details |
| 36 | 🇺🇸 Austin United States Americas | 75.3 | 88.6 | 81.3 | 97.4 | 95.0 | 109.5 | Details |
| 37 | 🇦🇺 Melbourne Australia Oceania | 75.1 | 64.5 | 70.3 | 69.3 | 74.3 | 145.0 | Details |
| 38 | 🇨🇦 Toronto Canada Americas | 74.8 | 80.2 | 77.2 | 75.5 | 91.9 | 137.0 | Details |
| 39 | 🇮🇱 Jerusalem Israel Asia | 74.5 | 55.3 | 65.9 | 92.5 | 81.1 | 113.9 | Details |
| 40 | 🇺🇸 Philadelphia United States Americas | 74.2 | 79.5 | 76.6 | 97.4 | 95.0 | 111.1 | Details |
| 41 | 🇺🇸 Atlanta United States Americas | 73.6 | 81.8 | 77.3 | 94.7 | 90.0 | 112.0 | Details |
| 42 | 🇰🇷 Seoul South Korea Asia | 73.5 | 37.0 | 57.1 | 87.7 | 37.0 | 42.5 | Details |
| 43 | 🇳🇿 Auckland New Zealand Oceania | 73.2 | 60.6 | 67.5 | 70.2 | 75.8 | 123.0 | Details |
| 44 | 🇫🇮 Helsinki Finland Europe | 73.1 | 56.8 | 65.8 | 88.7 | 81.5 | 76.6 | Details |
| 45 | 🇺🇸 Minneapolis United States Americas | 73.1 | 72.7 | 72.9 | 97.4 | 90.0 | 112.8 | Details |
| 46 | 🇺🇸 Baltimore United States Americas | 72.9 | 75.0 | 73.8 | 96.1 | 90.0 | 113.1 | Details |
| 47 | 🇬🇧 Edinburgh United Kingdom Europe | 72.4 | 75.8 | 73.9 | 87.7 | 109.0 | 80.4 | Details |
| 48 | 🇦🇪 Dubai United Arab Emirates Asia | 72.1 | 89.2 | 79.8 | 68.1 | 54.5 | 71.0 | Details |
| 49 | 🇺🇸 Nashville United States Americas | 72.1 | 79.5 | 75.4 | 93.4 | 90.0 | 114.4 | Details |
| 50 | 🇺🇸 Salt Lake City United States Americas | 71.8 | 75.0 | 73.2 | 94.7 | 85.0 | 114.9 | Details |
| 51 | 🇦🇺 Brisbane Australia Oceania | 71.8 | 59.9 | 66.4 | 65.8 | 70.9 | 145.0 | Details |
| 52 | 🇺🇸 Dallas United States Americas | 71.5 | 79.5 | 75.1 | 92.1 | 90.0 | 115.3 | Details |
| 53 | 🇳🇿 Wellington New Zealand Oceania | 71.5 | 57.9 | 65.4 | 67.0 | 69.7 | 125.9 | Details |
| 54 | 🇸🇪 Stockholm Sweden Europe | 71.3 | 56.8 | 64.8 | 75.5 | 64.8 | 76.8 | Details |
| 55 | 🇩🇪 Frankfurt Germany Europe | 71.2 | 61.8 | 67.0 | 85.8 | 81.5 | 71.6 | Details |
| 56 | 🇨🇦 Victoria Canada Americas | 71.2 | 70.2 | 70.8 | 73.5 | 80.9 | 143.9 | Details |
| 57 | 🇺🇸 Charlotte United States Americas | 71.0 | 76.4 | 73.4 | 92.1 | 85.0 | 116.1 | Details |
| 58 | 🇺🇸 Orlando United States Americas | 70.4 | 75.0 | 72.5 | 94.7 | 90.0 | 117.1 | Details |
| 59 | 🇺🇸 Tampa United States Americas | 70.2 | 77.3 | 73.4 | 93.4 | 90.0 | 117.5 | Details |
| 60 | 🇦🇺 Perth Australia Oceania | 70.2 | 56.8 | 64.2 | 64.0 | 67.6 | 145.0 | Details |
| 61 | 🇺🇸 Las Vegas United States Americas | 69.8 | 70.5 | 70.1 | 90.8 | 85.0 | 118.1 | Details |
| 62 | 🇩🇪 Hamburg Germany Europe | 69.5 | 54.3 | 62.7 | 83.0 | 76.1 | 73.3 | Details |
| 63 | 🇧🇪 Brussels Belgium Europe | 69.4 | 56.8 | 63.7 | 95.8 | 108.7 | 82.9 | Details |
| 64 | 🇺🇸 Phoenix United States Americas | 69.1 | 72.7 | 70.7 | 92.1 | 90.0 | 119.3 | Details |
| 65 | 🇮🇪 Cork Ireland Europe | 68.5 | 71.6 | 69.9 | 83.0 | 87.0 | 117.7 | Details |
| 66 | 🇩🇪 Berlin Germany Europe | 68.4 | 61.8 | 65.4 | 83.0 | 76.1 | 74.5 | Details |
| 67 | 🇺🇸 Houston United States Americas | 68.4 | 70.5 | 69.3 | 89.5 | 85.0 | 120.6 | Details |
| 68 | 🇮🇹 Milan Italy Europe | 67.9 | 69.2 | 68.5 | 83.0 | 97.8 | 57.9 | Details |
| 69 | 🇫🇷 Nice France Europe | 67.5 | 51.9 | 60.5 | 88.7 | 87.0 | 73.8 | Details |
| 70 | 🇨🇦 Ottawa Canada Americas | 67.5 | 60.2 | 64.2 | 70.6 | 80.9 | 145.0 | Details |
| 71 | 🇬🇧 Manchester United Kingdom Europe | 66.8 | 61.2 | 64.3 | 81.0 | 96.2 | 87.2 | Details |
| 72 | 🇦🇹 Vienna Austria Europe | 66.8 | 54.3 | 61.2 | 84.4 | 81.5 | 73.9 | Details |
| 73 | 🇦🇺 Adelaide Australia Oceania | 66.5 | 49.1 | 58.7 | 60.5 | 64.2 | 145.0 | Details |
| 74 | 🇩🇪 Cologne Germany Europe | 66.3 | 48.4 | 58.2 | 80.1 | 70.7 | 76.8 | Details |
| 75 | 🇨🇦 Calgary Canada Americas | 66.2 | 58.5 | 62.7 | 69.7 | 80.9 | 145.0 | Details |
| 76 | 🇳🇿 Christchurch New Zealand Oceania | 65.8 | 45.5 | 56.7 | 60.6 | 60.6 | 136.9 | Details |
| 77 | 🇺🇸 Pittsburgh United States Americas | 65.4 | 61.4 | 63.6 | 86.8 | 80.0 | 126.1 | Details |
| 78 | 🇯🇵 Tokyo Japan Asia | 65.2 | 41.1 | 54.4 | 64.5 | 32.3 | 70.1 | Details |
| 79 | 🇮🇪 Galway Ireland Europe | 65.2 | 64.2 | 64.8 | 80.1 | 81.5 | 123.7 | Details |
| 80 | 🇮🇹 Venice Italy Europe | 65.2 | 59.3 | 62.5 | 80.1 | 87.0 | 60.3 | Details |
| 81 | 🇨🇦 Montreal Canada Americas | 64.9 | 55.1 | 60.5 | 67.7 | 73.5 | 145.0 | Details |
| 82 | 🇺🇸 Columbus United States Americas | 64.9 | 59.1 | 62.3 | 86.8 | 75.0 | 127.1 | Details |
| 83 | 🇬🇧 Birmingham United Kingdom Europe | 64.2 | 55.4 | 60.2 | 77.6 | 89.7 | 90.7 | Details |
| 84 | 🇫🇷 Lyon France Europe | 64.1 | 42.0 | 54.2 | 83.0 | 76.1 | 77.7 | Details |
| 85 | 🇺🇸 San Antonio United States Americas | 63.8 | 61.4 | 62.7 | 84.2 | 75.0 | 129.3 | Details |
| 86 | 🇮🇹 Rome Italy Europe | 63.7 | 56.8 | 60.6 | 80.1 | 81.5 | 61.8 | Details |
| 87 | 🇬🇧 Glasgow United Kingdom Europe | 63.5 | 52.4 | 58.5 | 79.3 | 89.7 | 91.7 | Details |
| 88 | 🇺🇸 Indianapolis United States Americas | 63.2 | 56.8 | 60.3 | 85.5 | 75.0 | 130.5 | Details |
| 89 | 🇨🇦 Halifax Canada Americas | 63.1 | 53.5 | 58.8 | 67.7 | 73.5 | 145.0 | Details |
| 90 | 🇨🇦 Edmonton Canada Americas | 62.8 | 48.5 | 56.4 | 66.8 | 73.5 | 145.0 | Details |
| 91 | 🇺🇸 Detroit United States Americas | 62.5 | 56.8 | 59.9 | 84.2 | 75.0 | 131.9 | Details |
| 92 | 🇮🇹 Florence Italy Europe | 62.4 | 51.9 | 57.7 | 77.2 | 81.5 | 63.0 | Details |
| 93 | 🇬🇧 Cardiff United Kingdom Europe | 62.1 | 51.3 | 57.2 | 77.6 | 83.3 | 93.8 | Details |
| 94 | 🇰🇷 Busan South Korea Asia | 62.1 | 25.3 | 45.5 | 74.1 | 31.5 | 50.2 | Details |
| 95 | 🇶🇦 Doha Qatar Asia | 62.1 | 77.4 | 69.0 | 66.5 | 54.9 | 129.0 | Details |
| 96 | 🇮🇪 Limerick Ireland Europe | 61.8 | 56.8 | 59.6 | 77.2 | 76.1 | 130.5 | Details |
| 97 | 🇬🇧 Liverpool United Kingdom Europe | 61.8 | 49.5 | 56.3 | 75.9 | 83.3 | 94.2 | Details |
| 98 | 🇪🇸 Barcelona Spain Europe | 61.5 | 61.8 | 61.6 | 77.2 | 76.1 | 62.8 | Details |
| 99 | 🇫🇷 Strasbourg France Europe | 61.2 | 37.1 | 50.4 | 80.1 | 76.1 | 81.4 | Details |
| 100 | 🇯🇵 Yokohama Japan Asia | 61.2 | 32.3 | 48.2 | 59.4 | 29.0 | 74.6 | Details |
| 101 | 🇫🇷 Marseille France Europe | 60.8 | 38.5 | 50.8 | 80.1 | 70.7 | 81.9 | Details |
| 102 | 🇪🇸 Madrid Spain Europe | 59.8 | 59.3 | 59.6 | 74.4 | 70.7 | 64.6 | Details |
| 103 | 🇫🇷 Lille France Europe | 59.4 | 35.6 | 48.7 | 78.7 | 70.7 | 83.8 | Details |
| 104 | 🇬🇧 Belfast United Kingdom Europe | 59.4 | 46.6 | 53.6 | 74.2 | 83.3 | 98.0 | Details |
| 105 | 🇨🇦 Winnipeg Canada Americas | 59.4 | 43.4 | 52.2 | 64.8 | 66.2 | 145.0 | Details |
| 106 | 🇨🇦 Quebec City Canada Americas | 58.9 | 41.8 | 51.2 | 63.9 | 66.2 | 145.0 | Details |
| 107 | 🇵🇹 Lisbon Portugal Europe | 58.4 | 71.6 | 64.3 | 91.5 | 76.1 | 54.5 | Details |
| 108 | 🇯🇵 Osaka Japan Asia | 58.4 | 27.9 | 44.7 | 54.3 | 27.4 | 78.2 | Details |
| 109 | 🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates Asia | 58.2 | 68.1 | 62.7 | 82.5 | 38.1 | 88.0 | Details |
| 110 | 🇪🇪 Tallinn Estonia Europe | 57.8 | 37.1 | 48.5 | 80.1 | 76.1 | 76.2 | Details |
| 111 | 🇯🇵 Kyoto Japan Asia | 57.1 | 25.8 | 43.0 | 52.6 | 26.5 | 80.0 | Details |
| 112 | 🇹🇼 Taipei Taiwan Asia | 56.4 | 35.0 | 46.8 | 76.9 | 23.1 | 23.9 | Details |
| 113 | 🇧🇠Manama Bahrain Asia | 56.2 | 45.5 | 51.4 | 65.8 | 59.2 | 34.4 | Details |
| 114 | 🇸🇮 Ljubljana Slovenia Europe | 56.1 | 39.5 | 48.6 | 74.4 | 65.2 | 60.5 | Details |
| 115 | 🇯🇵 Nagoya Japan Asia | 55.8 | 23.5 | 41.3 | 50.9 | 25.8 | 81.9 | Details |
| 116 | 🇸🇰 Bratislava Slovakia Europe | 55.4 | 42.0 | 49.4 | 77.2 | 65.2 | 61.3 | Details |
| 117 | 🇸🇦 Riyadh Saudi Arabia Asia | 54.8 | 46.1 | 50.9 | 59.6 | 40.0 | 74.5 | Details |
| 118 | 🇨🇿 Prague Czech Republic Europe | 54.2 | 40.6 | 48.1 | 58.2 | 46.8 | 94.7 | Details |
| 119 | 🇪🇸 Valencia Spain Europe | 54.1 | 44.5 | 49.8 | 71.5 | 65.2 | 71.4 | Details |
| 120 | 🇨🇳 Shanghai China Asia | 54.1 | 51.4 | 52.9 | 108.9 | 26.2 | 29.6 | Details |
| 121 | 🇱🇹 Vilnius Lithuania Europe | 53.9 | 34.6 | 45.2 | 77.2 | 70.7 | 51.9 | Details |
| 122 | 🇪🇸 Malaga Spain Europe | 53.4 | 43.5 | 48.9 | 70.1 | 59.8 | 72.3 | Details |
| 123 | 🇬🇷 Athens Greece Europe | 53.1 | 29.6 | 42.5 | 68.6 | 65.2 | 58.9 | Details |
| 124 | 🇨🇳 Beijing China Asia | 52.8 | 47.0 | 50.2 | 101.6 | 24.1 | 30.3 | Details |
| 125 | 🇰🇼 Kuwait City Kuwait Asia | 52.8 | 46.9 | 50.1 | 63.7 | 48.4 | 34.3 | Details |
| 126 | 🇪🇸 Seville Spain Europe | 52.6 | 39.5 | 46.7 | 68.6 | 59.8 | 73.4 | Details |
| 127 | 🇱🇻 Riga Latvia Europe | 52.4 | 29.6 | 42.1 | 74.4 | 65.2 | 48.5 | Details |
| 128 | 🇯🇵 Sapporo Japan Asia | 52.3 | 19.9 | 37.7 | 47.5 | 24.2 | 87.3 | Details |
| 129 | 🇯🇴 Amman Jordan Asia | 51.4 | 22.4 | 38.4 | 66.7 | 42.3 | 15.0 | Details |
| 130 | 🇵🇹 Porto Portugal Europe | 51.2 | 46.9 | 49.3 | 80.1 | 59.8 | 62.1 | Details |
| 131 | 🇸🇦 Jeddah Saudi Arabia Asia | 51.2 | 38.8 | 45.6 | 56.1 | 33.3 | 79.7 | Details |
| 132 | 🇴🇲 Muscat Oman Asia | 50.5 | 38.3 | 45.0 | 62.3 | 52.6 | 29.6 | Details |
| 133 | đź‡đź‡· Zagreb Croatia Europe | 49.3 | 32.1 | 41.6 | 71.5 | 54.3 | 38.5 | Details |
| 134 | 🇵🇱 Warsaw Poland Europe | 48.9 | 40.9 | 45.3 | 64.5 | 56.3 | 145.0 | Details |
| 135 | 🇨🇳 Shenzhen China Asia | 48.9 | 36.4 | 43.3 | 90.7 | 20.7 | 32.8 | Details |
| 136 | 🇨🇱 Santiago Chile Americas | 48.5 | 20.1 | 35.7 | 49.9 | 44.7 | 64.7 | Details |
| 137 | 🇲🇽 Mexico City Mexico Americas | 46.7 | 41.7 | 44.5 | 70.2 | 50.0 | 73.7 | Details |
| 138 | đź‡đź‡ş Budapest Hungary Europe | 45.6 | 28.6 | 38.0 | 54.1 | 52.1 | 64.2 | Details |
| 139 | 🇨🇳 Guangzhou China Asia | 45.2 | 30.1 | 38.4 | 79.9 | 17.2 | 35.4 | Details |
| 140 | 🇱🇧 Beirut Lebanon Asia | 45.2 | 29.5 | 38.1 | 73.7 | 50.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 141 | 🇵🇱 Krakow Poland Europe | 44.8 | 35.2 | 40.5 | 59.2 | 47.5 | 145.0 | Details |
| 142 | 🇨🇳 Hangzhou China Asia | 44.1 | 28.2 | 36.9 | 76.2 | 17.2 | 36.3 | Details |
| 143 | 🇿🇦 Johannesburg South Africa Africa | 43.5 | 23.7 | 34.6 | 46.3 | 41.2 | 18.3 | Details |
| 144 | 🇵🇱 Gdansk Poland Europe | 43.2 | 33.0 | 38.6 | 57.9 | 43.8 | 145.0 | Details |
| 145 | 🇲🇽 Tijuana Mexico Americas | 43.1 | 35.4 | 39.6 | 62.9 | 44.4 | 79.8 | Details |
| 146 | 🇹🇠Bangkok Thailand Asia | 42.8 | 27.4 | 35.9 | 61.3 | 13.7 | 19.8 | Details |
| 147 | 🇲🇽 Monterrey Mexico Americas | 42.5 | 34.1 | 38.7 | 61.4 | 44.4 | 80.9 | Details |
| 148 | 🇷🇸 Belgrade Serbia Europe | 42.1 | 29.6 | 36.5 | 65.8 | 48.9 | 43.6 | Details |
| 149 | 🇦🇴 Luanda Angola Africa | 42.1 | 20,454.5 | 9,227.7 | 42,105.3 | 27,500.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 150 | 🇲🇽 Cancun Mexico Americas | 41.8 | 30.3 | 36.6 | 59.9 | 41.7 | 82.3 | Details |
| 151 | 🇷🇴 Bucharest Romania Europe | 41.5 | 22.7 | 33.0 | 62.9 | 48.9 | 57.3 | Details |
| 152 | 🇿🇦 Cape Town South Africa Africa | 41.2 | 31.2 | 36.7 | 49.2 | 44.0 | 19.3 | Details |
| 153 | 🇧🇬 Sofia Bulgaria Europe | 39.8 | 24.0 | 32.7 | 65.8 | 50.0 | 77.4 | Details |
| 154 | 🇨🇳 Chengdu China Asia | 39.5 | 20.1 | 30.8 | 65.3 | 13.8 | 40.5 | Details |
| 155 | 🇲🇽 Guadalajara Mexico Americas | 39.2 | 27.8 | 34.1 | 57.0 | 38.9 | 87.8 | Details |
| 156 | 🇿🇼 Harare Zimbabwe Africa | 38.5 | 25.0 | 32.4 | 63.2 | 40.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 157 | 🇹🇠Phuket Thailand Asia | 38.4 | 22.4 | 31.2 | 54.1 | 12.3 | 22.1 | Details |
| 158 | 🇿🇦 Pretoria South Africa Africa | 38.4 | 19.5 | 29.9 | 43.4 | 37.1 | 20.8 | Details |
| 159 | 🇳🇦 Windhoek Namibia Africa | 37.9 | 340.9 | 174.3 | 736.8 | 600.0 | 145.0 | Details |
| 160 | 🇵🇠Manila Philippines Asia | 37.5 | 21.9 | 30.5 | 49.9 | 17.2 | 15.0 | Details |
| 161 | 🇲🇽 Merida Mexico Americas | 36.8 | 23.2 | 30.7 | 52.6 | 36.1 | 93.5 | Details |
| 162 | 🇨🇳 Xian China Asia | 36.8 | 16.9 | 27.8 | 58.1 | 12.4 | 43.5 | Details |
| 163 | 🇿🇦 Durban South Africa Africa | 36.8 | 18.0 | 28.3 | 41.9 | 35.7 | 21.7 | Details |
| 164 | 🇰🇠Phnom Penh Cambodia Asia | 36.5 | 27.3 | 32.4 | 57.9 | 25.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 165 | 🇹🇷 Istanbul Turkey Asia | 36.5 | 33.1 | 35.0 | 51.8 | 42.4 | 24.8 | Details |
| 166 | 🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Asia | 36.2 | 21.3 | 29.5 | 43.7 | 16.0 | 145.0 | Details |
| 167 | 🇸🇳 Dakar Senegal Africa | 36.2 | 12,727.3 | 5,747.2 | 28,947.4 | 17,500.0 | 145.0 | Details |
| 168 | 🇲🇦 Casablanca Morocco Africa | 35.8 | 19.3 | 28.4 | 47.8 | 22.7 | 145.0 | Details |
| 169 | 🇲🇽 Puebla Mexico Americas | 35.4 | 21.5 | 29.1 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 97.2 | Details |
| 170 | 🇻🇳 Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Asia | 34.8 | 23.6 | 29.8 | 47.4 | 12.0 | 16.1 | Details |
| 171 | 🇬🇠Accra Ghana Africa | 34.5 | 190.9 | 104.9 | 368.4 | 250.0 | 125.2 | Details |
| 172 | 🇧🇼 Gaborone Botswana Africa | 34.2 | 204.5 | 110.8 | 473.7 | 375.0 | 29.4 | Details |
| 173 | 🇮🇩 Jakarta Indonesia Asia | 34.1 | 18.7 | 27.2 | 46.6 | 11.1 | 18.9 | Details |
| 174 | 🇱🇦 Vientiane Laos Asia | 33.4 | 21.8 | 28.2 | 52.6 | 20.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 175 | 🇲🇦 Marrakech Morocco Africa | 33.1 | 16.1 | 25.5 | 42.5 | 20.2 | 145.0 | Details |
| 176 | 🇮🇩 Bali Indonesia Asia | 32.8 | 20.1 | 27.1 | 43.3 | 9.5 | 19.6 | Details |
| 177 | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai Thailand Asia | 32.5 | 14.9 | 24.6 | 44.7 | 8.2 | 26.1 | Details |
| 178 | 🇻🇳 Hanoi Vietnam Asia | 32.4 | 20.0 | 26.8 | 43.2 | 10.0 | 17.3 | Details |
| 179 | 🇵🇠Cebu Philippines Asia | 32.1 | 14.9 | 24.4 | 38.6 | 12.9 | 15.0 | Details |
| 180 | 🇰🇪 Nairobi Kenya Africa | 32.1 | 16.8 | 25.2 | 36.4 | 23.1 | 15.0 | Details |
| 181 | 🇲🇾 Penang Malaysia Asia | 31.8 | 15.5 | 24.5 | 36.4 | 12.8 | 145.0 | Details |
| 182 | 🇰🇠Siem Reap Cambodia Asia | 31.2 | 19.1 | 25.8 | 47.4 | 20.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 183 | 🇹🇷 Izmir Turkey Asia | 31.2 | 22.7 | 27.4 | 44.7 | 36.4 | 29.0 | Details |
| 184 | 🇳🇬 Abuja Nigeria Africa | 31.2 | 16.7 | 24.7 | 23.7 | 13.3 | 15.0 | Details |
| 185 | 🇹🇷 Ankara Turkey Asia | 29.8 | 19.3 | 25.1 | 41.5 | 33.3 | 30.4 | Details |
| 186 | 🇮🇩 Surabaya Indonesia Asia | 29.5 | 12.1 | 21.7 | 36.6 | 7.9 | 21.8 | Details |
| 187 | 🇹🇿 Dar es Salaam Tanzania Africa | 29.4 | 38,636.4 | 17,402.6 | 84,210.5 | 45,000.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 188 | 🇻🇳 Da Nang Vietnam Asia | 29.2 | 15.5 | 23.0 | 37.9 | 8.0 | 19.2 | Details |
| 189 | 🇷🇼 Kigali Rwanda Africa | 28.5 | 17,272.7 | 7,788.4 | 34,210.5 | 21,000.0 | 145.0 | Details |
| 190 | 🇳🇬 Lagos Nigeria Africa | 28.4 | 13.6 | 21.7 | 21.1 | 11.7 | 15.0 | Details |
| 191 | 🇺🇿 Tashkent Uzbekistan Asia | 27.8 | 20.5 | 24.5 | 50.0 | 25.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 192 | 🇰🇪 Mombasa Kenya Africa | 27.5 | 11.2 | 20.2 | 28.3 | 17.3 | 15.0 | Details |
| 193 | 🇮🇳 Bangalore India Asia | 27.1 | 15.1 | 21.7 | 34.3 | 17.8 | 15.0 | Details |
| 194 | 🇺🇬 Kampala Uganda Africa | 26.8 | 54,545.5 | 24,560.2 | 110,526.3 | 60,000.0 | 145.0 | Details |
| 195 | 🇹🇳 Tunis Tunisia Africa | 26.4 | 34.1 | 29.9 | 92.1 | 60.0 | 79.6 | Details |
| 196 | 🇮🇳 Delhi India Asia | 26.2 | 13.4 | 20.4 | 31.1 | 17.8 | 15.0 | Details |
| 197 | 🇩🇿 Algiers Algeria Africa | 25.8 | 1,454.5 | 668.7 | 3,684.2 | 2,250.0 | 27.1 | Details |
| 198 | 🇮🇳 Hyderabad India Asia | 24.8 | 11.8 | 19.0 | 28.7 | 14.8 | 15.0 | Details |
| 199 | 🇮🇳 Mumbai India Asia | 24.7 | 31.5 | 27.8 | 37.4 | 29.6 | 15.0 | Details |
| 200 | 🇮🇳 Pune India Asia | 24.2 | 10.8 | 18.2 | 28.0 | 14.2 | 15.0 | Details |
| 201 | 🇪🇹 Addis Ababa Ethiopia Africa | 24.1 | 1,000.0 | 463.3 | 2,236.8 | 1,250.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 202 | 🇮🇳 Chennai India Asia | 23.9 | 10.2 | 17.7 | 27.4 | 13.0 | 15.0 | Details |
| 203 | 🇪🇬 Cairo Egypt Africa | 23.4 | 9.0 | 16.9 | 20.8 | 18.8 | 145.0 | Details |
| 204 | 🇮🇳 Ahmedabad India Asia | 22.1 | 8.1 | 15.8 | 24.9 | 11.8 | 15.2 | Details |
| 205 | 🇮🇳 Kolkata India Asia | 21.5 | 7.5 | 15.2 | 23.4 | 10.7 | 15.6 | Details |
| 206 | 🇪🇬 Alexandria Egypt Africa | 20.8 | 6.2 | 14.2 | 17.5 | 14.6 | 25.4 | Details |
Understanding the Index: Calculation Methodology & Formulas
All metrics in this index are relative to New York City (NYC), which serves as the international benchmark baseline of 100.0%. Data points are aggregated from consumer price indices calibrated with authoritative benchmarks from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Eurostat HICP, and the World Bank International Comparison Program.
What Is the Cost of Living Index (Excl. Rent)?
Direct Answer: The Cost of Living Index is a relative percentage indicator comparing consumer basket prices across groceries, dining, public transit, and home utilities against New York City.
- Excludes: Accommodation (apartment rent and mortgage payments).
- Interpretation: An index of 120 means goods are 20% more expensive than NYC.
What Is the Rent Index?
Direct Answer: The Rent Index estimates the market price of renting 1-bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments in both city centres and suburban zones compared to New York City rental prices.
- Baseline: NYC average 1-bed city centre rent (~$3,850/mo) = 100.0.
- Interpretation: An index of 45 means rents are ~55% cheaper than NYC.
What Is the Cost of Living Plus Rent Index?
Direct Answer: This index blends everyday consumer expenses with apartment rental prices to provide a holistic measure of total household monthly cost.
- Formula:
(Cost of Living Index × 0.55) + (Rent Index × 0.45) - Application: Ideal for relocation planning when paying rent in both cities.
How Local Purchasing Power Index Works
Direct Answer: Local Purchasing Power measures the relative buying capacity of an average local net take-home salary for typical goods and services in that city compared to NYC.
- Interpretation: A value of 120 means residents can buy 20% more goods than New Yorkers.
- Formula:
(Local Net Salary / NYC Salary) ÷ (Local COL / 100) × 100
Who Should Use This Index and Practical Applications
For Expats & Relocators
Determine whether your prospective job offer covers the real cost differences in housing, healthcare, groceries, and schooling before signing a relocation contract.
For Digital Nomads
Identify world metros with high local purchasing power and low rent indices (e.g. Da Nang, Chiang Mai, Lisbon) to maximize savings while earning in strong currencies.
For HR & Compensation Teams
Benchmark location-based salary adjustments, cost-of-living allowances (COLA), and international hardship premiums with transparent, periodic data.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Cost of Living Index
The Cost of Living Index is a standardized numerical metric that measures relative consumer price differences across global cities against a reference benchmark (New York City = 100.0). It tracks weighted average costs for consumer goods including groceries, restaurants, utilities, and transportation, excluding housing rent.
According to the Cost of Living Index 2026 Mid-Year, Zurich (Switzerland) ranks as the world's most expensive city with a Cost of Living Index of 122.4, followed by Basel (Switzerland) (119.5) and Geneva (Switzerland) (118.2). An index of 122.4 indicates that consumer expenses are approximately 22.4% higher than New York City.
Metros such as Alexandria (Egypt) (index: 20.8), Kolkata (India) (index: 21.5), and Ahmedabad (India) (index: 22.1) rank among the most affordable cities globally, with living costs approximately 79.2% lower than New York City.
Historical snapshots (such as 2026 Mid-Year, 2025, and 2024) are published periodically to capture fixed economic baseline moments. Because inflation, currency exchange rates, and rental markets fluctuate continually, historical releases provide researchers and businesses with consistent point-in-time reference benchmarks.
The Cost of Living Index measures how expensive prices are in a city, while the Local Purchasing Power Index measures what average local salaries can actually buy. A city might have high prices but even higher local salaries (resulting in strong purchasing power), or low prices but very low local wages (resulting in low purchasing power).
Yes. By comparing the Cost of Living Plus Rent Index between your origin and destination cities, you can calculate the exact gross and net income required to preserve your existing standard of living using our Relocation Salary Calculator.