Curious about the monthly cost of living in your country? While averages can give a general idea, it’s important to remember that these figures can vary widely depending on the city, lifestyle choices, and the broader economic conditions of each country. Additionally, since these rankings are based on averages, they may be skewed by cities with a higher concentration of wealthy residents.
Understanding the Numbers Behind Cost of Living Estimates
The cost of living rankings are based on various sources that aggregate data from multiple regions and demographics. These include:
- Numbeo: A leading database for cost of living data, Numbeo provides user-contributed information on monthly expenses around the globe, offering detailed insights into everyday costs.
- Expatistan: This comparison tool collects and compares living expenses from different countries and cities, helping users understand the price differences across the world.
- World Bank: While not exclusively focused on cost of living, the World Bank provides broader economic indicators that can significantly impact living costs, such as inflation and purchasing power parity.
Cost of living (monthly expenses) for one person:
🇨🇭 Switzerland: $3,900
🇳🇴 Norway: $3,200
🇮🇸 Iceland: $3,000
🇯🇵 Japan: $2,800
🇱🇺 Luxembourg: $2,700
🇩🇰 Denmark: $2,650
🇸🇬 Singapore: $2,600
🇮🇪 Ireland: $2,500
🇺🇸 USA: $2,450
🇭🇰 Hong Kong: $2,400
🇫🇮 Finland: $2,350
🇦🇪 UAE: $2,300
🇬🇧 UK: $2,250
🇸🇪 Sweden: $2,200
🇩🇪 Germany: $2,150
🇧🇪 Belgium: $2,100
🇫🇷 France: $2,050
🇳🇱 Netherlands: $2,000
🇨🇦 Canada: $1,950
🇦🇹 Austria: $1,900
🇦🇺 Australia: $1,850
🇳🇿 New Zealand: $1,800
🇮🇹 Italy: $1,750
🇪🇸 Spain: $1,700
🇰🇷 South Korea: $1,650
🇮🇱 Israel: $1,600
🇵🇹 Portugal: $1,550
🇸🇮 Slovenia: $1,500
🇵🇱 Poland: $1,450
🇨🇿 Czech Republic: $1,400
🇭🇺 Hungary: $1,350
🇲🇹 Malta: $1,300
🇬🇷 Greece: $1,250
🇹🇷 Turkey: $1,200
🇧🇷 Brazil: $1,150
🇲🇽 Mexico: $1,100
🇹🇭 Thailand: $1,050
🇦🇷 Argentina: $1,000
🇲🇾 Malaysia: $950
🇵🇭 Philippines: $900
🇻🇳 Vietnam: $850
🇮🇳 India: $800
🇮🇩 Indonesia: $750
🇵🇰 Pakistan: $700
🇳🇬 Nigeria: $650
🇪🇬 Egypt: $600
🇧🇩 Bangladesh: $550
🇰🇪 Kenya: $500
🇺🇬 Uganda: $450
Key Takeaway
This is a yardstick for measurement on how you compare to averages in other cities. While these sources offer a useful snapshot of living expenses, it’s essential to consider local variables and personal lifestyle when estimating your actual monthly costs. Whether you’re budgeting for the next month or planning a move, understanding these factors will give you a clearer picture of what to expect financially.