If you live in a city, you know there are are a lot of advantages. There are a lot of job opportunities, a lot of places to eat, dependable public transportation, and numerous well-known theatres, clubs, and museums. Of course, the old axiom is true. “Nothing in life is free.”

The world’s best and biggest cities come with a price. Living in these world-famous metropolises, rent is high, restaurants can charge a hefty price for a meal, and paying $20.00 for an adult beverage is often the norm. According to info from the EIU or Economist Intelligence Unit, the cost of living for those living in the big city has dramatically risen in the past five years. Their economists also add that the cost of living “may continue to rise in 2022.”

While they expect to see “wages increase in many sectors”, they also believe that there will be an increase in “interest rates…to stem inflation.” The official head of Worldwide Cost of Living at EIU, Upasana Dutt, also told the press that they compared more than “400 individual prices” on over 200 services and products “in 173 cities to determine the world’s most expensive” cities. He noted the “[p]rices were converted into U.S. dollars and compared” to those of the study’s “base city, New York City,” which was assigned “an index score of 100.”  

Thus, we can see how the official cost of living in an American metropolis such as New York City compares to that of such international cities as Hong Kong and Paris. Here then, are the world’s 10 most expensive cities in which to live.

The World’s 10 Most Expensive Cities To Live In

1.  Tel Aviv, Israel

This UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site is actually the most populous metropolis in the Gush Dan area of Israel. This sun-soaked city is located on the Mediterranean coast. It was slotted in at number five last year.

This year, however, it climbed to the top slot with an official “cost of living score” (CLS) of 106. This is due to the strength of the country’s shekel versus the US dollar. Additionally, 2021 saw a significant rise in the cost of both transportation and groceries.

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Paris, France

Paris, the City of Lights, is not only the capital of France, it is also one of Europe’s major centers of arts, commerce, diplomacy, fashion, finance, gastronomy, and science. Living here in the home of the iconic Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Centre Pompidou, and the Champs-Élysées, and the Louvre is not cheap. Paris received a cost-of-living score of 104. At least Paris dropped from the top slot to number two for those who wouldn’t live anywhere else.

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Singapore, Southeast Asia

Travelers often praise Singapore for its clean buildings and streets. Ah, but it costs a pretty penny to maintain the most immaculate metropolis on the planet, people. This city actually tied with Paris and scored 104 thus earning it the dubious honor of being “the most expensive city” in all of Southeast Asia.

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Zurich, Switzerland 

Is anyone truly surprised that the planet’s official center for banking and finance would be on this list of most expensive places to live? Also the country’s largest city, it is nestled in north-central Switzerland at the mountain-bound northwestern end of lovely Lake Zurich. With a cost-of-living score of 103, this place is as costly as it is beautiful.

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Hong Kong, China

Found on the eastern Pearl River Delta in South China, Hong Kong, a “special administrative region,” scrapes into the Top Five most expensive cities. Its 2021 cost of living score is 101. This is due to several factors. Perhaps the most interesting one is that Hong Kong has the most expensive gas prices on the planet. The average cost was reported to be $2.50 per liter. (That’s almost $10.00 a gallon to US residents now mourning lower gas prices.)

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New York City, USA

“Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today…”  Who could blame you? The Big Apple, the survey’s benchmark, has a score of 100. It is officially the most populous city in the USA. Situated at the southern tip of New York state, it’s also the largest metropolitan area and has appeared on this list for quite some time. The main reason it practically lives on this list is the high cost of almost everything from gas to groceries.

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Geneva, Switzerland

The second-most populous city in Switzerland, Geneva is another Swiss city to make it onto this infamous top 10 list. Perhaps best known as the home of the Red Cross and the United Nations of Europe, this pricey place has a current cost of living rating of 99. Also a banking hub, it is situated on Lake Geneva close to the border between Switzerland and France.  

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Copenhagen, Denmark

The northern, water-bound city of Copenhagen is the country’s capital and most populous city. It chalked up a score of 97 on the cost-of-living study. Yes, the cost of housing and food is high here. Nevertheless, this ranking seems a bit odd because many of the locals prefer to ride bicycles rather than drive an automobile. Wouldn’t that make the cost of gas and transportation lower and have an impact?

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Los Angeles, USA

Los Angeles is California’s largest city. It is also the second-largest city in the USA. Luckily for the city and the state, beach lovers, aspiring actors, and wannabe rock stars will probably always flock to this Southern California city, even though it scored a 96. (New York City is only four points higher!)  

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Osaka, Japan

Osaka is reportedly the third most populous city in Japan. Many readers might expect Tokyo to have been in the top 10. Nevertheless, according to the statistics, when it comes to the cost of living, Osaka “wins.” With a rating of 94, this city actually overtakes the nation’s capital. The price of many goods and services is said to be “sky-high.” Oh well, if you’re budget-conscious but still find yourself here, Osaka’s nigh-iconic street food is reported to be “fairly affordable.” 

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