Which is the most expensive city to live in?

The Economist Intelligence Unit Worldwide Cost of Living survey compares the prices of more than 200 goods and services across about 170 cities. In 2024, Singapore and Zurich shared first place, with Singapore topping the list for the ninth time in 12 years. Mercer’s ranking for employers moving staff abroad has placed Hong Kong first several times, driven by extreme housing costs. Singapore is especially pricey for cars, because buyers must win a Certificate of Entitlement that can cost over 100,000 Singapore dollars before paying for the car itself. At the other end, cities such as Damascus and Tehran are consistently ranked the cheapest.