You have never experienced anything like living in a metropolis. Access to a variety of cultural offerings, such as museums, galleries, dining establishments, and pubs, is simple. There is a clear reason why cities like Boston, Massachusetts, Shanghai, China, and Paris, China, are in high demand. However, living in a city comes at a price.
Researchers looked at the cost of housing, transportation, food, clothing, and other requirements to determine the places in the world that will be the most expensive to live in 2023. The top ten most expensive cities in the world are listed below in case you are looking for a new place to call home, looking for trip inspiration, or are just interested. Learn about the fascinating histories, cultures, and inhabitants who have contributed to these places’ allure.
- China’s Hong Kong
Hong Kong outranks every other city on this list mostly due to the sheer quantity of people who call it home. The city is home to nearly 7 million people, so the high cost of living isn’t just a result of the great demand for housing and the variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities.
- Switzerland, Zürich
You’ll realize why Zürich is one of the most expensive cities in the world once you visit. The financial center, which is situated at the northernmost point of Lake Zurich, is well-known for its lakeside promenades, posh shops, and delicious chocolate. This city has the most costly rent in all of Switzerland, costing approximately $2,000 a year for a one-bedroom flat.
- Switzerland’s Geneva
The highest water fountain in the world, the Jet d’Eau, is located in Geneva, which is also known for having many upscale eateries and shops. Such opulence, however, is not inexpensive. The average monthly cost of living for a single individual, including accommodation, food, and transportation, is about $3,500.
- Switzerland’s Basel
Every June, the biggest art market in the world is held in Basel, the oldest university city in Switzerland. The Rhine River runs through the city, which is close to the Swiss borders with France and Germany. You may rent a place to live in a community rich in history, creativity, and culture for about $3,000 per month.
- Switzerland’s Bern
Due to its spectacular medieval architecture, lovely fountains, and extensive history, Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is frequently included in rankings of the top ten most expensive cities in the world. Because of how significant it is, UNESCO has named it a World Heritage Site. The average weekly cost of living there for a family of four is close to $6,000, and the average monthly cost of living is absurdly high at over $2,500 because of rent and other necessities of life.
- Israel’s Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is home to stunning beaches, a buzzing nightlife, and internationally acclaimed food. But all that exhilaration comes with a hefty price. The largest city in Israel, Tel-Aviv, is known for being a terrific place to have fun, as well as a place with a rich cultural legacy and a welcoming attitude toward tourists. However, real estate is expensive, with a one-bedroom flat renting for $1,725 on average.
- New York, New York City
A huge city is defined as having high costs, a large population, and flashing signs. With rises of 3.25 percent for one-year leases and 5 percent or more for two-year leases, the average rent in New York City has climbed at its fastest rate in almost ten years. The average monthly rent in May 2022 was $4,000. It surpassed $5,000 in June of that same year, setting a new high.
- The city of Singapore
Between 2014 and 2020, Singapore was named the most expensive city by the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living report six times. Its small size limits the amount of usable land. Because there are fewer homes available and there is increasing demand, the real estate market is extremely competitive. Since there are so few natural resources in the city, electricity, natural gas, and water are all imported.
- Japan’s Tokyo
Japan’s capital city of Tokyo and the entire nation are well known for having an extremely high cost of living levels. In a thriving city that consistently ranks among the top 10 most expensive places to live, residents first spend the majority of their money on rent, then on the expense of owning a car and using public transportation.
- Beijing, China
Western cities are substantially more expensive than Beijing. Due to the high demand for housing in the country’s cultural and political center, it has one of the highest costs of livings in China. Just the growth in population over the past ten years has had a substantial impact on growing prices, with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat more than tripling from $360 to $700.