Cost of living
The ten highest costs of living, and what a salary there actually has to cover.
Numbeo Cost of Living Index2026 mid-year
A high salary in an expensive country can leave you sending less money home than a modest salary somewhere cheaper. Always compare the two together.
135.8
Cost of living index (New York = 100)
Nearly everything is shipped in, and priced accordingly
119.9
Cost of living index (New York = 100)
109.8
Cost of living index (New York = 100)
The most expensive country you would realistically migrate to for work
| Rank | Country | Cost of living index (New York = 100) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th place | Solomon Islands | 104.1 | |
| 5th place | TurkmenistanHigh prices driven by currency controls, not by wealth | 101.6 | High prices driven by currency controls, not by wealth |
| 6th place | Bahamas | 101.3 | |
| 7th place | 97.6 | ||
| 8th place | Jersey | 91.1 | |
| 9th place | SingaporeCar ownership alone can cost more than a Colombo house | 90.8 | Car ownership alone can cost more than a Colombo house |
| 10th place | 89.6 |
Numbeo Cost of Living Index
2026 mid-year
See the full published listThis is information, not legal or immigration advice. Rules and figures change without notice. Confirm anything you plan to act on with the official authority for that country, and check your own position with the eligibility checker.
Low cost of living without giving up safety, healthcare or a working internet connection.
Rent, transport and food for one student, per month, tuition excluded.
What a one-bedroom flat in the city centre actually costs, per month.
